Delta Institute
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Delta Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Delta Institute
- Legal name
- Delta Institute
- Website
- https://delta-institute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Delta Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Consulting Services
- NAICS
- Environmental Consulting Services (541620), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Support Activities for Forestry (1153)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering Services (8711), Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GI/LID) (Bioretention, Permeable Pavements, Green Roofs) (EUANAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK), Wetland, Riparian & Buffer Services (within forest landscapes) (AFAMAMAI), Riparian & Watershed Reforestation (Streambank Stabilization) (AFAMACAK), Water Supply & Wastewater Utilities Administration (BPAIACAG)
Keywords
Where Delta Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Delta Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Contracts and Grants: Delta Institute receives funding from federal, state, and local government agencies including EPA Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants, US Forest Service, and municipal contracts such as the City of Chicago Office of the Mayor for waste strategy development.
- Foundation Grants: Major foundation funding from Walton Family Foundation, McKnight Foundation (Mississippi River Program), Lumpkin Family Foundation, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Legacy Foundation, Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation, McDougal Family Foundation, Oberweiler Foundation, and others supporting specific programmatic initiatives.
- Fee-for-Service / Consulting: Delta provides consulting services to municipalities, businesses, and organizations on sustainability, green infrastructure, agricultural practices, and environmental planning on a fee-for-service basis.
- Donations: Individual and organizational donations supporting the organization's general operations and mission, with a donation page available on their website.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Delta Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Delta Institute is a nonprofit environmental organization that delivers consulting, technical assistance, and project implementation services across the Midwest through three core programmatic pillars: Nature-Based Climate Solutions (stormwater management, green infrastructure, urban forestry), Resilient Agriculture (soil health, farmland valuation, regenerative practices), and Sustainability and Support Services (community planning, brownfield redevelopment, business sustainability). The organization also serves as the US EPA Region 5 Environmental Finance Center for Water Infrastructure, providing technical assistance to communities seeking federal water infrastructure funding.
Product overview
Delta Institute is a nonprofit environmental organization offering a portfolio of interconnected service programs focused on creating a more resilient Midwest. The organization operates four core programmatic pillars: (1) Nature-Based Climate Solutions addressing climate resiliency, green infrastructure, and urban forestry; (2) Resilient Agriculture supporting soil health, farmland valuation, and conservation practices; (3) Sustainability and Support Services for community planning, brownfields, and business sustainability; and (4) the EPA Region 5 Environmental Finance Center for Water Infrastructure. Additionally, Delta provides specialized services including the Soil Health and Farmland Valuation program, waste management strategy development, wetland and streambank restoration projects, and the Pay for Performance conservation methodology. The organization also develops tools, publications, and resources including BMP toolkits, tree planting guides, and assessment frameworks. These offerings work together as an integrated approach to environmental consulting, technical assistance, and capacity building across the Midwest region.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Nature-Based Climate Solutions Strategic environmental program focused on climate resiliency, flooding and extreme weather mitigation, green infrastructure, and forest canopy expansion. Includes stormwater management, wetland restoration, and urban forestry projects aimed at capturing 100M stormwater gallons and investing $100M in municipal green infrastructure.
- Resilient Agriculture Program Agricultural program supporting soil health, farmland valuation and appraisal, conservation-focused farming practices, and carbon sequestration. Strategic goals include supporting 1,000 farmers and transitioning 1M acres to regenerative practices.
- Sustainability and Support Services Advisory services including resiliency and community planning, agency support and capacity assistance, brownfields and coal plant redevelopment, deconstruction and waste reduction, and business sustainability consulting.
- EPA Region 5 Environmental Finance Center for Water Infrastructure Designated Environmental Finance Center providing technical assistance to communities across EPA Region 5 for water infrastructure projects, helping 200 communities access funding over five years to meet Clean Water Act and Drinking Water Act goals.
- Soil Health and Farmland Valuation Program Comprehensive program exploring, researching, and testing soil health within farmland appraisals and financing processes. Includes appraisal methodology pilots in Illinois and Michigan, consensus building with agricultural banks and appraisal firms, and development of market-based interventions linking soil health to land valuation.
- Soil Health Land Valuation Market Research and Pilot Analysis of Illinois farmland real estate market to incorporate soil health into the farmland valuation process. Includes Soil Health Index and Inventory of Comparable Properties as novel appraisal interventions, piloted among 11 Illinois farms in DeKalb County.
