Ojai Valley Green Coalition

What Ojai Valley Green Coalition does

Ojai Valley Green Coalition (OVGC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization founded in 2006 and headquartered in Ojai, California, that operates as a grassroots hub for environmental coordination across the Ojai Valley. The organization serves as a connective platform among local residents, environmental nonprofits, community organizations, and local businesses, aggregating events from 55+ partner organizations and coordinating programming including Green Drinks (monthly networking), Green Gardening workshops at the Ojai Demonstration Garden, the Green Reads book club, Earth Day events, creek cleanups, e-waste collections, and seed swaps. Its most consequential current initiative is the Ojai Ecology Center master plan for an 8-acre open-space parcel surrounding Ojai City Hall, including Middle Stewart Canyon Creek, developed under a City of Ojai grant beginning in 2022.

OVGC's core technology stack is minimal: the organization runs on the Locable platform (partnered Spring 2025) for content management, partner directory listings, and cross-promotion event distribution across the local-organization network. There is no proprietary technology, no mobile app, no disclosed API or SDK, and no integration ecosystem. Programs are delivered in person at distributed community venues including the Ojai City Hall campus, the Demonstration Garden at 415 S. Ventura St., St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and Farmer and the Cook. Staffing is intentionally lean — two paid roles (Executive Director Lauren Nilsson, Coordinator Dass Richardson) plus a six-member volunteer Board of Directors — and the organization has no disclosed revenue figures or commercial products.

The revenue model is donation-based: OVGC accepts tax-deductible contributions from individuals and organizations (Tax ID 262157890), supplemented by event sponsorships (e.g., The Ojai Retreat & Inn, Farmer and the Cook) and project-specific grants (notably the City of Ojai Eco Center grant). Programs and events are free to attend, with occasional partner-hosted paid offerings such as Taft Gardens stargazing ($35) and Natural Building Workshops ticketed via Mama Tree Farm. The go-to-market motion is community-led — activating volunteers and donors through the website, email newsletter, event calendar, and 20+ partner organization cross-promotion — rather than sales-driven.

Name

Ojai Valley Green Coalition

Legal name

Ojai Valley Green Coalition

Website

https://ojaivalleygreencoalition.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ojai Valley Green Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2006 that serves as a community hub connecting Ojai Valley residents, environmental nonprofits, and local businesses through environmental programs, events, and the planned Ojai Ecology Center. It funds operations via donations and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Nonprofit / Community Environmental Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Civic and Social Organizations (81341)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)

Keywords

• Environmental coalition
• Community sustainability
• Volunteer programs
• Environmental education
• Nonprofit organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Ojai

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: OVGC operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization relying on tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations to fund environmental programs, community events, and the Ojai Ecology Center development project.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ojai Valley Green Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a community environmental hub in Ojai Valley, California. It offers free community programs including volunteer coordination (Green Hands), an aggregated events calendar (Green Calendar), partner organization directory (Green Hub), monthly networking gatherings (Green Drinks), a sustainability-focused book club (Green Reads), workshops at the Ojai Demonstration Garden, and development of the 8-acre Ojai Ecology Center at City Hall. Revenue is generated through tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations.

Product overview

Ojai Valley Green Coalition (OVGC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization founded in 2006 that serves as a community hub rather than a technology product company. OVGC does not offer commercial products or services. Its programs include the Ojai Ecology Center initiative (a nature education park project), the Green Hub (partner directory), Green Calendar (events), Green Drinks (monthly networking), and Green Books (book club). These are community programs, not commercial products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Green Hands (Volunteer Program) Volunteer engagement program that mobilizes community members for environmental service opportunities in Ojai Valley, including creek cleanups, seed swaps, Earth Day events, and demonstration garden workshops. Open to Ojai Valley residents of all ages and backgrounds.
• Green Calendar (Community Events Calendar) Aggregated online events calendar listing OVGC's own programs (OVGC Events) and events from more than 55 community partner organizations (Community Events) across Ojai Valley. Free public listing service for environmental events.
• Green Hub (Partner Directory) Online directory connecting community members with environmental nonprofits, community organizations, government resources, and local green businesses in Ojai Valley. Supports cross-promotion and discovery among partner organizations.
• Green Drinks (Monthly Community Gatherings) Free monthly networking gatherings for Ojai Valley residents and environmental advocates, hosted on the first Thursday of each month. Provides informal community-building and information-sharing among sustainability-focused residents.
• Green Reads (Book Club) Free community book club focused on environmental and sustainability-themed literature, hosting regular discussions at venues such as St. Andrew's Episcopal Church for Ojai Valley residents.
• Ojai Ecology Center Project Flagship infrastructure project developing an 8-acre nature education park and ecological demonstration site at the Ojai City Hall campus, including historic gardens and Middle Stewart Canyon Creek ecosystem. Community-led planning supported by a City of Ojai grant.

