Urban Sustainability Directors Network
USDN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, member-led peer network founded in 2008 that serves local government sustainability directors across 330+ US and Canadian communities representing 115+ million residents through peer learning, collaborative grants, and annual convenings.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersPort Washington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Urban Sustainability Directors Network does
Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, member-led peer network founded in 2008 to serve local government sustainability directors and their staff across the United States and Canada. The organization operates as a virtual, multi-state employer with approximately 25 staff distributed across locations in NC, TX, PA, WI, FL, NY, AZ, VA, and GA. USDN provides three core programmatic pillars: networking opportunities (regional meetings and an annual gathering that has convened over 5,300 practitioners since 2009), a collaborative innovation system (grants and peer learning exchanges, including the Innovation Fund, Partners for Places, and Peer Exchange programs that collectively supported 52 projects with over $2.4M in funding in 2015), and partner network agreements with allied organizations including the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. The network serves 330+ communities representing 115+ million residents, with member-reported connectivity rising from 10% in 2009 to 90% today.
USDN's product surface consists of a portfolio of programs rather than a single software product: monthly publications (Urban Sustainability Bulletin newsletter, formerly the Innovation Report, since 2014), two fellowship programs (EDI Fellowship since 2018 and the Hawai'i Water Workforce Fellowship since 2025), a publicly accessible innovation products library organized by topic, the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA) operated as a USDN project, and USDN Annual Meetings (600+ attendees, with the 2027 Tempe, AZ meeting announced as the largest ever). Three wholly owned subsidiary projects extend the network's footprint: the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance, the Center for Regenerative Solutions, and Green Cities California. The technology footprint is described primarily as a network platform connecting practitioners, with USDN's Innovation Products Library and digital collaboration tooling representing the principal digital assets.
USDN is funded through a combination of member dues from 330+ local government jurisdictions, foundation grants (Barr Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bullitt Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Kendeda Fund, McKnight Foundation, The Summit Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), corporate support (Wells Fargo, JP Morgan), and sponsorship revenue from annual meetings. The 2025 hire of a Procurement Director (WendyKay Gewiss) signals formalization of corporate fundraising. Recent strategic moves include expanding on-the-ground Government Liaison roles (Atlanta in February 2025, Chicago), shifting internal focus toward climate finance and policy in response to changing federal funding conditions, and broadening the network's vertical scope into water workforce development via the Hawai'i program.
Urban Sustainability Directors Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Urban Sustainability Directors Network
- Legal name
- Urban Sustainability Directors Network
- Website
- https://usdn.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- USDN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, member-led peer network founded in 2008 that serves local government sustainability directors across 330+ US and Canadian communities representing 115+ million residents through peer learning, collaborative grants, and annual convenings.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Urban Sustainability Directors Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Association & Peer Learning Network
- NAICS
- Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Grantmaking & Development Foundations (BPAGAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance (BPADAEAL)
Keywords
Where Urban Sustainability Directors Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Port Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Urban Sustainability Directors Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Member Dues: USDN is funded through dues from members, which are local government sustainability professionals and their jurisdictions.
- Foundation Grants: Generous foundation grants from organizations including Barr Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Bullitt Foundation, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan, Kendeda Fund, Kresge Foundation, The Summit Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation support USDN operations and programs.
- Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorships for annual meetings at various tier levels provide revenue and support travel scholarships for sustainability leaders from under-resourced communities.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Urban Sustainability Directors Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
USDN is a member-led peer learning network that connects local government sustainability professionals across 330+ communities in the US and Canada. It provides networking opportunities, collaborative innovation grants (Innovation Fund, Partners for Places, Peer Learning Exchange), fellowship programs, toolkits, and convenings to help municipal sustainability practitioners develop and implement climate, equity, and resilience initiatives.
Product overview
Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) is a member-led network of local government sustainability professionals that operates as a collaborative platform rather than a single software product. The organization offers a portfolio of interconnected programs including the Collaborative Innovation System, Networking Opportunities, and Partner Networks. USDN manages multiple grant programs (Innovation Fund, Partners for Places, Peer Learning Exchange, CNCA Innovation Fund) that collectively exceeded $2.4 million in 2015 supporting 52 projects. The network publishes the Urban Sustainability Bulletin newsletter and maintains a comprehensive Family of Funds Products library of toolkits, guides, and resources. Additional offerings include fellowship programs (EDI Fellowship, Hawai'i Water Workforce Fellowship), the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance initiative, and the USDN Annual Meeting conference. The organization connects over 330 communities representing over 115 million residents across the United States and Canada.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA): A collaboration of leading global cities achieving carbon neutrality before 2050 - the most aggressive GHG reduction targets undertaken anywhere by any city.
Products and services
- USDN Membership Annual membership providing local government sustainability directors and their jurisdictions access to peer learning, collaborative grants, networking opportunities, fellowship programs, and the Urban Sustainability Bulletin newsletter.
- USDN Innovation Fund
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 330 communities with 115+ million residents now have access to peer learning and collaborative innovation through USDN
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Urban Sustainability Directors Network
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Urban Sustainability Directors Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Urban Sustainability Directors Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA)coreThe Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance is a collaboration of leading global cities achieving carbon neutrality before 2050—the most aggressive GHG reduction targets undertaken by any cities. CNCA is a project of USDN, with the alliance focusing on decarbonization and sharing resources from CNCA members and other climate vanguard cities around the world.
- Center for Regenerative SolutionscoreCRS brings together cities, resource specialists, community-based organizations, scientists, innovators, land managers, and others to accelerate implementation of regenerative, nature-based solutions that improve social, economic, and environmental resilience. Operates the Vanguard Cities Initiative and Urban Nature-Based Climate Solutions Accelerator.
- Green Cities CaliforniaminorA member-driven network of California leaders and innovators in local government who learn, share and adopt sustainable policies and practices, committed to reducing greenhouse gasses, minimizing waste, and increasing equity through sustainability practices.
- Partners for PlacescoreA partnership between USDN and the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities that provides twice-annual grants to support local sustainability projects. Half of all grants go to USDN members and require matching funds from community foundations.
- Hawaiian Islands Environmental Finance CentercorePartner in the Hawai'i Water Workforce Fellowship Program, providing mentorship, peer learning, and professional development opportunities for water sector professionals.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Urban Sustainability Directors Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability: Global network of local and regional governments committed to sustainable urban development. Directly comparable as a membership-based peer learning and capacity-building network for sustainability practitioners, though operating at a much larger international scale than USDN.
- National League of Cities: Membership organization representing municipal governments across the United States. Comparable as a service-membership organization serving local government officials with peer learning, advocacy, and capacity-building offerings, though broader in scope than sustainability.
- C40 Cities: Global network of mayors and city leaders addressing climate change, focused on the world's largest cities. Comparable as a peer network serving local government climate and sustainability professionals, with overlapping target audience and similar network-driven value proposition.
- International City/County Management Association (ICMA): Professional association for local government managers and administrators. Comparable as a long-standing membership organization providing peer exchange, training, and resource libraries to local government professionals across the US and internationally.
- Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities: Network of foundations and funders supporting sustainable development. USDN's existing partner in the Partners for Places grant program; directly comparable as a peer funder network supporting local sustainability initiatives with member dues and foundation support.
- American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP): Professional society for climate adaptation practitioners. Directly comparable as a peer network serving sustainability and climate adaptation professionals with networking, resources, and capacity-building—smaller in scope and more focused than USDN.
Broad incumbents
- Urban Land Institute (ULI): Global membership organization for real estate and land use professionals. Comparable as an established member-driven network providing research, education, and convening for professionals shaping urban development, though with a broader real estate focus.
- Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES): Independent voice for climate and energy policy. Comparable as an established player in the climate policy space working with governments and stakeholders, though primarily a think tank rather than a practitioner peer network.
Emerging players
- Aspen Global Change Institute: Research institute convening scientists, policymakers, and practitioners on climate change. Comparable as a convening and capacity-building organization for sustainability professionals, with a research orientation overlapping USDN's network functions.
- EcoAdapt: Organization focused on climate adaptation planning and implementation. Comparable as a niche player in the climate adaptation space with networking and capacity-building offerings for practitioners, though more focused on adaptation than USDN's broader sustainability remit.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Urban Sustainability Directors Network social profiles
Digital presenceUrban Sustainability Directors Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Urban Sustainability Directors Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Urban Sustainability Directors Network subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Urban Sustainability Directors Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Urban Sustainability Directors Network 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 Urban Sustainability Directors Network
What does Urban Sustainability Directors Network do?
USDN is a member-led peer learning network that connects local government sustainability professionals across 330+ communities in the US and Canada. It provides networking opportunities, collaborative innovation grants (Innovation Fund, Partners for Places, Peer Learning Exchange), fellowship programs, toolkits, and convenings to help municipal sustainability practitioners develop and implement climate, equity, and resilience initiatives.
Is Urban Sustainability Directors Network a public or private company?
Urban Sustainability Directors Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Urban Sustainability Directors Network founded?
Urban Sustainability Directors Network was founded in 2008. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Urban Sustainability Directors Network based?
Urban Sustainability Directors Network is headquartered in Port Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Urban Sustainability Directors Network make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Member Dues are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants and sponsorship Revenue.
Who are Urban Sustainability Directors Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, National League of Cities, C40 Cities, International City/County Management Association (ICMA), Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities and American Society of Adaptation Professionals (ASAP). Broad incumbents are Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES). Emerging players are Aspen Global Change Institute and EcoAdapt.
Does Urban Sustainability Directors Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for Urban Sustainability Directors Network.
What industry is Urban Sustainability Directors Network in?
Urban Sustainability Directors Network's product category is Professional Association & Peer Learning Network. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAKAH, International Grantmaking & Development Foundations, with a secondary code of BPADAEAL, Digital Development & ICT4D / GovTech Technical Assistance. Its NAICS code is 81321 and its SIC code is 8600.