What Groundwork New Orleans does

Groundwork New Orleans (GWNO) is a Louisiana-based nonprofit founded in 2006 and a member of the Groundwork USA national network, operating from 2372 Saint Claude Avenue in New Orleans with an additional demonstration and program site (Earth Lab) at 1027 Spain Street in Marigny. The organization designs and constructs nature-based green infrastructure — bioswales, permeable pavers, rainwater harvesting systems, stormwater parks, rain gardens, composting systems, and reforestation projects — and runs a portfolio of named projects including Legacy Park (a $300K multi-component GI park with 38,000-gallon bioswale capacity per rain event), the HCS Vision 2 Reality Stormwater Park (200-foot bioswale, 37,500-gallon per-event stormwater storage, 100% built by youth program participants), V2R Phase 2, Touro Street Initiative ($400K budget), OC Haley Rain Gardens, HCS Urban Agriculture & GI Oasis, and SWB Bayou St John Demonstration Project. It has expanded into solar resilience with the Solar Powered ECO Bench (a Tulane Small Center-designed, NFWF-funded unit combining solar charging, stormwater retention, and live weather sensing), Solar Generator Builds, a Solar Resilience Trailer, the Gentilly Solar Hub, and the Gentilly Microgrid Initiative, and operates professional certification pathways (NGCIP, Center for Watershed Protection Clean Water Certificate, Solar International).

Its core technology stack is environmental and geospatial rather than software-native: ArcGIS StoryMaps and Dashboards for the GWNO Project Map and GI Map, a Caspio-powered Tree Data Switchboard for permit, installation, and maintenance tracking, and Groundwork Weather Central integrating Ambient Weather Network stations across multiple community sites for live monitoring of heat, rain, humidity, and barometric pressure. No proprietary software product, mobile app, or AI/ML capability is evidenced.

Its business model is nonprofit grant-funded community delivery: revenue streams consist of foundation grants (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation), federal grants (EPA GULF Grant, EPA Trash Free Waters), public-private partnerships with municipal agencies (Department of Parks and Parkways, Sewerage & Water Board), neighborhood-association partnerships (Broadmoor Improvement Association, Old Algiers Main Street), donations via PayPal, and member dues via the Groundwork USA network. Pricing is not commercially disclosed; programs (Green Team for ages 14-18, Ground CREW for ages 19-25, Gulf Futures Challenge) are delivered free to participants. Customers are segmented into youth and young adults (workforce development), neighborhoods and geographies (stormwater and beautification), and local government and public agencies (infrastructure collaboration). Operations are led by Executive Director Todd Reynolds (former NET Charter High School principal), Youth & Environmental Programs Director Riley Essert, and Assistant Manager Kedrick Devazin, with a six-person board of directors anchoring environmental, engineering, legal, and construction expertise.

Name

Groundwork New Orleans

Legal name

Groundwork New Orleans

Website

https://groundwork-neworleans.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Groundwork New Orleans is a 2006-founded New Orleans nonprofit that builds nature-based green infrastructure — bioswales, rain gardens, solar resilience assets, and reforestation — while running paid youth workforce programs (Green Team ages 14-18, Ground CREW ages 19-25) and serving neighborhood associations, schools, and municipal agencies through grant-funded partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Services & Community Development

NAICS

Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction (237110), Landscaping Services (56173), Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Utility System Construction (2371)

SIC

Water, Sewer, Pipeline, Comm & Power Line Construction (1623), Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

Landscape Design, Build & Installation (Hardscapes/Softscapes) (BPABADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stormwater & Drainage Infrastructure Construction (Sewer, Detention, Outfalls) (IMAFAGAF), Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL), Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL)

Keywords

• Green infrastructure services
• Stormwater management
• Youth workforce development
• Urban reforestation programs
• Environmental community programs

Headquarters

HQ city

New Orleans

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization collects donations through PayPal to support victims and families affected by tragedies, as well as general organizational operations and programs.
2. Grants and Government Funding: Funding from organizations such as the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, EPA GULF Grant, and public-private partnerships for specific projects like the Touro Street Initiative ($400,000 budget) and Legacy Park ($300K budget).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Groundwork New Orleans implements neighborhood-based green infrastructure projects (bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavers, reforestation, solar installations) to mitigate urban flooding and stormwater threats while training and employing youth and young adults ages 14-25 through the Green Team and Ground CREW workforce development programs. The organization also delivers professional certifications, weather and tree data tools, and solar resilience programs serving underserved New Orleans neighborhoods.

