What Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision does

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 in Southwest Detroit, where approximately 88,000 residents live adjacent to Michigan's only oil refinery, three steel mills, a 300-acre intermodal freight yard, the busiest US-Canada border crossing, three major freeways, a sewage treatment plant serving 128 communities, and 150+ industrial sites releasing pollutants. SDEV addresses environmental justice issues including air quality degradation, truck traffic, blight, illegal dumping, incompatible land use, and pollution-related health impacts. The organization operates a portfolio of interconnected programs rather than a unified software product: the Clean Diesel Program (reducing more than 5,500 tons of diesel emissions annually through EPA DERA and Michigan EGLE grants), the Southwest Detroit Chargeway (a resident-led scattered network of micro-parks and community gardens), the Trucks Off Our Streets (TOOS) Coalition (citywide truck route advocacy reaching 35,000+ residents across Detroit's seven districts), the Port of Detroit Decarbonization initiative (zero-emission transition planning by 2040), Water Work (PFAS testing, flood documentation, and the MI Water Table coalition), Idle Reduction in Schools (Salinas Elementary, Salinas Intermediate, Holy Redeemer), and the City of Detroit Truck Route Ordinance outreach.

SDEV has no proprietary technology platform. It integrates third-party tools including Freshwater Future's GIS-based Flood Focus App for flood documentation and analysis, Google Forms for surveys and mobilization lists, Qgiv for donations and volunteer registration, Double the Donation for matching-gift processing, and Candid/GuideStar for transparency reporting. The organization leverages over 12,000 volunteer hours, has hosted 75+ neighborhood cleanup events, planted 147 trees in 2023 and 89 more in Spring 2024, and supports 15+ green infrastructure projects. Technology integration is best characterized as interoperability with established civic-tech and fundraising platforms rather than as a differentiation lever.

SDEV's revenue model is grant-dominated with supplementary individual and corporate donations and memberships priced at $10/year. Key funding sources include EPA DERA grants, Michigan EGLE Clean Fuels Equipment Replacement Grants, the Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation (which funded the 2024 TOOS Coalition launch), the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (dollar-for-dollar match up to $50,000 between May 1 and June 29, 2026), and the EPA's October 2024 $3.2 million regional air quality award. Customer segments are geographic (Southwest Detroit residents as primary; citywide Detroit residents via TOOS as secondary) and use-case based (schools, fleet operators, Port of Detroit, City of Detroit government). The go-to-market motion is community-led organizing, volunteer mobilization, and coalition building rather than traditional sales.

Name

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision

Legal name

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision

Website

https://sdevweb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 that operates community-led environmental justice programs—Clean Diesel, Southwest Detroit Chargeway, TOOS Coalition, and Port of Detroit Decarbonization—serving 88,000 Southwest Detroit residents and reaching 35,000+ across all Detroit districts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF), Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Environmental Data, Monitoring, Remote Sensing & Early Warning (BPADALAN), Urban Renewal, Brownfield Redevelopment & Land Reuse (BPAIANAI)

Keywords

• Environmental justice advocacy
• Community-based environmental programs
• Clean diesel emission reduction
• Urban sustainability projects
• Air quality improvement initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual memberships starting at $10, providing donors with invitations and information to stay connected to SDEV's environmental initiatives.
2. Individual and Corporate Donations: SDEV receives donations from individuals and corporations supporting environmental justice work in Southwest Detroit.
3. Grant Funding: SDEV is funded through grants including EPA DERA grants, State of Michigan EGLE grants, Fred and Barbara Erb Family Foundation support, and Michigan Economic Development Corporation matching funds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that delivers community-led environmental programs in Southwest Detroit, including the Clean Diesel Program (fleet emission reductions), Southwest Detroit Chargeway (micro parks and community gardens), Trucks Off Our Streets (TOOS) Coalition (truck route advocacy), Port of Detroit Decarbonization planning, Water Work (water quality and flood documentation), Idle Reduction in Schools, and Sustainability Placemaking initiatives. The organization mobilizes residents, partners with government and industry, and administers grant-funded projects to address air quality, blight, and incompatible land use for approximately 88,000 residents.

