Great River Greening
Great River Greening is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that restores and sustainably manages over 10,000 acres of natural, urban, and agricultural land annually through science-based programs in tree planting, biochar production, regenerative agriculture, and youth environmental education.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1995
- HeadquartersSaint Paul, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Great River Greening does
Great River Greening is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1995 and headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that restores and sustainably manages natural, urban, and agricultural lands across the state. The organization uses science-based practices to restore over 10,000 acres per year across more than 400 natural areas, with a cumulative footprint exceeding 62,000 acres since inception and a stated goal of reaching 100,000 acres by 2030. Its programmatic portfolio spans four pillars: Natural Lands (prairies, grasslands, forests, oak savannas, wetlands, shorelines), Community and Urban Lands (urban tree canopy, pollinator habitat, community green space), Farm and Agricultural Lands (regenerative agriculture, silvopasture, Continuous Living Cover crops including Kernza perennial grain), and a Youth Education program called Future Stewards serving K-12 students. The Cooling Minnesota Communities (CMC) initiative, the Biochar Initiative using flame-capped kilns to convert waste wood into carbon-sequestering soil amendment, and Greening Solutions (fee-for-service restoration for landowners with 3+ acres) are signature technical offerings.
The organization is funded through a diversified mix of individual donations, monthly sustaining gifts ($10+ minimum), commemorative Living Legacy Tree donations at $100 per tree, corporate sponsorships and team-building events priced $4,000–$10,000, foundation grants (Cargill $150K, Life Time Foundation $3M+ since late 2023), state trust funds (Outdoor Heritage Fund, Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund), and federal grants (notably a $10 million USDA Forest Service award in 2023 via the Inflation Reduction Act). Corporate partners include Cargill, Best Buy, Ecolab, Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Connexus Energy, Pentair, Mortenson, Thrivent, AP Construction, and the Minnesota Twins, among others. Revenue is supported by a small e-commerce merchandise storefront as a secondary stream. Great River Greening holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating, a Candid Seal of Transparency, and a Council Meets Standards Seal from Smart Givers, signaling above-average nonprofit accountability. The organization operates as a programmatic portfolio rather than a technology platform, with no proprietary software product, no API or SDK offerings, and no disclosed AI/ML capability.
Great River Greening firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Great River Greening
- Legal name
- Great River Greening
- Website
- https://greatrivergreening.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1995
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Great River Greening is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1995 that restores and sustainably manages over 10,000 acres of natural, urban, and agricultural land annually through science-based programs in tree planting, biochar production, regenerative agriculture, and youth environmental education.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Great River Greening industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Restoration Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Forestry (1153), Landscaping Services (561730)
- SIC
- Agricultural Services (700), Forestry (800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Wetland, Riparian & Buffer Services (within forest landscapes) (AFAMAMAI), Conservation Agriculture (Erosion Control, Contour/Strip Cropping, Mulching) (AFAGAMAB)
Keywords
Where Great River Greening is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint Paul
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Great River Greening business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Individual Donations and Grants: Primary revenue from individual gifts, foundation grants, and government funding including Outdoor Heritage Fund and Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
- Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Annual sponsorships supporting statewide work, project-specific sponsorships, and corporate restoration services. Private team-building events priced at $4,000-$10,000 based on group size.
- Merchandise Sales: E-commerce storefront selling branded merchandise including apparel, drinkware, and accessories with prices ranging from $11.50 (patches) to $45 (hoodies). All proceeds support Great River Greening's vision.
- Living Legacy Tree Program: Commemorative tree donations at $100 per tree, honoring or memorializing loved ones while supporting ongoing land restoration projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Donation-based support with merchandise and event add-ons |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | One-time and per-unit donations |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Great River Greening product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Great River Greening provides science-based land restoration and sustainable management services across natural lands, urban/community lands, farms, and pollinator habitats throughout Minnesota. Core offerings include the Cooling Minnesota Communities urban tree planting initiative, biochar production from waste wood using specialized kilns, the Future Stewards K-12 environmental education program, Greening Solutions professional restoration services for landowners, and volunteer engagement.
