Sustainable Seattle
Sustainable Seattle is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that runs the Interweave community-led sustainability accelerator and a Fiscal Sponsorship program serving BIPOC and frontline organizers in the Puget Sound region.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Sustainable Seattle does
Sustainable Seattle (S2) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1991 and headquartered at 7511 Greenwood Ave N, Suite 121, Seattle, WA. Its mission is to build long-term resilience for the Puget Sound region through community-led environmental, economic, and equity initiatives. The organization's primary offerings are two programs: Interweave, a community-led sustainability accelerator organized into five thematic tracks (Soil & Water Health and Justice, Just Circular Communities, Healing with the Environment, Community Resilience Practitioners, and Community Reclamation Commons), and Fiscal Sponsorship, which provides 501(c)(3) administrative services to emerging community projects with a $20,000 minimum fundraising goal. The organization also operates the Soil Health & Justice Initiative (SHJI) coalition and hosts recurring community events including Green Drinks, Community Coffee meetups, the Sustainability Leadership Awards (Campfire Stories), and PNW Climate Week programming.
The underlying technology base is intentionally lightweight: the website runs on WordPress with BoldGrid and DreamHost hosting, and the organization's most cited technical asset is the S2 Indicators for a Sustainable Community framework developed in 1991, which was emulated by over 90 cities globally and recognized with a United Nations award. No proprietary software, API, or mobile application is offered. Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model consisting of donations (via the givebutter.com platform), event sponsorships (S2 Seminar Series, monthly meet-ups, PNW Resilience Summit, Sustainability Leadership Awards), fiscal-sponsorship administrative fees, and in-kind contributions. The organization serves Seattle community members, BIPOC and frontline community organizers (the primary persona segment), and emerging sustainability professionals, with co-directors Dr. Natalie Garcia and Em Piro leading a staff of 11–50 supported by a Board of Directors that includes Dr. Melanie Malone, Dr. Jessica Hernandez, and Jasleena Grewal.
Sustainable Seattle firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sustainable Seattle
- Legal name
- Sustainable Seattle
- Website
- https://sustainableseattle.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sustainable Seattle is a Seattle-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that runs the Interweave community-led sustainability accelerator and a Fiscal Sponsorship program serving BIPOC and frontline organizers in the Puget Sound region.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sustainable Seattle industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Sustainability Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)
Keywords
Where Sustainable Seattle is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sustainable Seattle business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: S2 relies on donations from supporters to fund community programs. The organization accepts one-time and recurring donations through their givebutter.com platform.
- Fiscal Sponsorship Services: Provides administrative services to emerging community projects using S2's tax-exempt status for fundraising purposes. Projects require a minimum $20k fundraising goal.
- Event Sponsorships: Customizable sponsorships for events including the S2 Seminar Series, monthly sustainability meet-ups, PNW Resilience Summit, and Sustainability Leadership Awards.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | In-Kind Contributions |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
Sustainable Seattle product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sustainable Seattle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that delivers community-led sustainability programs in the Puget Sound Region, including the Interweave multi-track sustainability accelerator, fiscal sponsorship for emerging grassroots projects, and the Soil Health & Justice Initiative. Its primary sellable offerings are the Interweave accelerator (with five specialized tracks) and Fiscal Sponsorship services that provide administrative and tax-exempt infrastructure to emerging community projects.
Product overview
Sustainable Seattle (S2) operates as a community-centered nonprofit organization rather than a technology company. Its core offerings consist of two main programs: Interweave, a community-led sustainability accelerator that weaves together collective impact and capacity building frameworks, and Fiscal Sponsorship, which provides administrative services for emerging community projects. Within Interweave, S2 organizes multiple program tracks including Soil & Water Health and Justice, Just Circular Communities, Healing with the Environment, Community Resilience Practitioners, and Community Reclamation Commons. The organization also hosts recurring community events including Community Coffee meetups, Green Drinks networking events, and the annual Sustainability Leadership Awards (Campfire Stories). The Soil Health & Justice Initiative represents a key coalition focus area. S2 does not offer a technology product, API, or software platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Interweave: Community-led sustainability accelerator that weaves together collective impact and capacity building frameworks for lasting, systems-level sustainability action.