Product overview

Groundwork New Orleans operates a portfolio of interconnected environmental programs focused on green infrastructure implementation, youth workforce development, and community resilience. The core offerings include the Green Team (ages 14-18) and Ground CREW (ages 19-25) workforce programs that provide job training while implementing GI projects. Supporting infrastructure includes Earth Lab headquarters for education, Solar Programs (Solar Certification, Solar Resilience Trailer, Solar Generator Builds, Solar Powered ECO Bench, Gentilly Solar Hub, Gentilly Microgrid Initiative), and constructed projects (Legacy Park, HCS Vision 2 Reality Stormwater Park, V2R Phase 2, Touro Street Initiative, OC Haley Rain Gardens, Broadmoor Reforestation, HCS Urban Agriculture Oasis). Data tools include GWNO Project Map, GI Map, Tree Data Switchboard, Groundwork Weather Central, and EPA Nutrient Removal Project database. Professional certifications include NGCIP, CWC, and Solar International. The organization serves as construction manager for GI projects while integrating ArcGIS, Ambient Weather Network, and Caspio platforms for data management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Green Team: Youth development program employing youth ages 14-18, focusing on environmental conservation and green infrastructure training.
• Ground CREW
• Earth Lab
• Solar Programs
• Certifications

Products and services

• Green Team Paid youth workforce development program employing youth ages 14-18, providing job and life-skills training through hands-on green infrastructure and environmental conservation projects in New Orleans neighborhoods.
• Ground CREW Paid young adult workforce development program for individuals ages 19-25, implementing green infrastructure projects including stormwater parks, rain gardens, solar installations, and urban reforestation across New Orleans neighborhoods.
• Earth Lab Outdoor learning laboratory and Green Team headquarters located at 1027 Spain Street in the Marigny neighborhood, featuring a bioswale, permeable pavers, rainwater harvesting structures, and compost systems as a live-action model for green infrastructure education.
• Solar Certification Program Certification program that trains participants in solar installation and renewable energy skills, preparing them for careers in the solar industry.
• Solar Resilience Trailer Program Mobile solar power unit providing emergency solar power to communities during outages or emergencies.
• Solar Generator Builds Program for building solar generators that provide clean energy solutions for communities and emergency situations.
• Gentilly Microgrid Initiative Initiative developing microgrid solar infrastructure in the Gentilly neighborhood for enhanced community energy resilience.
• Solar Powered ECO Bench Solar-powered charging bench providing clean energy for community members to charge devices, featuring stormwater collection through flow-through planter and integrated weather station for live data collection on heat, rain, humidity, and barometric pressure.
• Gentilly Solar Hub Solar resilience facility in the Gentilly neighborhood providing solar-powered infrastructure and emergency power capabilities for the community.
• GI Maintenance Services Professional green infrastructure maintenance services ensuring long-term functionality of installed GI systems across New Orleans neighborhoods.
• National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGCIP) National certification program for green infrastructure knowledge and skills, offered in partnership with Groundwork USA.
• Center for Watershed Protection Clean Water Certificate (CWC) Certification program focused on watershed protection and clean water management practices.
• Solar International Certification Program International certification for solar installation and renewable energy professionals.
• GWNO Project Map ArcGIS-based interactive map displaying the collaborative impact of resident-led community organizations implementing nature-based green infrastructure solutions to mitigate flooding and heat impacts citywide.
• GI Map New Orleans Green Infrastructure Map visualizing GI project locations and impacts across the city.
• Tree Data Switchboard Comprehensive tree database tracking permit applications, tree installations, maintenance logs, and city permit approvals across New Orleans.
• Groundwork Weather Central Live weather monitoring system with stations across New Orleans neighborhoods including Claiborne Corridor, Xavier University, 7th Ward Green Block, and NET Charter High School Gentilly, integrated with the Ambient Weather Network.
• Gulf Futures Challenge Regional workforce development initiative strengthening vulnerable Gulf Coast communities by exposing residents to environmental and energy jobs and preparing them for local employment.
• Aging In Place - Elderly Assistance Program Partnership with Urban Conservancy to assist elderly citizens in Hoffman Triangle with exterior home repairs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 38,000 gallon per rain event bioswale capacity at Legacy Park
