Grades of Green
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersEl Segundo, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Grades of Green does
Grades of Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 (originating from volunteer efforts in 2007) and headquartered in El Segundo, California. The organization delivers environmental education to K-12 students, teachers, schools, and school districts across 33 countries, providing free programs and resources that equip youth to design, lead, and measure environmental projects in their schools and communities. It operates a small core staff alongside a 17-member Board of Directors and is led by Executive Director Kelley Lê, author of 'Teaching Climate Change.'
Grades of Green firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Grades of Green
- Legal name
- Grades of Green, Inc.
- Website
- https://gradesofgreen.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Grades of Green industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Education
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Outdoor Education & Adventure Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAJ)
Keywords
Where Grades of Green is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- El Segundo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Grades of Green business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting student environmental education and leadership programs
- Monthly Recurring Gifts (Founding Champions): Monthly recurring donations through the 'Help Us Say Yes' campaign, starting at $10/month, supporting the Student & Teacher Opportunity Fund
- Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship partnerships with corporations for programs, events (gala), and student initiatives
- Program Sponsorship: Corporate funding for specific programs such as Soar Eco-Innovation Academy scholarships and industry partnerships
- Grant Funding: Grants from foundations and government agencies including $25,000 from Hunger to Health Collaboratory and Newman's Own Foundation
- Stock Donations: Appreciated stock or mutual fund donations providing tax benefits to donors while supporting the mission
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Free K-12 Programs |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly Recurring Donations |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | General Donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Grades of Green product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Grades of Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, NGSS-aligned environmental education programs to K-12 students through a progressive pathway: Launch Eco-Lessons (K-12), Rise Climate Solutions Campaign (6th-12th), and Soar Eco-Innovation Academy (9th-12th). Programs are delivered via the eKadence online learning platform and supported by UPLIFT school district partnerships, the Student Social Media Ambassador Program (SSMAP), and the Soar Virtual Program, with corporate industry partners providing real-world sustainability project experiences.
Product overview
Grades of Green is an environmental education nonprofit offering a portfolio of K-12 programs designed as a progressive pathway: Launch (K-12 foundational eco-lessons) → Rise (6th-12th climate solutions campaign) → Soar (9th-12th eco-innovation academy). The organization also provides UPLIFT School District Partnerships for comprehensive district-level support, the Student Social Media Ambassador Program (SSMAP) for digital environmental advocacy, and Soar Virtual for online accessibility. All programs use the eKadence platform for content delivery and student progress tracking.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Launch Eco-Lessons Free, year-long environmental education program providing 50+ step-by-step, NGSS-aligned activities for K-12th grade students to lead real environmental projects in their schools and communities.
- Rise Climate Solutions Campaign A four-month spring campaign (January-May) that empowers 6th-12th grade students to design and lead projects addressing real environmental challenges in their communities, with opportunities to compete for eco-grants.
- Soar Eco-Innovation Academy A collaborative hands-on program for high school students (9th-12th) that activates environmental progress in top industries by working directly with businesses to develop real-world sustainability solutions through mentorship and industry exposure.
- UPLIFT School District Partnerships A comprehensive school district partnership program that helps school communities reach sustainability goals by working with Grades of Green staff to implement environmental programs and resources, supporting teachers, after-school coordinators, student clubs, and custodians.
- Student Social Media Ambassador Program (SSMAP) A youth internship program that equips students to promote sustainable habits through creative digital engagement, inspired by CalRecycle's Recycling Reimagined initiative, mobilizing diverse students to amplify waste reduction, recycling, and recovery efforts.
- Soar Virtual Program An online version of the Soar internship experience that allows students to explore environmental careers through virtual facility tours, guided projects, and real-world skill building, delivered through the eKadence platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Students conserved 9,761,237 gallons of water in water campaign
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Grades of Green
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Grades of Green technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Grades of Green partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
26 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- CalRecyclecoreCalifornia Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery partnership for the SSMAP (Student Social Media Ambassador Program) supporting CalRecycle's Recycling Reimagined initiative. Students are equipped with sustainable lessons and training to create social media campaigns promoting recycling and waste reduction across California.
- Kellog GardenminorLegacy partner supporting Grades of Green's mission and programs
- Johnson Ohana FoundationcoreLegacy partner supporting Grades of Green's environmental education mission; co-partner for Jack Johnson's Surfilmus 2026 Summer Tour through the All At Once initiative connecting concertgoers with organizations creating positive change
- LA Car GuyminorLegacy partner supporting Grades of Green's programs and events
- LACSD (Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts)minorLegacy partner supporting Grades of Green's waste diversion and sustainability education programs
- Subaru PacificminorLegacy partner supporting Grades of Green's environmental programs
- One Percent for the PlanetcoreEnvironmental giving network partner; StokedPlastics is also a 1% for the Planet partner aligned with Grades of Green's mission
- AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group)coreEntertainment and sports venue operator supporting Grades of Green's events and environmental education initiatives
- Beyond MeatcorePlant-based food innovation company partnered for the 'Beyond the Headlines' program where students design science-backed media campaigns to combat misinformation about plant-based foods. Active program sponsor for Soar and event sponsor for Verte Gala 2026.
