What The Greening of Detroit does

The Greening of Detroit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1989 by Elizabeth Gordon Sachs, headquartered at 13000 West McNichols Road in Detroit, Michigan. The organization's mission is to inspire sustainable growth of a healthy urban community through trees, green spaces, healthy living, education, training, and job opportunities. Its core operations center on urban forestry: since 1989 it has planted more than 177,000 trees across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, supported by the 72-acre Walter Meyers Nursery in Rouge Park, which produces locally-adapted saplings for planting throughout the service area. Beyond tree planting, the organization operates a Green Infrastructure division that delivers community forestry, stormwater management projects, landscaping services, and tree nursery operations, and it participates as co-leader of the Land+Water WORKS coalition on water stewardship education tied to Detroit's drainage charge program.

The organization's programmatic surface extends well beyond tree planting into workforce development and youth programming. The Detroit Conservation Corps (launched 2010) provides adult workforce training with certifications as Certified Landscape Technician and Certified Tree Artisan, including stipends up to $600, and has trained more than 1,000 Detroiters facing employment barriers. The Green Corps youth program (launched 1998) provides summer employment and environmental education for ages 14-18. The Citizen Forester program trains community volunteers to lead planting events, and the organization maintains Lafayette Greens, a downtown urban garden acquired from Compuware in 2014 that serves as both a community green space and an event venue.

Revenue mechanics are diversified across donations, tiered annual memberships ($60-$2,520), Gift of a Tree contributions ($75 per tree), earned revenue from green infrastructure services to businesses and government, workshops and classes ($5-$50), event venue rental at Lafayette Greens, and grants from funders such as the Americana Foundation and Mahindra North America. Distribution is community-led: tree plantings rely on volunteer mobilization, with corporate volunteer groups from DTE Energy, Ford, General Motors, Rocket Mortgage, and Compuware participating alongside individual volunteers recruited through the website, email newsletter, and community outreach. Annual events such as Sip & Taste Garden Party drive fundraising.

Name

The Greening of Detroit

Legal name

The Greening of Detroit

Website

https://greeningofdetroit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Greening of Detroit is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1989 that plants trees, runs workforce development and youth programs, and operates a 72-acre nursery across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. It serves Detroit residents through urban forestry, green infrastructure services, and job training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Forestry and Environmental Non-Profit Services

NAICS

Forest Nurseries and Gathering of Forest Products (1132), Landscaping Services (561730), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL), Tree Care & Arborist Services (BPABADAD), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

Keywords

• Urban forestry
• Tree planting services
• Green infrastructure
• Workforce development
• Environmental education

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Annual membership programs at multiple tiers providing ongoing supporter engagement. Direct donations from individuals and organizations.
2. Gift of a Tree Program: One-time contribution of $75 per gift of tree purchase, with trees planted annually in October grove plantings
3. Workforce Development Training: Adult workforce training programs providing landscape and tree artisan certification, including stipends up to $600 for participants
4. Event Space Rental: Lafayette Greens venue available for weddings, corporate meetings, and special events
5. Classes and Workshops: Fees for educational programming including Essential Oils ($10), Making Herbal Teas ($5), Painting classes ($50), and Natural Dye workshops ($25)
6. Green Infrastructure Services: Lawn mowing and landscaping services provided to businesses and government entities

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Greening of Detroit is a non-profit organization that plants and maintains urban trees, develops and operates urban green spaces, and runs workforce development programs for Detroit-area residents. Revenue-generating offerings include community tree planting services, landscaping and green infrastructure services, adult and youth workforce training certifications, an urban garden and event venue, an annual tree giveaway, donation and membership programs, and fee-based workshops and classes.

Product overview

The Greening of Detroit is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of environmental programs centered on urban forestry and community greening. Core offerings include tree planting services across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, supplemented by workforce development through the Detroit Conservation Corps (adult training) and Green Corps youth program. The organization operates Green Infrastructure services including stormwater management and the Walter Meyers tree nursery. Supporting programs include the Citizen Forester volunteer training program, Gift of a Tree donation program, and membership tiers. The organization maintains Lafayette Greens, an award-winning urban garden that serves as both a green space and event venue, hosting workshops and classes. Additional offerings include community tree planting applications and annual events like the Sip & Taste Garden Party and tree giveaway programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Detroit Conservation Corps: Adult workforce development training program offering Certified Tree Artisan and Certified Landscaping courses
• Green Corps
• Citizen Foresters
• Gift of a Tree
• Lafayette Greens
• Sip & Taste Garden Party

