Sustainable Jersey

What Sustainable Jersey does

Sustainable Jersey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2009 and administered by the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey. It operates New Jersey's primary sustainability certification program for municipalities and public schools, with 471 municipalities registered (83% of all NJ municipalities) and 180 currently certified, covering 91% of the state's population. The organization also runs Sustainable Jersey for Schools, launched in October 2014 in partnership with the New Jersey School Boards Association, which now reaches 67% of NJ public school districts.

The core product is a structured certification framework organized across 17+ action categories (energy, waste reduction, water conservation, transportation, green design, health, land use, etc.) that participants document and submit through a web-based certification application system. To date, 19,637+ sustainability actions have been approved across participants. Municipalities earn Bronze certification at 150+ points across 6+ categories (with 2 priority actions) and Silver at 350+ points across 8+ categories (with 3 priority actions); advanced Gold Star Standards exist for Climate Readiness, Energy, Health, and Water. Adjacent product lines include multiple grant mechanisms ($2,000–$20,000 per project), Complete Streets and energy technical assistance, a community solar project finder, and a purchasing resource center.

The business model is nonprofit and free-to-participant: municipalities and schools register at no cost, and Sustainable Jersey monetizes through corporate sponsorships (Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze tiers with PSEG, Atlantic Health, Verizon, Solar Landscape, South Jersey Gas, New Jersey Natural Gas, Atlantic City Electric), foundation grants (Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, PSEG Foundation, NJEA), and state/federal government grants (NJDEP, NJBPU). Cumulative grants awarded to participants exceed $8 million since inception. The go-to-market motion is community-led, leveraging regional sustainability hubs across NJ, green team formation requirements, peer learning networks, and an annual Sustainability Summit plus Annual Luncheon at the NJ League of Municipalities Conference.

Name

Sustainable Jersey

Legal name

Sustainable Jersey

Website

https://sustainablejersey.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sustainable Jersey is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit administering New Jersey's statewide sustainability certification program for municipalities (471 registered, 180 certified) and public schools (67% of districts), funded by corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and state agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lawrenceville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Sustainable Jersey generates revenue through annual corporate sponsorship programs at multiple tiers (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze). Sponsors include PSEG, Atlantic Health, New Jersey Natural Gas, Solar Landscape, South Jersey Gas, Verizon, and others. These sponsorships provide year-round networking opportunities, recognition, and exposure in exchange for financial support.
2. Foundation and Government Grants: The organization receives funding from foundations (PSEG Foundation, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation) and state/federal government agencies (NJDEP, NJBPU). These grants fund the certification programs, grants to municipalities/schools, and operational costs.
3. Program Participation (Free): Participation in Sustainable Jersey certification programs is FREE for municipalities and schools. The program itself is the product that attracts sponsors and justifies foundation/government support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sustainable Jersey provides free, voluntary sustainability certification programs for New Jersey municipalities and public schools. The core municipal program awards Bronze (150+ points) and Silver (350+ points) certification across 17+ action categories, while the schools program certifies districts and charter schools. The organization distributes over $8 million in grants across participants, delivers technical assistance on complete streets, energy efficiency, and community energy planning, and maintains a web-based certification and grant management platform.

Product overview

Sustainable Jersey is a nonprofit organization offering a suite of sustainability certification programs and support services for New Jersey municipalities and schools. The core offerings include the Municipal Certification Program (Bronze/Silver levels, with Gold Star Standards) and Sustainable Jersey for Schools, both providing frameworks for communities to pursue sustainability actions and earn certification. The organization administers multiple grant programs including the Sustainable Jersey Grants Program ($2,000-$20,000 range), SJ-PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership, Community Energy Planning Grants, and Complete Streets Technical Assistance. Additional offerings include the Purchasing Resource Center for sustainable procurement, the Community Solar Project Finder for residential solar access, and recognition programs such as the Annual Awards, Sustainability Heroes, and Success Stories Contest. Over $8 million in grants have been awarded since inception, with 471 municipalities registered and 180 certified.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sustainable Jersey for Schools: A sustainability certification program designed specifically for New Jersey's public-school districts and public charter schools, launched in partnership with the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Products and services