Product overview

Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization that operates multiple interconnected programs rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the Clean Diesel Program (reducing diesel emissions via EPA DERA and Michigan EGLE grants), the Southwest Detroit Chargeway (a resident-led network of micro parks and community gardens), the Trucks Off Our Streets (TOOS) Coalition (advocating for citywide truck route policies), the Port of Detroit Decarbonization initiative (planning for zero-emission port operations by 2040), Water Work (water quality protection including the Flood Focus App, CLEAR Water PFAS testing, and MI Water Table coalition), and Sustainability Placemaking (community gardens, tree plantings, neighborhood education, and environmental justice through the arts). SDEV also runs the Idle Reduction in Schools program and facilitates the City of Detroit Truck Route Ordinance implementation. These programs work together toward SDEV's mission of improving the environment and strengthening the economy of Southwest Detroit through community engagement, policy advocacy, and direct environmental interventions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Southwest Detroit Chargeway: Resident-led scattered site network of parks for mobility, beautification, and neighborhood connectivity
• Trucks Off Our Streets (TOOS)
• Clean Diesel Program
• Water Work

Products and services

• Clean Diesel Program Helps residents push for cleaner air rules and assists businesses and institutions in directly cutting pollution from their operations. Works with fleet partners to replace trucks and equipment using EPA DERA reimbursement grants and Michigan EGLE grants.
• Southwest Detroit Chargeway A resident-led scattered site network of parks that beautifies the neighborhood, increases connectivity and walkability, and addresses resident needs around mobility, parking, and traffic violence. Includes Chargeway Micro Parks Project and Community Garden sites.
• Trucks Off Our Streets (TOOS) A citywide coalition working to reduce residential truck traffic and improve air quality across Detroit. Connects residents, community organizations, and city leaders to push for citywide truck route policies and conducts community-led truck counts and industrial monitoring.
• City of Detroit Truck Route Ordinance Community outreach initiative to develop and implement the City of Detroit's Truck Routes Ordinance, facilitating resident participation in public comment sessions and trucking policy mobilization.
• Idle Reduction in Schools Bus Idling in School project partnering with schools (Salinas Elementary, Salinas Intermediate, Holy Redeemer Grade School) to bring awareness about air quality, pollution effects, and reduce idling during drop-off and pick-up times.
• Sustainability Placemaking Program encompassing environmental beautification projects including the Southwest Detroit Chargeway, North Toledo Block Club, Environmental Justice Through the Arts, Community Gardens, Tree Plantings, and Neighborhood Education initiatives.
• Port of Detroit Decarbonization Planning initiative to transform the Port of Detroit's environmental and community impact, supporting transition to zero emissions by 2040. Phase II (2025) focuses on zero-emission future planning, community benefits, and local workforce development for clean energy jobs.
• Water Work Water quality awareness and protection program raising awareness about water issues, supporting community education, flood documentation via Freshwater Future app, and water testing initiatives including PFAS testing kits.
• Community Gardens Urban garden initiatives including Cadillac Urban Gardens (one-acre garden in Mexicantown using repurposed shipping containers) and Scarcyny Park & Garden Partnership, providing fresh produce to the community at no cost.
• Tree Plantings Tree planting initiative; planted 147 trees in 2023 with residents; awarded DTE Foundation Tree Planting award for Spring 2024 project to plant additional 89 trees, reducing dust and absorbing water.
• CLEAR Water Initiative raising awareness about water quality, providing accessible water testing kits, and advocating for safe, clean water in communities. Currently offering PFAS Water Testing Kits for Wyandotte residents.
• MI Water Table Coalition initiative envisioning a Michigan where all people have access to affordable, clean water through convening organizations, strategizing together, and mutual support.
• Flood Focus App Flood mitigation effort in partnership with Freshwater Future that captures and uploads images of flooding to a GIS-based system for documentation, analysis, and data-driven flood control and infrastructure planning.
• Neighborhood Education Educational events and workshops for neighbors including DIY Air Filter Workshops, Rain Garden Installations, Energy Equity and Air Quality Workshops, Storm Water Management, and Grant Writing Workshops.