- Fiscal Sponsorship
- Soil Health & Justice Initiative (SHJI)
- Sustainability Leadership Awards
Products and services
- Interweave Community-led sustainability accelerator that organizes cohorts into five specialized tracks (Soil & Water Health and Justice; Just Circular Communities; Healing with the Environment; Community Resilience Practitioners; Community Reclamation Commons). Designed for BIPOC-led and frontline community sustainability practitioners in the Puget Sound Region seeking structured programming, peer learning, and project support.
- Fiscal Sponsorship Fiscal sponsorship service providing tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status, donor receipting, and administrative back-office infrastructure to emerging sustainability projects and grassroots initiatives that want to accept donations and grants without incorporating their own nonprofit.
- Soil Health & Justice Initiative (SHJI) Initiative that addresses soil health through an environmental justice lens, operating as a specific program under Sustainable Seattle's portfolio for community-led sustainability work in the Puget Sound Region.
- Sustainability Leadership Awards ("Campfire Stories") Annual recognition program, branded as Campfire Stories, that celebrates and elevates community sustainability leaders in the Puget Sound Region through storytelling-format events.
- Green Drinks Recurring community networking events for sustainability-minded residents and practitioners in the Puget Sound Region, providing informal connection opportunities among community sustainability participants.
- S2 Community Coffee Community coffee gathering program that brings together sustainability practitioners and supporters for regular informal meetups in the Puget Sound Region.
- PNW Climate Week Events Programming and events hosted by Sustainable Seattle during Pacific Northwest Climate Week, featuring community-focused climate programming for residents and practitioners in the region.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30,000+ community members engaged in sustainability initiatives
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Sustainable Seattle
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sustainable Seattle technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Sustainable Seattle partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PNW Climate Week PartnerscoreAnnual partnership during PNW Climate Week to host events connecting environmental justice practitioners, advocates, and change makers. Events held across multiple days and locations in Seattle.
- Community Catalyst CoalitioncoreCoalition focused on Soil Health & Climate Resilience including closed meetings for Coalition Members and Open Community Conversations. Includes partnerships with SoundBio and other local organizations.
- Seattle Donut Economics (SDEC)minorPartnership for Green Drinks events and Global Donut Days celebrations, combining climate action with economic frameworks.
- Dr. Melanie MalonecoreDr. Melanie Malone, University of Washington professor, provides pro-bono soil testing for community-led farms and gardens. Works with S2's Soil & Water Health and Justice track.
- Catherine de AlmeidacoreLandscape architect from University of Washington's Landscape Architecture program working on the Just Circular Communities track with Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association, Traversal Design, Circular PNW, and Blue Daisi Consulting.
- Beacon Food ForestminorCommunity partner for Soil Health & Justice events including soil sampling demonstrations and community conversations at the Beacon Food Forest location.
- Coalition for Climate Careers (C3)minorS2 serves as fiscal sponsor for C3's PNW Climate Week Happy Hour events during climate week programming.
- Circular PNWcoreS2 is fiscal sponsor and peer partner of Circular PNW, catalyzing connectivity for a circular economy in the Pacific Northwest.
- Heron's NestminorCommunity partner for Nest Fest event tabling to share about Soil Health & Justice Initiative and S2 programs.
- Juneau Street Resilience PodminorCommunity partner for Soil Health conversations at Pumpkin Patch events including emergency preparedness activities.
- Duwamish Valley Sustainability AssociationcorePartner in Just Circular Communities track working on organic waste management and biofuel systems for the Duwamish Valley region.
- Traversal DesignminorSmall consultancy specializing in participatory transformation for an environmentally and socially just world, partner in Just Circular Communities.
- Blue Daisi ConsultingminorZero waste consulting business, partner in Just Circular Communities track supporting anti-displacement and green job initiatives.
