Alternatives for Community & Environment
Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) environmental justice nonprofit, founded in 1994, that delivers legal services, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing to frontline communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersRoxbury, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Alternatives for Community & Environment does
Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental justice organization founded in 1994 in Massachusetts and recognized as the first environmental justice nonprofit in the state. It serves frontline communities—primarily low-income communities and communities of color in Massachusetts and Rhode Island—that bear disproportionate environmental and infrastructure burdens. ACE's work spans legal services, policy advocacy, community organizing, and education, with named programs including the Environmental Justice Legal Services (EJLS), the Environmental Justice Action Network (EJAN) of more than 600 experts, the Toxic Tours educational series, REEP, the T Riders Union, and Development Without Displacement.
ACE's operational platform combines direct legal representation with coalition-based policy campaigns and grassroots organizing, anchored by three offices: Roxbury (headquarters), Back Bay in Boston, and Providence, Rhode Island, the latter added in 2024 to extend service delivery beyond Massachusetts. In 2024, ACE was selected to oversee the allocation of $50 million in EPA Justice40 funding, a significant scaling of its role as a fiscal and programmatic intermediary for federal environmental justice dollars, and it convened a JUST TECH gathering focused on the environmental impacts of AI and data centers.
The organization's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix of foundation and government grants, donations, program fees, and speaking engagements. With an estimated 10–20 employees and leadership under Executive Director Dwaign Tyndal, ACE operates as a lean intermediary whose value proposition to funders and communities is its combination of legal capacity, policy expertise, and on-the-ground organizing in New England.
Alternatives for Community & Environment firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Alternatives for Community & Environment
- Legal name
- Alternatives for Community and Environment, Inc.
- Website
- https://ace-ej.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) environmental justice nonprofit, founded in 1994, that delivers legal services, policy advocacy, and grassroots organizing to frontline communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Alternatives for Community & Environment industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Justice Advocacy Services
- NAICS
- Human Rights Organizations (813311), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Environmental Compliance & Permitting (BPAHAJAA)
Keywords
Where Alternatives for Community & Environment is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Roxbury
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Alternatives for Community & Environment business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and Government Funding: ACE receives government grants including EPA Justice40 funding ($50 million oversight role along with Health Resources in Action and New England Grassroots Environmental Fund), state environmental justice funding, and legislative budget allocations. They also advocate for environmental justice budget amendments.
- Donations and Contributions: Individual donations through their PowerBase platform, major donor contributions, and fundraising events including the Bhoomi: Mother Earth dance show benefit. Sliding scale donations accepted for toxic tours.
- Program Service Fees: Toxic Tours generate revenue through sliding scale honorariums ($100-$500/hour). Services are free or reduced for EJ community residents.
- Speaking Engagements and Workshops: ACE provides workshops, webinars, and speaking engagements on environmental justice topics for fees
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Toxic Tours with sliding scale honorarium |
| Other | Annual | Staff Attorney salary and benefits |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Youth Organizer Leaders contractor rate |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Alternatives for Community & Environment product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) is a Roxbury-based nonprofit that delivers environmental justice advocacy through community organizing, free legal services, youth leadership programs, and policy campaigns. Its core offerings include Environmental Justice Legal Services (EJLS), the Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN) pro bono referral network, Toxic Tours, the Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP) youth program, and the T Riders Union transit advocacy initiative.
Product overview
Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) operates as a nonprofit environmental justice organization offering a suite of interconnected programs and services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include: Environmental Justice Legal Services (EJLS) which provides legal framework and representation; the Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN) a pro bono referral network matching experts with communities; Toxic Tours educational walking tours; the youth-focused Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP); and the T Riders Union transit advocacy program. These programs work together to advance environmental justice through legal advocacy, community organizing, youth empowerment, and public education.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Environmental Justice Legal Services (EJLS) ACE's core legal program providing legal and technical assistance to community groups and allies, anchoring organizational and coalition work with a robust legal framework grounded in federal and state civil rights and environmental law.
- Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN) A pro bono capacity-building and referral network that matches legal, scientific, public health, and technical experts with communities addressing environmental justice challenges across New England; 600+ expert network members.
- Toxic Tours Walking tours of Nubian Square and the Dudley neighborhood that educate participants about environmental justice history and the development-without-displacement campaign; approximately two hours in length, with sliding-scale honorarium of $100-$500/hour.
- Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP) A youth-led, adult-supported environmental justice community organizing program that develops leadership and builds youth power through campaigns and projects for youth of color from Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan.
- T Riders Union An organization of transit riders fighting for first-class MBTA service in Greater Boston, serving as a voice for equitable public transportation in lower-income communities and communities of color.
- Development Without Displacement A campaign working with architects, lawyers, developers, and housing and climate activists to build sustainable solutions including energy-efficient housing, fair public transit, and community input in Boston development.
- Restore Our Civil Rights Community Dinner A monthly potluck dinner for Roxbury residents addressing public policy neglect through discussions on air pollution, development, and service needs while building community support.
- Massachusetts Environmental Justice Advocacy Network (MEJAN) A program providing legal and technical assistance to neighborhood groups in low-income communities and communities of color facing environmental, development, or public health problems; currently being restructured.
- Public Education & Speaking Engagements Workshops, webinars, and speaking engagements covering environmental justice, protected classes, housing segregation, climate change, public transit, and development without displacement.
Quantifiable outcome
- Mayor Marty Walsh signed Diesel Emissions Reduction Ordinance (DERO) after 5-year ACE campaign
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Alternatives for Community & Environment
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Alternatives for Community & Environment technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Alternatives for Community & Environment partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered notable, core and major.
- One Square WorldnotableCo-organized JUST TECH convening on environmental justice challenges in energy, technology, and finance. Partnership to address AI and data center impacts on frontline communities.
- Yale Law School Environmental Justice and Advocacy CliniccorePro bono co-counsel on appeal of DEP air permit for Markley data center expansion in Lowell. Matched with Honest Future for Lowell through EJAN.
- Union of Concerned ScientistscorePartner in EJAN training sessions and collaborative research on environmental justice and public health. Hosted joint training on community-research partnerships.
- Boston University School of Public HealthcoreCollaborative partner in EJAN relaunch in May 2024. BU School of Public Health provides public health expertise and research support for environmental justice initiatives.
- Conservation Law FoundationcoreCollaborative partner in EJAN relaunch in May 2024. CLF provides legal expertise and advocacy support for environmental justice cases across New England.
- SlingshotcoreCollaborative partner in EJAN relaunch. Slingshot provides organizing support and capacity building for community groups working on environmental justice issues.
- Health Resources in ActionmajorACE was selected along with Health Resources in Action and New England Grassroots Environmental Fund to oversee $50 million in EPA Justice40 funding for regional environmental justice work.
- New England Grassroots Environmental FundmajorACE was selected along with Health Resources in Action and New England Grassroots Environmental Fund to oversee $50 million in EPA Justice40 funding for regional environmental justice work.
- Green Justice CoalitioncoreStatewide environmental justice nonprofit coalition working on electricity alternatives in Boston, energy efficiency for renters, and climate justice initiatives.
- Massachusetts Environmental Justice AlliancecoreCoalition organized for 5 years to pass Executive Order on Environmental Justice, signed by Governor Patrick in 2014. ACE anchors this statewide coalition.
- Transit Is Essential CoalitionnotableCoalition working on safe streets advocacy and transportation funding priorities with Boston City Council.
- Boston Tenant CoalitionnotablePartnership for community workshop on Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing and its connection to environmental justice.
- Franklin Park DefendersnotableCommunity group ACE and EJAN support in challenging White Stadium development through environmental justice perspective and Article 97 protections.
- Emerald Necklace ConservancynotableACE collaborated with community-based organizations to file amicus brief in support of Emerald Necklace Conservancy's challenge to White Stadium project.
- Massachusetts Land Trust CoalitionnotableConservation groups including this coalition filed legal statements challenging White Stadium project, arguing it could erode park protections statewide.
- Synapse Energy EconomicscoreCambridge-based environmental consultant that prepared ACE's report on power sector impacts on environmental justice communities.
- Healthy Neighborhoods StudynotableResearch initiative partnered with EJAN for training on community-research partnerships for environmental justice and public health research.
- iSupernotableResearch initiative partnered with EJAN for training on community-research partnerships for environmental justice and public health research.