Products and services

• Tree Planting Tree planting services across Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, conducted during spring and fall seasons with volunteer support and the Citizen Forester volunteer network.
• Green Infrastructure Services Community forestry, stormwater management projects, landscaping services, and tree nursery operations at the 72-acre Walter Meyers Nursery for businesses and government entities.
• Detroit Conservation Corps (Adult Workforce Training) Adult workforce development program providing certifications in Tree Artisan and Certified Landscape Technician, with job readiness training for Detroiters with employment barriers; graduates may earn stipends of up to $600.
• Green Corps Youth Program Summer youth employment program for ages 14-18 (with broader participation noted for ages 14-21) teaching environmental stewardship, urban forestry skills, and life skills.
• Gift of a Tree Tree donation program allowing individuals to contribute $75 per tree toward planting groves in Detroit, with commemorative certificates and annual memorial plantings.
• Membership Program Annual membership program with six tiers (Root $60, Trunk $120, Branch $240, Leaf $540, Canopy $1,020, Growth Fund Society $2,520) available as annual or monthly subscriptions, providing benefits such as sapling support, educational programs, merchandise, event tickets, and nursery discounts.
• Lafayette Greens Award-winning urban garden in downtown Detroit featuring 35 raised beds, pollinator habitat, community programming, and event venue rental. Open April-September, Monday-Friday 9am-7pm.
• Lafayette Greens Event Space Rental Event venue rental at the Lafayette Greens urban garden for weddings, corporate meetings, and special events, booked via [email protected].
• Workshops and Classes Educational programming at Lafayette Greens including Essential Oils ($10), Making Herbal Teas ($5), Natural Dye ($25), Painting ($50), mushroom cultivation, and other gardening, health, and wellness classes.
• Community Tree Planting Service Application-based service for community groups to request neighborhood tree plantings, with a 12-18 month project timeline.

Quantifiable outcome

• 177,000+ trees planted since 1989
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kenneth Weikal Landscape ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned and created the award-winning Lafayette Greens urban garden in downtown Detroit
• CompuwarecoreOthersDonated Lafayette Greens urban garden to The Greening of Detroit in 2014
• Fort Street Presbyterian Church - Open Door ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DIG (Detroiters in the Garden) community education program at Lafayette Greens
• Americana FoundationminorOthersGenerous supporter of Lafayette Greens garden operations
• Mahindra North AmericaminorOthersGenerous supporter of Lafayette Greens garden operations
• Detroit Future CitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader in Land+Water WORKS coalition providing educational resources about water stewardship, conservation, and Detroit's drainage charge program
• Land+Water WORKS CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of 10 independent non-profits providing Detroit residents with resources for environmental stewardship. Greening serves as curriculum development co-leader
• Michigan State University ExtensioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU MG Approved Project designation for Master Gardener volunteer hours at Lafayette Greens

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TreePeople: Los Angeles-based non-profit focused on urban forestry, tree planting, and environmental education; operates a major tree nursery and youth programs — directly comparable scope and urban forestry mission.
• Trees Atlanta: Atlanta-based non-profit focused on urban tree planting, canopy restoration, and green space stewardship — comparable mission, volunteer-driven planting model, and urban forestry focus.
• City Parks Foundation: NYC-based non-profit providing environmental education, urban forestry, and parks programming — comparable in combining workforce training, youth programs, and community tree planting.
• Casey Trees: Washington DC-based non-profit focused on urban tree planting, canopy restoration, and workforce development — directly comparable in mission, programs (planting, education, advocacy), and operating model to The Greening of Detroit.
• Forest ReLeaf of Missouri: Missouri-based non-profit operating tree nurseries and urban/community tree planting programs — closely comparable model combining nursery production with planting, education, and volunteer engagement.

Broad incumbents

• American Forests: National non-profit focused on forest restoration and urban tree canopy at scale — operates more broadly across many cities and federal policy, comparable in urban forestry mission but at a much larger scope.
• Keep America Beautiful: National non-profit focused on litter prevention, recycling, and beautification including tree planting — overlapping mission in urban greening and community engagement at a much broader national scale.

Regional players

• Baltimore Green Space: Baltimore-based non-profit supporting community-managed green spaces — comparable focus on urban greening and community gardens but in a different mid-Atlantic geography.

Others

• Davey Tree Expert Co. Large commercial tree care and environmental services company that publicly endorses Greening of Detroit workforce graduates — a key employer partner and ecosystem participant rather than a direct peer.
• Michigan State University Extension: State extension program that designates Greening of Detroit's Lafayette Greens as an MSU Master Gardener Approved Project — an enabling/credentialing partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheGreeningofDetroit
• Xx.com/GreeningDetroit

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Greening of Detroit