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Groundwork USAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational parent organization supporting Groundwork New Orleans. GWNO operates as part of the Groundwork USA network sharing the mission of sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment through community-based partnerships.
• CompostNOWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity composting partnership where Green Team collects frozen food scraps from the community every Thursday (4:30-6:30pm) for on-site composting at Earth Lab location.
• Tulane's Albert and Tina Small Center for CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Tulane University for design and construction of Solar Powered ECO Bench project. The Small Center provided design expertise for the solar bench project combining clean energy, stormwater management, and weather data collection.
• Broadmoor Improvement AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit neighborhood organization founded in 1930 serving Broadmoor community. Partners on Broadmoor Reforestation Initiative and tree planting projects to preserve community identity and improve quality of life.
• Old Algiers Main Street CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working to improve Old Algiers community for over 25 years. Focuses on equity-based programs offering skills and career training for 16-40-year-olds in 70114 zip code. Partner on Broadmoor-Old Algiers Reforestation Initiative.
• Department of Parks and ParkwayscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal department managing over 2,000 acres of public parks, squares, recreation areas, neutral grounds, golf courses, and 450,000+ street trees across New Orleans. Partners on reforestation and green infrastructure projects.
• Gulf PEARLs ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-institutional consortium including Texas A&M AgriLife, Lee College, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fletcher Tech Community College, CHNEP, Goose Creek CISD, Texas A&M Galveston, ArtistBoat, University of Miami, Nicholls, CERF, FIU, LSU. Mission to strengthen Gulf Coast communities through environmental and energy workforce development.
• Urban ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Urban Conservancy for Aging In Place - Elderly Assistance Program providing exterior home repair for elderly citizens in Hoffman Triangle.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Groundwork Dallas: Sister Groundwork USA affiliate in Dallas, Texas. Directly comparable peer in a different but similarly flood-prone Gulf/Southern metro; implements green infrastructure, youth development, and community revitalization under the same parent network.
• Casey Trees: Washington DC-based nonprofit focused on urban tree planting, canopy goals, and green infrastructure — directly comparable mission to GWNO's reforestation and tree data switchboard programs. Strong peer on the urban forestry and community GI overlap.
• Groundwork Somerville: Sister Groundwork USA affiliate serving Somerville, MA. Comparable as a community-embedded GI implementer with youth workforce development programs and urban greening focus.
• Groundwork Cincinnati: Sister affiliate in the Groundwork USA network operating in Cincinnati. Most directly comparable peer — same organizational model, mission, youth workforce programs, and green infrastructure focus in an older industrial city with stormwater and urban heat challenges similar to New Orleans.
• Trees Atlanta: Atlanta-based urban forestry nonprofit that plants and maintains trees, builds green infrastructure, and runs workforce development programs. Closely comparable on both reforestation and youth training dimensions.
• Groundwork Louisville: Sister Groundwork USA affiliate serving Louisville, KY. Directly comparable as a community-based nonprofit implementing green infrastructure projects and youth environmental programs under the same national umbrella.

Regional players

• Urban Conservancy: New Orleans-based nonprofit partner of GWNO (Hoffman Triangle Aging in Place program). Operates in the same metro with overlapping mission around community resilience and aging-in-place home repair; comparable as a hyper-local nonprofit peer.

Broad incumbents

• The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on creating parks and protecting land for people. Operates at much larger scale and overlaps with GWNO on park creation (e.g., Legacy Park-type projects) and climate resilience green infrastructure, but is not community-embedded in a single metro.
• Center for Watershed Protection: National nonprofit that GWNO partners with to deliver the Clean Water Certificate (CWC). Comparable on the watershed protection and stormwater training/credentialing dimensions; operates as a broader technical authority rather than local implementer.

Others

• Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans: Municipal utility partner on the SWB Bayou St John Demonstration Project. Not a peer but an enabling counterpart — the public entity whose stormwater mandate GWNO's projects help execute. Useful as a stakeholder reference rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GroundworkNOLA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/groundworknola

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Groundwork New Orleans