What Green Empowerment does

Green Empowerment is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that designs and deploys community-scale renewable energy, clean water, and sanitation infrastructure for Indigenous and rural communities across 13+ countries in Latin America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Africa. Its core technical offerings include micro-hydro minigrids, solar photovoltaic home systems, biogas digesters, community-scale water and WaSH infrastructure, and improved cookstoves. The organization differentiates through a proprietary DREAM Tool methodology for prioritizing healthcare clinic electrification using a smartphone-based data collection app and visualization dashboards, plus open-access technical resources covering smart grid management for small grids.

Its business model is a charitable nonprofit structure: services are not sold; instead, the organization is funded by individual donations (one-time, recurring, legacy/Reuss Legacy Circle), foundation grants (e.g., Paul Liebman Family Foundation, Meal A Day of the Americas), and corporate partnerships (e.g., PETROTAL, PS&S). Projects are delivered through a hub-and-spoke partner network of 25+ in-country organizations that handle community engagement, cultural translation, and implementation, while Green Empowerment provides technical guidance, training, and capacity building. Communities contribute labor and partial cost-sharing (e.g., 50% upfront through agricultural sales in the CACAONICA cocoa cooperative). The organization reports a 97% project sustainability rate and serves as an implementation partner for funders rather than a vendor to end beneficiaries.

Name

Green Empowerment

Legal name

Green Empowerment

Website

https://greenempowerment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Green Empowerment is a Portland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that partners with 25+ in-country organizations to deploy community-scale renewable energy, clean water, and sanitation infrastructure for Indigenous and rural communities across 13+ countries in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Renewable Energy and Water Infrastructure Services (Nonprofit International Development)

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Utilities (22), Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services (4900), Services-Social Services (8300), Water Supply (4941)

akta.pro primary industry

Renewable Energy & Clean Tech Access (Off-grid, Energy Poverty Solutions) (BPAGALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) (BPAGABAC), Infrastructure, Housing & Community Development (BPAGABAL), Microgrid Development, EPC & Integration (EUAMAJAB)

Keywords

• Renewable energy systems
• Clean water access
• Water sanitation hygiene
• Rural electrification
• Community development

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through the organization's website via credit card and other payment methods. The organization offers various giving options including one-time donations, recurring donations, and legacy gifts through estate planning.
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from private and family foundations such as the Paul Liebman Family Foundation and Meal A Day of the Americas, typically for specific multi-year projects.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with corporations for project funding and implementation support, such as PS&S engineering firm in Nicaragua.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Green Empowerment designs, builds, and transfers ownership of community-scale renewable energy systems (solar home systems, micro-hydro minigrids, biogas digesters, community microgrids) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure for rural and Indigenous communities in developing countries. Projects are implemented through long-term in-country partner organizations, with technical training and capacity building so communities can independently operate and maintain systems. The organization is funded by individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate partners and does not charge beneficiaries for services.

Product overview

Green Empowerment is a non-profit organization that offers a portfolio of infrastructure and capacity-building services rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include renewable energy systems (solar home systems, micro-hydro, biogas digesters), water sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) infrastructure, community-scale microgrids, improved cookstoves, and cascade water system rehabilitation. These are delivered through authentic in-country partnerships with local organizations. Supporting offerings include the Force of Water documentary, Project Journey series, a Technical Resources Library, and the DREAM Tool methodology for healthcare electrification prioritization. The organization does not operate a SaaS platform but rather implements hardware and community development projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Renewable Energy Systems