- Seattle Parks FoundationminorReferral partner for environmental projects requiring fiscal sponsorship (recommended alternative when S2 is not a fit).
- ShunpikeminorReferral partner for arts projects requiring fiscal sponsorship (recommended alternative when S2 is not a fit).
- Rooted in Vibrant CommunitiesminorReferral partner for BIPOC-led and serving projects requiring fiscal sponsorship (recommended alternative when S2 is not a fit).
- Black Farmers CollectivecoreMutual aid network of Black-led regenerative farms partnering with BIPOC farmers for healthier communities. S2 supports through Interweave program.
- Kay TitacoreSocial impact nonprofit serving changemakers in Haiti with safe spaces and resources for increased impact and skill development.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sustainable Seattle competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Forterra: Regional PNW land conservation and stewardship nonprofit operating across greater Washington, with similar community-facing programs, fiscal sponsorship-adjacent services, and a comparable operating geography to Sustainable Seattle.
- Puget Soundkeeper Alliance: Seattle-based environmental nonprofit focused on Puget Sound water quality and community advocacy; overlaps with S2's Soil & Water Health and Justice track and serves a similar donor and volunteer base.
- EarthCorps: Seattle-based environmental nonprofit focused on volunteer-driven habitat restoration and community leadership development, closely comparable to S2's Community Reclamation Commons and sustainability volunteer programming.
- Cascade Harvest Coalition: Washington statewide food system nonprofit connecting farmers, eaters, and policymakers; comparable to S2's food sovereignty and Black Star Farmers-aligned programming in the sustainable agriculture space.
- Zero Waste Washington: Washington-state nonprofit advancing circular economy and waste reduction policy; directly comparable to S2's Just Circular Communities track and serves overlapping environmental audiences in the PNW.
- Front and Centered: Washington statewide coalition of frontline and BIPOC-led organizations advancing climate and environmental justice; highly comparable mission alignment with S2's BIPOC-centered and Just Transition programming.
Broad incumbents
- Washington Environmental Council: Larger, established Washington-state environmental advocacy organization with policy, coalition, and community organizing programs spanning a broader agenda than S2's narrower community-led focus.
- Sierra Club: National environmental incumbent with active Washington chapters; competes for the same donor pool and sustainability advocacy narrative while operating at vastly greater scale.
- 350.org: Global climate advocacy organization that convenes grassroots climate action including Climate Week programming; comparable convening function to S2's PNW Climate Week events but at international scale.
Regional players
- Seattle Foundation: Regional community foundation providing grants, fiscal sponsorship, and donor services in the Puget Sound region; comparable as a regional fiscal sponsor and grantmaking intermediary serving overlapping community projects.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sustainable Seattle social profiles
Digital presenceSustainable Seattle financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sustainable Seattle leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Sustainable Seattle subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Sustainable Seattle funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sustainable Seattle M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Seattle
What does Sustainable Seattle do?
Sustainable Seattle is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that delivers community-led sustainability programs in the Puget Sound Region, including the Interweave multi-track sustainability accelerator, fiscal sponsorship for emerging grassroots projects, and the Soil Health & Justice Initiative. Its primary sellable offerings are the Interweave accelerator (with five specialized tracks) and Fiscal Sponsorship services that provide administrative and tax-exempt infrastructure to emerging community projects.
Is Sustainable Seattle a public or private company?
Sustainable Seattle is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Sustainable Seattle founded?
Sustainable Seattle was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sustainable Seattle based?
Sustainable Seattle is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sustainable Seattle make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are fiscal Sponsorship Services and event Sponsorships.
Who are Sustainable Seattle's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Forterra, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, EarthCorps, Cascade Harvest Coalition, Zero Waste Washington and Front and Centered. Broad incumbents are Washington Environmental Council, Sierra Club and 350.org. Seattle Foundation is listed as a regional player.
Does Sustainable Seattle have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sustainable Seattle.
What industry is Sustainable Seattle in?
Sustainable Seattle's product category is Community Sustainability Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAL, Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health, with a secondary code of BPAGAGAI, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems. Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 8300.