Product overview
Great River Greening is a nonprofit environmental organization offering nature-based climate solutions through land restoration and community engagement programs. The organization operates as a unified portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a traditional product platform. Core offerings include the Cooling Minnesota Communities urban tree canopy program, the Biochar Initiative for sustainable land management, Future Stewards youth education, and Natural Lands/Farm restoration services. Supporting programs include volunteer engagement, Living Legacy Tree donations, Greening Solutions professional services, and merchandise. All programs work together to advance the organization's mission of inspiring communities to conserve and care for Minnesota's land and water resources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cooling Minnesota Communities (CMC): A massive tree planting initiative to plant and maintain over 10,000 trees across several Minnesota cities impacted by urban heat island effects.
- Future Stewards
- Biochar Initiative
Products and services
- Cooling Minnesota Communities (CMC) A massive tree planting initiative to plant and maintain over 10,000 trees across multiple Minnesota cities impacted by urban heat island effects. Distributes free trees to eligible residents and plants trees in public spaces including school campuses, city properties, and parks. Targets climate-resilient species and right-tree-right-place placement methodology.
- Future Stewards Hands-on environmental education program connecting pre-K-12 students with classroom curriculum through real-world nature experiences. Engages students in habitat design and restoration work, including tree planting events at K-12 school sites.
- Biochar Initiative Program processing waste wood in specialized flame-capped kilns for sustainable land management and carbon sequestration. Locks up to 80% of carbon in biomass into stable solid form and offers equipment rental, cost-share programs, and education on implementing biochar as an alternative to open pile burns.
- Living Legacy Trees Commemorative tree donation program allowing individuals to give a gift in honor or memory of someone at $100 per tree. Donations support land-based restoration and forest efforts throughout Minnesota.
- Greening Solutions Professional restoration services offering on-site biochar production, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management for property owners, municipalities, and organizations with properties of at least three acres. Includes hire-us engagement model for technical assistance.
- Volunteer Program Public and private volunteer events for hands-on restoration work including planting, seeding, and invasive species removal. Includes private corporate events and a volunteer supervisor training program. Engages thousands of volunteers annually.
- Farm and Agriculture Program Partnership program with farmers and agricultural communities supporting regenerative agriculture practices including silvopasture, Continuous Living Cover crops, and Kernza perennial grain cultivation in southern Minnesota.
- Natural Lands Restoration Restoration and sustainable management of natural habitats including prairies, grasslands, forests, oak savannas, wetlands, and shorelines across Minnesota.
- Community and Urban Lands Restoring and revitalizing urban and community green spaces to provide pollinator habitat, expand tree canopy, and engage communities in planting and environmental learning.
- Merchandise Store Official merchandise e-commerce storefront selling hoodies, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, tote bags, water bottles, pint glasses, camp mugs, notebooks, and embroidered patches, with all proceeds supporting Great River Greening's mission.
- Corporate Partnership Program Corporate ESG partnership program offering annual sponsorship, project sponsorship, and corporate property restoration with private team-building events priced from $4,000 to $10,000 based on group size (15-74+ people).
- Sustaining Donor Program Monthly giving program providing consistent support for land restoration, with new sustainers receiving a limited edition pint glass for minimum $10 monthly contributions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 61,000 metric tons of carbon sequestered annually, equivalent to taking 13,260 cars off the road
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Great River Greening
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Great River Greening technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Great River Greening partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
22 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Trust for Public LandminorNational nonprofit partnered with Life Time Foundation on environmental initiatives including tree plantings.
- Forest ReLeaf of MissouriminorRegional nonprofit partner in Life Time Foundation environmental grant program.
- American ForestscoreNational conservation organization partnered through Life Time Foundation for tree planting and reforestation efforts.
- AP ConstructioncoreCorporate partner displaying logo on partnerships page, indicating financial or service support for Great River Greening's restoration mission.
- Best BuycoreCorporate partner supporting environmental initiatives and restoration work throughout Minnesota.
- CenterPoint EnergycoreCorporate partner providing support through CenterPoint Energy Foundation for biochar and urban forestry initiatives.
- Connexus EnergycoreCorporate partner in energy sector supporting environmental restoration efforts.
- EcolabcoreCorporate partner displaying logo on partnerships page.
- MortensoncoreCorporate partner with logo displayed on partnerships page.
- PentaircoreCorporate partner with Foundation providing water grants supporting environmental projects.
- Xcel EnergycoreCorporate partner in energy sector supporting Minnesota environmental initiatives.
- ThriventcoreCorporate partner supporting charitable and community initiatives.
- Minnesota TwinscoreMLB team partnering with volunteers for land restoration and advancing watershed protection in Minnesota.
- City of BemidjicorePartner in tree replanting after historic storm damage, planting 100 trees in restoration effort.
- City of FaribaultcorePartner in CMC program for tree canopy expansion, free tree distribution to residents in low-canopy areas.
- City of St. CloudcorePartner in CMC program and received $10M grant for urban tree planting to cool heat islands.
- City of OwatonnacorePartner in CMC program for tree planting and free tree distribution.
- City of Brooklyn CentercorePartner in CMC program, hosted gravel bed stocking and tree planting events.
- City of MankatocorePartner in CMC program, partnered to plant 50 trees at Hiniker Pond for urban cooling.
- St. Paul Public Housing AgencycorePartnered to plant 70 trees at McDonough Homes public housing complex.
- Dakota County ParkscoreLong-term partner for goat grazing to control invasive species at Lebanon Hills Regional Park, with volunteer Chew Crew program.
- UponorminorPartnered with Great River Greening and Minnesota Twins to advance watershed protection in Minnesota.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Great River Greening competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- Forest ReLeaf of Missouri: Regional nonprofit partner in the Life Time Foundation grant program focused on reforestation in Missouri; similar tree-planting and community-volunteer restoration model but operating in a different geographic market.
Direct peers
- American Forests: National conservation organization dedicated to forestry and urban tree planting; directly partners with GRG through the Life Time Foundation grant program and operates with a comparable tree-canopy and reforestation focus.
- The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and creating parks for people; directly partners with Great River Greening through the Life Time Foundation grant program on tree-planting initiatives and shares a similar land-restoration mission.
- Minnesota Land Trust: Minnesota-focused conservation nonprofit protecting natural and scenic lands through restoration and stewardship; directly comparable regional scope, mission, and landowner-engagement approach.
- Freshwater Society: Minnesota-based nonprofit focused on water resource protection, including watershed and shoreline restoration; directly comparable regional focus and overlapping water-quality programming.
- Pheasants Forever: Minnesota-headquartered nonprofit focused on habitat conservation, prairie restoration, and sustainable land management; highly comparable mission and regional focus, with overlapping landowner and government-partner engagement.
Broad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation nonprofit with operations across prairies, forests, and watersheds; comparable science-based restoration approach but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
- Ducks Unlimited: Large conservation nonprofit specializing in wetland and grassland restoration; comparable habitat-restoration activities and similar government-grant funding model, but operates at national scale.
- The Conservation Fund: National nonprofit focused on land and water conservation with both acquisition and restoration activities; comparable portfolio of conservation services and government partnerships.
Emerging players
- Soil Regen: Emerging player in regenerative agriculture and soil health with continuous living cover and cover-crop services; overlapping with GRG's Farm and Agriculture program (e.g., Kernza, CLC crops) but operating as a for-profit services provider.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Great River Greening social profiles
Digital presenceGreat River Greening financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Great River Greening leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Great River Greening funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Great River Greening 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 Great River Greening
What does Great River Greening do?
Great River Greening provides science-based land restoration and sustainable management services across natural lands, urban/community lands, farms, and pollinator habitats throughout Minnesota. Core offerings include the Cooling Minnesota Communities urban tree planting initiative, biochar production from waste wood using specialized kilns, the Future Stewards K-12 environmental education program, Greening Solutions professional restoration services for landowners, and volunteer engagement.
Is Great River Greening a public or private company?
Great River Greening is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Great River Greening founded?
Great River Greening was founded in 1995. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Great River Greening based?
Great River Greening is headquartered in Saint Paul, United States, in the North America region.
How does Great River Greening make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations and Grants are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships, merchandise Sales and living Legacy Tree Program.
Who are Great River Greening's main competitors?
Forest ReLeaf of Missouri is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are American Forests, The Trust for Public Land, Minnesota Land Trust, Freshwater Society and Pheasants Forever. Broad incumbents are The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and The Conservation Fund. Soil Regen is listed as an emerging player.
Does Great River Greening have an API?
No public API is recorded for Great River Greening.
What industry is Great River Greening in?
Great River Greening's product category is Environmental Restoration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAJAH, Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian), with a secondary code of BPAGAGAK, Water Resources & Watershed Protection. Its NAICS code is 1153 and its SIC code is 700.