- City of Chicago Waste Strategy Comprehensive waste management strategy developed for the City of Chicago Office of the Mayor, providing a roadmap with 63 strategies to decrease waste disposal, reduce costs, maximize economic investment, and address environmental justice inequities.
- Cheney Run Wetland Creation and Stormwater Design Wetland creation and stormwater management project in Michigan City, Indiana capturing more than 190 million gallons of stormwater annually, reducing nearly 40,000 lbs. of sediment and over 900 lbs. of nitrogen from Trail Creek tributary draining into Lake Michigan.
- Duck Creek Tributary Restoration Streambank restoration project in Hobart, Indiana capturing 289,486+ gallons of stormwater annually, preventing 256 tons of sediment and 715 lbs. of phosphorus from entering the watershed and Lake Michigan across 0.55 miles of riparian corridor.
- Northwest Indiana Tree Planting Consortium Multi-municipal consortium in Lake County, Indiana for urban canopy expansion including comprehensive BMP toolkit, tree species selection guide, planting guides, and maintenance guides. Treats 7M stormwater gallons annually via 2,240+ trees planted across 41,600 acres of urban canopy expansion.
- Pay for Performance Conservation Program Market-based incentive program paying farmers for documented improvements to water and soil quality through conservation-focused agricultural practices, moving beyond traditional pay-for-practice approaches to payments based on quantified nutrient reductions.
- GHG Carbon Credit Methodology for Nitrous Oxide Reductions Novel nitrous oxide carbon credit methodology allowing producers to access carbon market revenue from reducing fertilizer application rates. First successful nitrous oxide reduction project on the voluntary carbon market.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5M+ Midwesterners benefiting from environmental improvements
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Delta Institute
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Delta Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Delta Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
48 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- DisbeliefminorStrategic partnership with video game technology firm for greenhouse gas emissions analysis and clean energy solutions to achieve 50% carbon footprint reduction by 2030.
- City of Chicago Office of the MayorcoreHired by the Mayor's office to conduct comprehensive municipal waste system assessment and develop the 2021 City of Chicago Waste Strategy with 63 recommended strategies.
- University of Illinois at ChicagominorAcademic partner for waste characterization and generation modeling in City of Chicago Waste Strategy project.
- Field Museum of Natural HistorycoreLong-term sustainability consulting partnership since 2013 for energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste diversion, and LEED Gold certification achieving 60%+ waste diversion.
- Michigan City Sanitary District (MCSD)coreDelta partnered with MCSD and Alliance for the Great Lakes on Cheney Run wetland creation and stormwater design project that captures 190M+ gallons of stormwater annually, winning the 2023 Indiana Governor's Award.
- Hobart Sanitary District (HSD)coreCollaborative restoration partnership on Duck Creek Tributary in Hobart, Indiana, implementing streambank stabilization and habitat restoration across 0.55 miles of riparian corridor.
- City of HobartcoreTwo-phase restoration project between 2019-2024 implementing green infrastructure to improve stormwater capacity and reduce flooding in the watershed draining to Lake Michigan.
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreSelected as one of 29 EPA Environmental Finance Centers to help communities access federal funding for water infrastructure and greenhouse gas reduction projects. Part of EPA's commitment to water equity in 1,500 disadvantaged communities with $500M investment.
- Compeer FinancialcoreAgricultural lender partner in Soil Health Land Valuation pilot program, testing soil health appraisal methodology with 11 Illinois farms in DeKalb County.
- Soil Health InstitutecorePartner in piloting soil health appraisal methodology, providing scientific expertise and research support for institutionalizing soil health in farmland valuation processes.
- Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO)coreLong-term partnership on Fisk and Crawford coal plant redevelopment task force and ongoing community hub planning (Centro de Solidaridad Mi Villita). Chicago Prize 2020 Finalist partnership.
- PERROminorCollaborated on Fisk and Crawford Reuse Task Force appointed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel for coal plant site redevelopment recommendations.
- Alliance for the Great LakescorePartner in Cheney Run wetland project, contributing to stormwater improvements and ecological restoration in Michigan City, Indiana.
- V3 CompaniesminorContractor partner on Cheney Run wetland creation project providing engineering and technical services.