Quantifiable outcome

• Historic city-wide ban on plastic bags achieved through community organizing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LocablecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025OVGC partnered with Locable in Spring 2025 to launch a new website and implement overall marketing strategy. Locable provides the platform enabling directory listings, event calendar distribution, and cross-promotion across local organizations in Ojai Valley.
• City of OjaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOVGC received a grant from the City of Ojai starting in 2022 to lead community input sessions for the Ojai Ecology Center development at the 8-acre City Hall campus. Ongoing partnership includes city council presentations and planning commission reviews.
• Ojai Climate Action NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Green Drinks monthly gatherings alongside PAX Environmental, Inc. and OVGC.
• PAX Environmental, Inc.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor of Green Drinks monthly gatherings alongside Ojai Climate Action Network and OVGC.
• Farmer and the CookminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Green Drinks monthly gatherings (first Thursday 5:30-7pm). OVGC is grateful for their sponsorship in 2026.
• The Ojai Retreat & InnminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor and host venue for the Eco Center Celebration event on July 26, 2026. Provided sponsorship and support for the Eco Center project.
• Ojai Valley Land ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization with shared mission of ecological conservation. OVGC board member Sophie McLean serves as Native Plant Specialist and Nursery Manager at OVLC.
• St. Andrew's Episcopal ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Green Reads book club meetings including the July 20, 2026 discussion of 'Entangled Life' by Merlin Sheldrake.
• CFROG (Channel Islands Climate Renewables Action Group)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner organization. CFROG events including Environmental Voices Academy and Environmental Voices Speaker Series are listed on OVGC community calendar.
• Food ForwardminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; volunteer opportunities including fruit harvesting and Farmers Market gleaning listed on OVGC volunteer page.
• Ojai Raptor CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; volunteer opportunities for animal care, transport, and environmental education listed on OVGC volunteer page.
• Ventura Land TrustminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; Ventura Wild internship opportunities listed on OVGC volunteer page.
• Poco FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; farm volunteer opportunities (Tuesday and Friday 3:30-5:30pm) listed on OVGC volunteer page.
• Mama Tree FarmminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; natural building workshops listed on OVGC calendar.
• Taft Gardens & Nature PreserveminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; stargazing and other events listed on OVGC calendar.
• Thimble and SeedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; plant walks and workshops listed on OVGC calendar.
• Sierra Club Ventura NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner environmental organization listed on partners page.
• Food for ThoughtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner nonprofit; OVGC Executive Director Lauren Nilsson serves as board member.
• California Native Plant Society, Channel Islands ChapterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner environmental organization listed on partners page.
• Los Padres ForestWatchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner environmental organization listed on partners page.
• Ojai TreesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner; OVGC Executive Director Lauren Nilsson serves as Executive Director of Ojai Trees.
• The C.R.E.W.minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner environmental organization listed on partners page.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ojai Climate Action Network: Co-sponsor of OVGC's Green Drinks gatherings and active partner. Most direct local peer focused specifically on climate advocacy in the same Ojai Valley geography.
• Ventura Land Trust: Regional land conservation nonprofit sharing the Ojai/Ventura geography with OVGC, with internship opportunities cross-listed on OVGC's volunteer page. Comparable nonprofit environmental stewardship focus and donor base.
• Food Forward: Active community partner; volunteer opportunities including fruit harvesting and farmers market gleaning are listed on OVGC's platform. Directly comparable volunteer-driven nonprofit serving the same Ventura/LA region.
• Ojai Valley Land Conservancy: Direct local peer and active community partner. OVGC board member Sophie McLean serves as Native Plant Specialist and Nursery Manager at OVLC, and both organizations share overlapping mission around ecological conservation in the Ojai Valley.
• Los Padres ForestWatch: Community partner listed on OVGC's partners page, focused on forest and wilderness advocacy in the Los Padres National Forest that frames the Ojai Valley. Directly comparable regional conservation nonprofit.
• CFROG (Channel Islands Climate Renewables Action Group): Community partner running the Environmental Voices Academy and Speaker Series in the same Ventura/Ojai region. Directly comparable grassroots advocacy model and cross-promotes events via OVGC's calendar.

Broad incumbents

• Kiss the Ground: California-focused regenerative agriculture and soil health nonprofit where OVGC Treasurer Richard Wegman previously served as COO. Comparable mission around regenerative land practices but at a statewide advocacy scale.
• TreePeople: Larger Los Angeles-based environmental nonprofit where OVGC Treasurer Richard Wegman previously served as COO. TreePeople is the closest "big sibling" analog to OVGC's urban forestry and community organizing model at significantly greater scale.
• Sierra Club Ventura Network: Listed community partner on OVGC's partners page. Represents the local chapter of a national environmental organization with overlapping volunteer base and conservation advocacy orientation.

Regional players

• Community Environmental Council: Santa Barbara-based regional environmental coalition that runs Climate Steward training, the same program OVGC leaders have completed. Operates the same hub-and-coalition model across the broader Central Coast and serves as a near-analog organization for benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ojai-valley-green-coalition

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Ojai Valley Green Coalition