- Dignity Health Sports ParkcoreSports venue hosting Soar program industry tours where students gain hands-on sustainability experience and learn about corporate environmental initiatives
- Northrop GrummancoreAerospace and defense technology company providing Soar program mentorship and industry exposure for students exploring sustainability careers
- NBCUniversalminorMedia company partner supporting Grades of Green's programs and events
- S&P GlobalminorFinancial information and analytics company supporting Grades of Green's mission
- InfosysminorGlobal IT consulting firm supporting Grades of Green's programs
- NHL KingsminorLA Kings hockey team supporting Grades of Green's community events and environmental initiatives
- LA GalaxyminorLA Galaxy soccer team supporting Grades of Green's sustainability events
- Sunflower FarmscorePartner hosting volunteer community days for Grades of Green supporters; co-partner for Help Us Say Yes campaign and Books, Blooms & Community Roots volunteer events
- West Basin Municipal Water DistrictminorWater district partner for Soar program where students developed hydropower electricity generator proposals
- Fed by BluecoreCo-founded by Jennifer Bushman and Jill Kauffman Johnson, Fed by Blue inspires responsible relationship with foods from waters. Honored as Rising Tide Award Honoree at Verte 2026. Helped bring Emmy-nominated PBS series 'Hope in the Water' to audiences and collaborated on the Blue Food Cookbook.
- StokedPlasticscoreSustainable materials innovation company honored with Regeneration Award at Verte 2026. As a 1% for the Planet partner, StokedPlastics advances circular manufacturing solutions and scalable alternatives to newly produced plastic.
- eKadencecoreOnline learning platform powering Launch Eco-Lessons and Soar Virtual Programs for student environmental education delivery
- Girl ScoutsminorProgram partner for environmental education initiatives
- Inglewood Unified School DistrictcoreUPLIFT School District Partnership program participant implementing sustainability programs across district schools
- IUSD (Irvine Unified School District)coreUPLIFT School District Partnership program participant
- MBUSD (Manhattan Beach Unified School District)coreUPLIFT School District Partnership program participant; original home district of Grades of Green founders
- HBCSD (Hermosa Beach City School District)minorUPLIFT School District Partnership program participant
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Grades of Green competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Captain Planet Foundation: Environmental education nonprofit providing hands-on K-12 learning and eco-grant programs for schools. Directly comparable target audience (K-12 students/teachers), curriculum-delivery model, and grant-funded program pathway structure.
- Green Education Foundation: Nonprofit providing K-12 sustainability curriculum, lesson plans, and school-based eco-challenges. Comparable free curriculum delivery to schools and eco-challenge program model (similar to Grades of Green's Rise campaign).
- Facing the Future: Nonprofit providing K-12 interdisciplinary curriculum on sustainability, global issues, and environmental justice. Comparable K-12 audience, curriculum-plus-project model, and reliance on teacher adoption for distribution.
- Roots & Shoots (Jane Goodall Institute): Youth-led community action and service learning program of the Jane Goodall Institute. Comparable global K-12 program with student-driven environmental project framework and recognition/certification pathway.
- EarthEcho International: Youth-focused environmental education nonprofit founded by Philippe Cousteau Jr. that equips students and teachers with science-based resources to protect water resources and oceans. Highly comparable mission, target audience (K-12), and free curriculum distribution model.
- Project Learning Tree: Environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, providing K-12 curriculum and professional development for educators on environmental topics. Overlapping focus on teacher-ready, NGSS-aligned lesson plans and school-district engagement.
- Eco-Schools USA (National Wildlife Federation): K-12 environmental education and certification program for schools operated by the National Wildlife Federation. Directly overlapping mission of certifying and supporting K-12 schools on sustainability pathways with structured program progression.
Emerging players
- iEARN (International Education and Resource Network): Global K-12 collaborative learning network facilitating cross-border student projects including environmental and sustainability themes. Comparable global student-project structure and free access model, though broader in subject scope.
Broad incumbents
- EarthDay.org (Earth Day Network): Larger established environmental nonprofit that runs global education campaigns including school-facing programs such as the Plastics Action Toolkit and Earth Day school engagement. Significantly larger but mission-adjacent, with overlapping K-12 environmental education initiatives.
- National Geographic Education: Massive institutional provider of K-12 environmental and science education resources, lesson plans, and educator professional development. Operating at significantly greater scale and with broader subject coverage than Grades of Green, but directly competes for educator adoption in environmental science.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Grades of Green social profiles
Digital presenceGrades of Green compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Grades of Green financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Grades of Green leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Grades of Green funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Grades of Green 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 Grades of Green
What does Grades of Green do?
Grades of Green is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free, NGSS-aligned environmental education programs to K-12 students through a progressive pathway: Launch Eco-Lessons (K-12), Rise Climate Solutions Campaign (6th-12th), and Soar Eco-Innovation Academy (9th-12th). Programs are delivered via the eKadence online learning platform and supported by UPLIFT school district partnerships, the Student Social Media Ambassador Program (SSMAP), and the Soar Virtual Program, with corporate industry partners providing real-world sustainability project experiences.
Is Grades of Green a public or private company?
Grades of Green is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Grades of Green founded?
Grades of Green was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Grades of Green based?
Grades of Green is headquartered in El Segundo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Grades of Green make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are monthly Recurring Gifts (Founding Champions), corporate Sponsorships, program Sponsorship, grant Funding and stock Donations.
Who are Grades of Green's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Captain Planet Foundation, Green Education Foundation, Facing the Future, Roots & Shoots (Jane Goodall Institute), EarthEcho International, Project Learning Tree and Eco-Schools USA (National Wildlife Federation). iEARN (International Education and Resource Network) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are EarthDay.org (Earth Day Network) and National Geographic Education.
Does Grades of Green have an API?
No public API is recorded for Grades of Green.
What industry is Grades of Green in?
Grades of Green's product category is Environmental Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAH, Environmental Education & Outreach, with a secondary code of EDAJAJAJ, Outdoor Education & Adventure Programs (School-Run). Its NAICS code is 611710 and its SIC code is 8200.