- Geosyntec ConsultantsminorTechnical consultant partner on Cheney Run project for stormwater design and ecological engineering.
- Winrock International (Pasture Project)coreLong-term programmatic partner on grass-fed beef market development and regenerative grazing initiatives in the Chicago foodshed since 2019.
- Sand County FoundationcoreCollaborated on Pay for Performance conservation framework development, creating market-based incentives for farmers to improve water and soil quality.
- Farmland LPcorePartnership on sustainable agricultural land investment research, demonstrating 7.3% annual ecosystem gain and 10.5% annualized net economic return through regenerative agriculture.
- Earth EconomicsminorPartner in ecosystem valuation toolkit development and agricultural ecosystem service value quantification research.
- National Wildlife FederationcorePartner in nitrous oxide carbon credit methodology development and Saginaw Bay watershed conservation partnership.
- Bold Solutions Network / Lever for ChangeminorChicago Prize Finalist project joined Bold Solutions Network, initiative of Lever for Change (MacArthur Foundation affiliate).
- Greenprint PartnersminorPartner in Gary, Indiana phytoremediation project transforming vacant Bear Brand Hosiery site into public park.
- City of GarycoreLong-term municipal partner for green infrastructure planning, urban forestry, and vacant land remediation projects.
- Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC)coreLead partner on CommuniTree initiative and Northwest Indiana Tree Planting Consortium for regional forest canopy expansion.
- Davey Resource GroupcorePartner in Tree Planting Consortium providing ISA-Certified Arborist expertise, tree planting training, and TreeKeeper Canopy software access.
- Student Conservation AssociationminorPartner in Northwest Indiana Tree Planting Consortium supporting tree planting and community engagement activities.
- Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP)minorFellow EPA Region 5 Environmental Finance Center partnering on comparable scopes to better serve municipal clients.
- US Water AllianceminorNational EPA Environmental Finance Center partner, routinely attending trainings and collaborating on key water issues impacting communities.
- Regenerate IllinoisminorDelta is a founding member and serves on the Leadership Council of this statewide network for regenerative agriculture.
- Prairie Rivers NetworkminorLong-term programmatic partner on working lands conservation with water quality impacts, state affiliate of National Wildlife Federation.
- Illinois Environmental Council (IEC)minorRoutine collaborator on array of conservation projects and convenings to ensure clean air and water for Illinois communities.
- Midwest Climate Collaborative (MCC)minorMember organization with Delta presenting at MCC's first-ever conference in 2023 on climate resiliency vision.
- Conservation Finance NetworkminorNetwork member attending capacity building convenings and seeking feedback on innovative funding and financing models for projects.
- River NetworkminorDelta staff participate in Great Lakes Drinking Water Advocates Database and trainings on waterway protection and climate resilience.
- Resilient Infrastructure & Sustainable Communities (RISC)minorPartner organization facilitating quarterly cluster meetings and contracted services for green stormwater infrastructure across Great Lakes region.
- Chicago Wilderness AllianceminorRegional collaborative member with Delta staff attending monthly Urban Canopy team meetings with arborists and forestry professionals.
- Chicago River Watershed AllianceminorMember organization ensuring Chicago-area water quality projects are aligned and rooted in community through watershed-based stormwater management.
- Urban Waters PartnershipsminorPartner in NWI Urban Waters Partnership with 70+ local, state, federal partners for urban waterway protection and restoration.
- Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation DistrictsminorDelta staff attend annual meetings and share materials with member SWCDs across all Illinois counties.
- Michigan State University, College of Agriculture & Natural ResourcescoreOrganizational collaborator and project partner in Soil Health Land Valuation project efforts in Michigan.
- North Central Region Soil Health NexusminorUniversity-led team member attending monthly presentations and contributing to soil health research conversations.
- Diverse Corn Belt ProjectminorMulti-year project participant exploring diversification of Midwest crops beyond corn and soybeans.
- RE-AMPminorNetwork member attending monthly meetings and coordinating on GHG emissions reduction and Resilient Agriculture portfolio.
- Conservation FundcorePartner in Illinois Soil Health Incentive Program (SHIP) development and testing pay-for-outcomes conservation framework.
- Champaign County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictcorePartner in Illinois Soil Health Incentive Program development using Partners for Conservation contracting pathways.
