What Common Ground does

Common Ground, legally the New Haven Ecology Project (Tax ID 22-3171185), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit center for learning and leadership headquartered at 358 Springside Ave, New Haven, Connecticut, with 51-100 employees and origins in the late 1980s. It is structured around three operational pillars on a single campus: Common Ground High School (CGHS), a public charter high school serving 225 students in grades 9-12 with an environmental and social-justice curriculum and portfolio-based graduation; a 1-acre Common Ground Urban Farm producing 14,000+ pounds of food annually across 35+ crops, alongside livestock (60-100 laying hens, ducks, turkeys, beehives, goats, sheep) and a 2017-built in-vessel aerated static pile (ASP) composting system that diverted 93,000 pounds of food waste from landfills in 2024; and Children's Programs spanning ages 4-14, including NatureYear forest school, Summer Camp, Kids Unplugged after-school, Seedlings parent-and-me classes, school vacation days, field trips, and birthday parties.

Revenue is generated across four streams: donations and charitable contributions (including stock, planned giving, and corporate gifts), program fees for children's programming and field trips (with sliding-scale and 10-75% financial aid), produce and CSA Farm Share subscriptions through a Mobile Market farm stand-on-wheels accepting SNAP/WIC/Senior FMNP benefits, and government and foundation grants (US Dept of Labor via Workforce Alliance, EPA, CT Dept of Agriculture, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Carolyn Foundation, People's United Community Foundation). Distribution combines on-campus programming, a Mobile Market visiting senior housing complexes and community partners (Cornell Scott Hill Health Center, libraries, housing authorities), Traveling Field Trips, and a Schoolyards Program now active across 23 New Haven public schools.

Strategically, Common Ground layers a Green Jobs Corps youth-employment program on top of its educational offerings, partnered with Yale's Urban Resources Initiative, CitySeed, Save the Sound, the Regional Water Authority, and EPA grant programs. The organization reports strong educational outcomes (97-100% college acceptance, 92% on-time graduation beating the Connecticut state average in 4 of 5 recent years, NWEA MAP growth above 90% of national peers) and serves roughly 18,000 children and adults annually. It is governed by a Board of Directors under Executive Director Melissa Spear and operates without a parent company, equity funding, or acquisition history.

Name

Common Ground

Legal name

New Haven Ecology Project

Website

https://commongroundct.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Common Ground is a New Haven-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating an environmental charter high school, a 1-acre urban farm with composting, and nature-based children's programs serving roughly 18,000 children and adults annually across New Haven County and Connecticut.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outdoor Education & Adventure Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAJ), Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA), Sustainability, Waste Reduction & Composting Programs (EDALADAL), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) / Vertical Farming (Indoor LED Farms) (AFAGAHAJ)

Keywords

• Environmental education programs
• Urban farming services
• Charter high school
• Community supported agriculture
• Youth workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

New Haven

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations supporting environmental education mission. Accepts checks, stock/securities, donor-advised fund gifts, ACH or wire transfers. Also accepts legacy and planned giving, pledges, and multi-year commitments.
2. Program Fees: Fees for children's programs including summer camp, NatureYear, Kids Unplugged, school vacation days, birthday parties, and field trips. Financial aid available up to 75% discount.
3. Farm Share and Produce Sales: CSA Farm Share program with sliding scale pricing. Seedling Sale generating $20,000+ worth of seedlings annually. Mobile Market produce sales accepting SNAP, WIC, and senior benefits.
4. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from Workforce Alliance (US Dept of Labor), EPA Environmental Education grants, CT Dept of Agriculture grants, and support from National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Carolyn Foundation, People's United Community Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Common Ground is an integrated environmental education center operating three interconnected programs: a public charter high school (CGHS) serving 225 students in grades 9-12, a 1-acre diversified urban farm producing 10,000+ pounds of food annually, and a suite of nature-based children's programs (NatureYear, Summer Camp, Kids Unplugged, field trips). The organization also runs a Mobile Market distributing fresh produce to New Haven neighborhoods, a Schoolyards Program supporting outdoor learning in 23 public schools, a CSA Farm Share program, and the Green Jobs Corps youth employment program.

Product overview

Common Ground operates as an integrated environmental education organization with three interconnected pillars: Common Ground High School (an environmentally-themed public charter school serving 225 students in grades 9-12), the Common Ground Urban Farm (a 1-acre diversified farm producing 14,000+ pounds of food annually with livestock and composting operations), and Children's Programs (a comprehensive suite of nature-based programs for children ages 4-14 including NatureYear, Summer Camp, and Kids Unplugged). Community engagement flows through Farm Share (CSA), Mobile Market, and public events like Feast from the Fields and Holiday Bazaar. The Schoolyards Program extends the organization's reach by supporting outdoor learning statewide, while Green Jobs Corps provides youth employment pathways. These programs work as an integrated ecosystem where the high school serves as the anchor, the urban farm functions as a living laboratory, children's programs build the next generation of environmental stewards, and community programs ensure food access and build broader support for the mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NatureYear: A science and nature-based enrichment program for children ages 4-14 offering seasonal outdoor activities, farm and forest exploration.
• Kids Unplugged
• Green Jobs Corps
• Mobile Market
• Schoolyards Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of CGHS families participate in Farm Share pay-what-you-can model, predominantly paying $0-15 of the $20/week value
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CitySeedcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2012Partnership to operate Mobile Market bringing fresh Connecticut farm produce to New Haven neighborhoods. CitySeed provides SNAP match program offering 50% discount for SNAP purchases at Mobile Market.
• Urban Resources Initiative (URI) at YalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Jobs Corps members work on urban arboriculture internships planting hundreds of street trees and surveying thousands more with GPS devices. Help create and steward urban oases and community greenspaces across New Haven.
• Save the SoundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGreen Jobs Corps team surveys water quality on the West River in partnership with Save the Sound environmental organization.
• Regional Water AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeads week-long Environmental Careers Camp and hosts Water Boot Camp for Green Jobs Corps members. Provides water quality education and career exploration opportunities.
• Havens HarvestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew Haven food rescue organization providing food waste to Common Ground's composting system, diverting thousands of pounds from landfills annually.
• Cornell Scott Hill Health CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealth center location hosting Mobile Market for fresh produce distribution to community members.
• Mary Wade HomeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSenior care facility hosting Mobile Market location for elderly residents.
• City of New Haven Elderly Services DepartmentminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners on Mobile Market outreach to senior housing complexes including The Towers.
• New Haven Public LibraryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLibrary location hosting Mobile Market for community produce access.
• Elm City CommunitiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHousing authority partner for Mobile Market distribution to low-income housing communities.
• Peels and WheelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBike-powered neighborhood-scale composting operation with mutually supportive partnership contributing to Common Ground's community composting program.
• CT NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommon Ground signs CT NOFA Farmers Pledge committing to work in harmony with natural forces and environmental stewardship.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: New York-based farm and education center operating a diversified farm, youth education, and farm-to-table programming. Comparable in combining a working farm with extensive educational programming for children and adults, though at a much larger scale and higher-end donor base.
• Mass Audubon: Massachusetts-based environmental education nonprofit operating wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers, and education programs statewide. Comparable in delivering nature-based education for children and adults across multiple sites, though focused on wildlife/conservation rather than food/agriculture.
• GrowNYC: New York City-based environmental nonprofit operating farmers markets, school gardens, urban farms, and environmental education programs. Broader-scale incumbent operating a Greenmarket, GrowNYC Education, and Open Space Garden programs that directly parallel Common Ground's Mobile Market, Schoolyards, and Urban Farm offerings.
• Shelburne Farms: Vermont-based nonprofit farm and outdoor education center offering school programs, summer camps, and professional development for educators. Comparable to Common Ground in combining a working farm with K-12 outdoor education, summer camp, and teacher training programs.

Direct peers

• The Food Project: Massachusetts-based nonprofit operating urban farms combined with youth employment, leadership development, and food access programs. Directly comparable to Common Ground in integrating diversified urban agriculture, youth workforce development (similar to Green Jobs Corps), and CSA/sales distribution on a single organizational platform.
• Soul Fire Farm: New York-based BIPOC-centered farm offering youth programs, farmer training, and food justice education. Comparable to Common Ground in combining regenerative farming, youth leadership programming, and a food justice/social justice curriculum delivered through hands-on farm experiences.
• Urban Adamah: Berkeley, CA-based nonprofit combining an urban farm with residential fellowship, youth education, and community programming. Comparable in operating an integrated urban farm + youth/family education + community engagement model similar to Common Ground's three-pillar structure.
• New Haven Farms: New Haven-based nonprofit running urban farm sites combined with nutrition education, cooking classes, and food access programming for low-income residents. Highly comparable given shared geography, similar mission, and overlapping Mobile Market-style produce distribution model.

Others

• CitySeed: New Haven-based nonprofit operating farmers markets and food access programs (SNAP match, Wholesome Wave). Comparable as a New Haven-local food access partner that runs complementary farmers market and nutrition incentive programs to Common Ground's Mobile Market and CSA.

Regional players

• Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (UCSC): University-based California program operating a farm and apprenticeship program combining organic farming, food justice education, and youth programming. Comparable in integrating working farm operations with formal education and training programs, though at a university rather than independent nonprofit structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CommonGroundCt
• Facebookfacebook.com/CommonGroundConnecticut
• Instagraminstagram.com/commongroundct
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/servpro-of-lake-arlington

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Common Ground