- Clean Water ActionnotableCollaborative partner in Diesel Emissions Reduction Ordinance (DERO) campaign with ACE and City of Boston.
- Massachusetts Environmental Justice TablecoreCoalition of EJ organizations including ACE that crafts environmental justice legislation and coordinates advocacy at State House.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Alternatives for Community & Environment competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GreenRoots: Chelsea, Massachusetts-based environmental justice nonprofit that organizes residents of color and low-income communities around air quality, open space, and development issues. Operates an essentially identical community-based EJ organizing model in a neighboring Boston-area city.
- The Greenlining Institute: California-based racial and economic equity organization that combines research, advocacy, and coalition-building on environmental, economic, and infrastructure issues. Comparable EJ/economic justice organizing methodology and policy-campaign muscle, applied at the state level.
- Union of Concerned Scientists: Science-based environmental advocacy organization that pairs technical and scientific expertise with policy advocacy and coalition campaigns. Directly comparable advocacy methodology; ACE partnered with UCS on EJAN training and community-research partnerships.
- Slingshot: Nonprofit that supports organizing capacity building for social and environmental justice groups, including training, convening, and leadership development. Directly comparable organizing methodology and EJAN collaboration partner.
- Health Resources in Action: Boston-based public health nonprofit that combines health equity, environmental health, and capacity-building programs. Directly comparable public-health-and-EJ mission and Boston footprint; co-administers the $50M Justice40 grant with ACE.
- WE ACT for Environmental Justice: Northern Manhattan-based environmental justice organization that combines community organizing, policy advocacy, and youth leadership. Highly comparable model: frontline-community EJ organizing plus youth programs and policy campaigns, scaled nationally as a reference point for orgs like ACE.
- Conservation Law Foundation: New England-based environmental advocacy organization that uses legal advocacy, policy campaigns, and coalition organizing to drive EJ outcomes. Directly comparable in geography, legal-services approach, and coalition model; collaborates with ACE on EJAN.
- New England Grassroots Environmental Fund: Regional funder and capacity builder that supports grassroots environmental justice work across New England. Peer in scope, regional footprint, and EJ grantmaking; co-administers the $50M EPA Justice40 funding with ACE.
Broad incumbents
- Earthjustice: National environmental law organization with a broad litigation, policy, and EJ portfolio. Operates in the same EJ advocacy space as ACE but at national scale and with paid litigator teams rather than a community-organizing base.
- Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): National environmental advocacy organization with significant EJ programming, lobbying capacity, and multi-state litigation. Comparable advocacy focus and federal-level policy influence, but operates at vastly greater scale and broader issue scope.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Alternatives for Community & Environment social profiles
Digital presenceAlternatives for Community & Environment financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Alternatives for Community & Environment leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Alternatives for Community & Environment funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Alternatives for Community & Environment 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 Alternatives for Community & Environment
What does Alternatives for Community & Environment do?
Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE) is a Roxbury-based nonprofit that delivers environmental justice advocacy through community organizing, free legal services, youth leadership programs, and policy campaigns. Its core offerings include Environmental Justice Legal Services (EJLS), the Environmental Justice Assistance Network (EJAN) pro bono referral network, Toxic Tours, the Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP) youth program, and the T Riders Union transit advocacy initiative.
Is Alternatives for Community & Environment a public or private company?
Alternatives for Community & Environment is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Alternatives for Community & Environment founded?
Alternatives for Community & Environment was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Alternatives for Community & Environment based?
Alternatives for Community & Environment is headquartered in Roxbury, United States, in the North America region.
How does Alternatives for Community & Environment make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Grants and Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions, program Service Fees and speaking Engagements and Workshops.
Who are Alternatives for Community & Environment's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GreenRoots, The Greenlining Institute, Union of Concerned Scientists, Slingshot, Health Resources in Action, WE ACT for Environmental Justice, Conservation Law Foundation and New England Grassroots Environmental Fund. Broad incumbents are Earthjustice and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
Does Alternatives for Community & Environment have an API?
No public API is recorded for Alternatives for Community & Environment.
What industry is Alternatives for Community & Environment in?
Alternatives for Community & Environment's product category is Environmental Justice Advocacy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAL, Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health, with a secondary code of BPAHAJAA, Environmental Compliance & Permitting. Its NAICS code is 813311 and its SIC code is 8600.