• Healthy Business & Institutions Initiative (HBII) Engages businesses and institutions whose operations impact Southwest Detroit to address emissions, contribute to pollution mitigation efforts, and participate in meaningful dialogue on environmental justice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced diesel emissions by more than 5,500 tons annually through Clean Diesel Program
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Freshwater FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDEV partnered with Freshwater Future to support flood mitigation efforts in Southwest Detroit. The partnership uses Freshwater Future's GIS-based Flood Focus App to document flooding and support data-driven solutions for flood control and infrastructure planning.
• Michigan Environmental CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDEV partners with the Michigan Environmental Council on the Bus Idling in School project, a pilot initiative to raise awareness about air quality and reduce idling during school drop-off and pick-up times.
• Community Action Plan for Healthy Environments (University of Michigan)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOOS Coalition works in partnership with Community Action Plan for Healthy Environments through the University of Michigan to connect residents, community organizations, and city leaders from all seven Detroit districts.
• Ideal GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ideal Group collaborated with SDEV on Cadillac Urban Gardens (2012) and Scarcyny Park & Garden development, repurposing industrial land into community green spaces.
• General Motors (GM)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGM partnered with SDEV on Cadillac Urban Gardens, providing 331 shipping containers repurposed as raised beds for growing fresh produce in the community.
• Detroit/Wayne County Port AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDEV supported the Port of Detroit's decarbonization planning with community engagement and outreach, working toward zero emissions transition by 2040.
• Free Bikes 4 Kidz DetroitminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSDEV is a Community Partner of Free Bikes 4 Kidz Detroit, a nonprofit helping kids ride into a happier, healthier childhood by providing bikes to those most in need.
• Detroit Hispanic Development CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDenysse Camarena co-led the 'Promotoras de Agua' project at DHDC, distributing water testing kits to preselected households to identify lead presence in potable water.
• Garage CulturalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDEV worked with Garage Cultural to host the Beehive Collective for a hands-on intergenerational storytelling event with over 100 attendees.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation: Detroit-based community-services nonprofit and explicit SDEV partner on the 'Promotoras de Agua' water-testing project. Comparable local EJ, community-organizing, and water-quality work.
• WE ACT for Environmental Justice: National EJ organization combining community organizing, technical advocacy, and policy work in a low-income industrial-adjacent community — analogous operating model to SDEV at city scale.
• Michigan Environmental Council: Michigan-based statewide environmental policy and EJ advocacy nonprofit; an explicit SDEV strategic partner on Bus Idling in School initiatives. Directly comparable mission, geography, and advocacy model.
• Freshwater Future: Great Lakes water-quality and EJ nonprofit that provides the Flood Focus App used by SDEV. Comparable mission, regional scope, and grant-funded EJ operating model.
• Ecology Center (Ann Arbor): Michigan-based environmental nonprofit running community programs on pollution prevention, sustainable food, and environmental health; comparable community-education and policy-advocacy model to SDEV.

Broad incumbents

• Groundwork USA: National network supporting local Groundwork "trust" affiliates that run community-based environmental improvement projects on brownfields and urban green infrastructure — closely analogous to SDEV's placemaking and remediation work.
• Sierra Club (Michigan Chapter): Large environmental advocacy organization with Michigan chapter active on air quality, climate, and EJ issues; broader geographic scope but overlapping policy and grant-funded advocacy model.
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): National environmental advocacy organization active on industrial air pollution, diesel emissions, and EJ — addressing the same industrial-corridor problems SDEV confronts at community scale.

Emerging players

• Great Lakes Environmental Law Center: Detroit-based environmental law and EJ organization providing legal advocacy on industrial pollution and community environmental health — adjacent but complementary capability to SDEV's organizing work.

Regional players

• Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities: Northern Michigan environmental nonprofit running community-based clean-energy, water, and food programs; operates with a comparable small-team, grant-funded, place-based model though outside the Detroit metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SDEV_313

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision