Urban Sustainability Directors Network

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.

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

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

• Local government sustainability
• Peer learning network
• Collaborative innovation grants
• Urban climate action
• Community sustainability programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Member Dues: USDN is funded through dues from members, which are local government sustainability professionals and their jurisdictions.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance (CNCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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 SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCRS 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 CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 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 PlacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA 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 CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/usdn
• Xx.com/theusdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/theusdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries3 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 Urban Sustainability Directors Network