Quantifiable outcome

• Families save 15-20 USD per month on candles, batteries, and kerosene through solar home systems
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Energía, Ambiente y Sostenibilidad (EA&S)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partner in Peru since 2019, providing local expertise in environmental and energy policy. Collaborated with Green Empowerment on 20 communities across Puno, Peru to build community-managed water systems. EA&S Director Rafael Escobar leads technical training programs and communal work days with communities.
• Water for People PerucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Peru focusing on water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) programs, including COVID-19 relief efforts in Northern Peru.
• Soluciones Practicas Bolivia (Practical Action Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Bolivia since 2017 working on community-scale water systems, community-scale microgrids, and sanitation and hygiene in schools in the Bolivian highlands.
• ALTROPICOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Ecuador since 2015 focusing on community-scale water systems, watershed conservation, sanitation, and WaSH training. Provided photography contributions and technical staff for water system implementation.
• ENGIMsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational development NGO partner in Ecuador working on water and environmental projects.
• Association of Rural Development Workers - Benjamin Linder (ATDER-BL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time partner in Nicaragua since 1997, focusing on micro-hydro community-scale energy systems, household solar, community-scale water systems, sanitation, watershed conservation, and improved cookstoves. Named after Benjamin Linder, a US engineer killed while working on hydroelectric projects in Nicaragua.
• CACAONICAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCocoa cooperative partner in Nicaragua helping 210 rural households (960 people) install home solar systems since October 2021. Families pay 50% upfront and balance through cacao sales. Cooperative grew from 295 to 412 members due to project awareness.
• FEDICAMPsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Nicaragua working on rural development projects.
• AVODECsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNicaragua partner organization focused on community development and water access.
• ADDACsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNicaragua partner organization participating in development projects.
• SibatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Philippines since 2001 focusing on community-scale minigrids and training programs for renewable energy implementation.
• YamogsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhilippines partner organization focused on renewable energy solutions.
• PACOS TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in Malaysian Borneo since early engagement, focusing on biogas digesters, community organizing, innovation & coalition building, community-scale microgrids, watershed conservation, and training center operations. Executive Director Anne Lasimbang recognized for community work.
• TONIBUNGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time partner in Malaysian Borneo working on micro-hydro manufacturing and installation. Collaborated on Long Tanid micro-hydro project providing 11.6kW to 54 households. Women of TONIBUNG highlighted for technical contributions.
• Forever SabahsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMalaysian Borneo partner focused on conservation and sustainable development in Sabah region.
• KOBEL (Kopel Kinabatangan)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Malaysian Borneo working on renewable energy and community development.
• Border Green Energy Team (BGET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Myanmar since 2005 focusing on solar for healthcare facilities. Trained 17 medical staff in solar installation, operation, and maintenance for 8 clinics.
• AMABsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndonesia partner since 2020 working on community-scale micro-hydro minigrid: training and project feasibility studies.
• JanathakshancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Sri Lanka since 2002 focused on training and cascade water system rehabilitation. Leading 5-year strategy to benefit 5,000 community members through water access and sustainable agriculture in the Dry Zone.
• Medical Teams InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Uganda working on solar power electrification of health clinics. Provided photographs and collaboration on healthcare facility projects.
• Mandulis EnergysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUganda partner organization in the energy sector supporting rural electrification projects.
• El ComuncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongest-running partner in Colombia since 2016. Executive Director Sara Marcela Alhucema participated in community water management training. Work includes biodigesters, orchards, rainwater reservoirs, and first Colombia WaSH project in Guapotá.
• UTAsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia partner foundation working on development projects.
• ASOMAINCUPACOsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHonduras partner since 2023 working on community-scale water and sanitation systems in La Paz Department.
• Municipalidad de HuancanésupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government in Peru collaborating on Cucho Yanaoco project, approached by community leaders to work together on water system improvements.
• CorambientesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombia partner organization with Executive Director Clara Esther Martínez and Social and Community Promoter Maria Fernanda Reyes participating in community water management training.
• Despensa AmazónicasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner contributing to the success of Bretaña ice-making facility project in Peru.
• The Water TrustsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUganda partner organization visited during first Uganda staff visit, potential partner for piped water supply projects.
• Universidad de Los AndessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian university that presented a four-day course on community water management in collaboration with CENSAT Agua Viva.
• CENSAT Agua VivasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerColombian NGO that co-presented community water management training with Universidad de Los Andes on topics including hydrology, water supply, solidarity aspects, and gender approach.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SolarAid: Nonprofit addressing energy poverty through solar lights in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. Overlaps on off-grid solar deployment for rural households and share a similar donation-driven, partnership-led delivery model.
• Engineers Without Borders USA: Nonprofit mobilizing engineers to build water, sanitation, energy, and infrastructure projects with international partner communities. Highly comparable volunteer/staff-lean model, community-owned outcomes, and impact verticals.
• Pollinate Energy: Nonprofit distributing solar lights and clean cookstoves to families in India, Nepal, and the Philippines. Overlaps Green Empowerment's off-grid solar deployment, household-level energy access metrics, and in-country partner sales channels.
• Barefoot College: India-based nonprofit training rural women (mostly grandmothers) to install and maintain solar electrification systems globally. Directly comparable model on solar training-led, community-owned rural electrification and a focus on women-led local capacity building.
• Practical Action: UK-based international development NGO operating across Latin America, Africa, and South Asia. Practically identical mandate: renewable energy access (micro-hydro, solar), community-scale WaSH, and partner-led delivery in biodiverse, energy-poor regions.
• IEEE Smart Village: Volunteer-led initiative providing renewable energy, education, and entrepreneurship to off-grid communities worldwide. Shares Green Empowerment's micro-hydro and solar microgrid deployment modality and partner-empowerment approach.
• WaterAid: Global nonprofit focused on clean water, sanitation and hygiene for rural and marginalized communities. Highly comparable target population and program mix (WaSH) at much larger scale; overlaps Green Empowerment's work in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia.
• SELCO Foundation: India-based nonprofit focused on decentralized renewable energy for underserved households. Comparable mandate on energy poverty and WaSH integration, with similar emphasis on local capacity building rather than product sales.

Broad incumbents

• d.light: For-profit social enterprise at scale serving 100M+ people with pay-as-you-go solar across Africa and Asia. Operates in identical end-markets to Green Empowerment but with a commoditized product model rather than bespoke community-utility infrastructure.
• Sun King (Greenlight Planet): Largest pay-as-you-go off-grid solar distributor serving tens of millions of households across Africa and Asia. Competes with Green Empowerment for the same energy-poor household segment, with fundamentally different (mass-market product) delivery model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 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 Green Empowerment