- Illinois Healthy Soil and Waters CoalitionminorCoalition member participating in state-level advocacy for soil health programs and policy efforts.
- Trail Creek PartnershipminorWater quality and restoration project partner within Trail Creek Watershed in LaPorte County, Indiana draining to Lake Michigan.
- Zumwalt AcresminorRegenerative agriculture family farm consulting partnership in Sheldon, Illinois on agroforestry, biochar, and business planning.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Delta Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- River Network: National nonprofit supporting local water protection groups and drinking water advocates. Listed as a Delta partner through the Great Lakes Drinking Water Advocates Database, with overlapping work on waterway protection and climate resilience capacity building.
Direct peers
- Trust for Public Land: National conservation nonprofit working on urban forestry, green infrastructure, parks, and land conservation with strong Midwest presence. Competes head-to-head with Delta on municipal green infrastructure and urban canopy projects.
- The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit working on conservation finance, working lands protection, and innovative funding mechanisms. Already a partner of Delta on the Illinois Soil Health Incentive Program, and competes on the same Pay-for-Performance and conservation financing opportunities.
- Sand County Foundation: Conservation nonprofit focused on private working lands, soil health, and Pay-for-Performance conservation frameworks. Co-developed the Pay-for-Performance model with Delta, directly competing for soil health and farmer incentive program funding.
Regional players
- Environmental Law & Policy Center: Midwest environmental advocacy organization working on clean energy, water quality, and environmental justice. Comparable to Delta's environmental justice work (e.g., Centro de Solidaridad Mi Villita / Little Village) and competes for philanthropic and foundation dollars in the same region.
- Prairie Rivers Network: Illinois-focused conservation nonprofit working on water quality and working lands conservation. Long-term programmatic partner of Delta and Illinois affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, serving overlapping farmer and community networks.
- Great Lakes Commission: Binational U.S.–Canadian agency promoting Great Lakes environmental management and infrastructure funding. Overlaps with Delta's EPA Region 5 EFC water infrastructure mandate and the Cheney Run / Trail Creek watershed restoration footprint.
- Alliance for the Great Lakes: Regional Great Lakes-focused nonprofit working on water quality, stormwater, and ecological restoration. Partnered with Delta on the award-winning Cheney Run Wetland project and serves overlapping municipal clients across the same Lake Michigan watershed.
Broad incumbents
- Winrock International: International nonprofit implementing regenerative agriculture, carbon, and water quality programs, including Delta's long-term Pasture Project partnership. Overlaps on regenerative agriculture and voluntary carbon credit development in the Midwest.
- The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest environmental nonprofits, with major Midwest operations in conservation finance, regenerative agriculture, and nature-based climate solutions. Directly competes with Delta for the same federal and foundation funding pools across overlapping geographies.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Delta Institute social profiles
Digital presenceDelta Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Delta Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Delta Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Delta Institute 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 Delta Institute
What does Delta Institute do?
Delta Institute is a nonprofit environmental organization that delivers consulting, technical assistance, and project implementation services across the Midwest through three core programmatic pillars: Nature-Based Climate Solutions (stormwater management, green infrastructure, urban forestry), Resilient Agriculture (soil health, farmland valuation, regenerative practices), and Sustainability and Support Services (community planning, brownfield redevelopment, business sustainability). The organization also serves as the US EPA Region 5 Environmental Finance Center for Water Infrastructure, providing technical assistance to communities seeking federal water infrastructure funding.
Is Delta Institute a public or private company?
Delta Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Delta Institute founded?
Delta Institute was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Delta Institute based?
Delta Institute is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Delta Institute make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts and Grants are the primary driver. The others are foundation Grants, fee-for-Service / Consulting and donations.
Who are Delta Institute's main competitors?
River Network is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Trust for Public Land, The Conservation Fund and Sand County Foundation. Regional players are Environmental Law & Policy Center, Prairie Rivers Network, Great Lakes Commission and Alliance for the Great Lakes. Broad incumbents are Winrock International and The Nature Conservancy.
Does Delta Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Delta Institute.
What industry is Delta Institute in?
Delta Institute's product category is Environmental Consulting Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUANAEAE, Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GI/LID) (Bioretention, Permeable Pavements, Green Roofs), with a secondary code of IMAMAJAK, Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES). Its NAICS code is 541620 and its SIC code is 8711.