• Sustainable Jersey Municipal Certification Program
• Sustainable Jersey for Schools
• Sustainable Jersey Grants Program
• Complete Streets Technical Assistance
• Free Energy Technical Assistance
• SJ-PSE&G Energy Efficiency Partnership Program
• Community Energy Planning & Implementation Grants
• New Jersey Community Solar Project Finder
• Success Stories Contest
• Sustainable School Food Service & Cafeterias Initiative

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $8 million in grants awarded to municipalities, schools and school districts since 2009
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Sustainable Jersey CitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2025Jersey City-based program running Community Solar Green Business Ambassador Program in partnership with Solar Landscape, enabling residents to participate in community solar initiative.
• NJ Clean Cities CoalitionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2025Partnership for Eco Patrol: Electric Vehicle Ride & Drive events for law enforcement. Collaborates on transportation electrification and clean energy initiatives.
• New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2014Launched Sustainable Jersey for Schools program in October 2014. NJSBA provides strategic support and endorsement for the school certification program serving public schools and charter schools statewide.
• The College of New Jersey Sustainability InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainable Jersey is administered by the Sustainability Institute at The College of New Jersey under a long-term agreement. The TCNJ Sustainability Institute is a 'think and do' tank that advances sustainable development through research, outreach, training, and strategic partnerships.
• New Jersey League of MunicipalitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner since 2006. NJLM represents municipalities statewide and collaborates on the certification program, annual luncheon, and advocacy for sustainable municipal practices.
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner since 2006. Collaborates on sustainable community initiatives, provides funding through grants, and participates in program development and governance.
• New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner since 2006. Collaborates on energy-related initiatives, community solar programs, and provides funding support for sustainable energy projects.
• Solar LandscapemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Sponsor and partner in Sustainable Jersey City's Community Solar Ambassador Program. Provides community solar opportunities enabling NJ residents to subscribe to nearby solar projects and receive 31% discount on electricity bills.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ICLEI USA: Local Governments for Sustainability USA — a membership network of cities and counties pursuing sustainability goals, offering tools, training, and recognition programs. Directly comparable to Sustainable Jersey's municipal membership and certification model.
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): Operates LEED for Cities and Communities, the most prominent national-level sustainability certification for municipalities. Directly comparable as a voluntary municipal certification framework that monetizes through training, credentialing, and partnerships.
• STAR Communities: Provided a national sustainability rating system for cities, counties, and towns — directly analogous to Sustainable Jersey's Bronze/Silver/Gold certification tiers. Now part of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.
• CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project): Runs the CDP Cities program, enabling municipalities worldwide to disclose and benchmark climate/environmental data. Comparable as a third-party verified sustainability framework that engages cities on standardized metrics.

Others

• National League of Cities: Advocacy and membership association for US municipalities. Comparable ecosystem player that interfaces with the same municipal customer base Sustainable Jersey serves.
• Ceres: Sustainability nonprofit coalition working with investors, companies, and policymakers. Comparable as a sustainability advocacy organization that engages corporate sponsors and operates in the same funder ecosystem.

Emerging players

• EcoDistricts: Provides a neighborhood-level sustainability certification protocol. Comparable as a peer-reviewed certification framework targeting local jurisdictions, though focused on smaller-scale districts rather than entire municipalities.
• Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES): Independent climate and energy policy nonprofit that works with states, cities, and businesses. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit focused on advancing subnational climate and sustainability action.

Broad incumbents

• Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy: The largest global alliance of city-level climate leaders (formed by merger of Compact of Mayors and EU Covenant of Mayors). Comparable in mobilizing municipal commitments on sustainability, though at much larger global scale.
• Keep America Beautiful: National nonprofit driving community-based sustainability through litter prevention, recycling, and beautification programs. Comparable as a community-led, nonprofit sustainability organization with state affiliates and corporate sponsorship model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SustainableJersey
• Facebookfacebook.com/SustainableJersey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sustainable-jersey
• Instagraminstagram.com/sustainable_jersey
• Xx.com/sj_program

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Sustainable Jersey