Groundwork Jacksonville
Groundwork Jacksonville is a Florida nonprofit that builds the 30-mile Emerald Trail and restores urban creeks to connect 14 Jacksonville neighborhoods to downtown, funded through grants, donations, sponsorships, and events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersJacksonville, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Groundwork Jacksonville does
Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc. (GWJax) is a 501(c)-eligible nonprofit organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, operating as the city's exclusive nonprofit partner for the development of the Emerald Trail and the restoration of McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. Founded in 2013-2014, the organization is the only Groundwork USA trust in Florida and one of 21 nationwide, giving it access to a national network of environmental-community revitalization expertise and federal climate funding channels.
GWJax's core program is the Emerald Trail, a planned 30-mile bicycle and pedestrian trail and linear-park system that will encircle Jacksonville's urban core and connect 14 historic neighborhoods, 16 schools, three colleges, three hospitals, 21 parks, and the Regional Transportation Center to downtown, the St. Johns River, Hogans Creek, and McCoys Creek. The first 1.3-mile segment (LaVilla Link) opened in May 2024 and the second segment (Hogan Street Link) broke ground in September 2025. Supporting programs include McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek restoration (with the $12.65M McCoys Creek Branches project underway as of February 2026), the Trail Keepers volunteer maintenance program, the CREST workforce training program, the home repair and anti-displacement program covering 37 low-income homes, and Project One Health for youth wellness.
Operating with a small core staff (1-10 employees) under CEO Kay Ehas and a board chaired by Chris Burns (Partner, Terrell-Hogan), GWJax funds its activities through major federal, state, and foundation grants (NOAA, Resilient Florida, Cox Foundation, Winston Family Foundation, etc.), individual and corporate memberships, Trailblazer leadership giving (from $1,500/year, including a $500,000 lead donation from Kim and Bryan Clontz), major corporate sponsorships (VyStar Credit Union, Baptist Health, Swisher, Community First Credit Union), and annual fundraising events. Its capital outlook was materially set back by the 2025 rescission of a $147 million Federal Highway Administration Neighborhood Access and Equity grant, though the organization and its City of Jacksonville and JTA partners remain committed to completing the trail over a roughly nine-year horizon.
Groundwork Jacksonville firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Groundwork Jacksonville
- Legal name
- Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc.
- Website
- https://groundworkjacksonville.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Groundwork Jacksonville is a Florida nonprofit that builds the 30-mile Emerald Trail and restores urban creeks to connect 14 Jacksonville neighborhoods to downtown, funded through grants, donations, sponsorships, and events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Groundwork Jacksonville industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community and Environmental Restoration Services
- NAICS
- Landscape Architectural Services (541320), Landscaping Services (561730), Support Activities for Forestry (115310), Land Subdivision (2372)
- SIC
- Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), Forestry (800), Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs (BPADALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Walkway & Pathway Hardscaping (HSAIACAB), Groundskeeping, Landscaping & Athletic Field Maintenance (EDAEAAAC)
Keywords
Where Groundwork Jacksonville is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jacksonville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Groundwork Jacksonville business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Memberships: Annual membership program starting at $10/month for individuals, offering event invitations, insider news, decals, and partner discounts
- Corporate Memberships: Annual corporate membership at $500/year for small businesses, including window decals, newsletter mentions, and annual report recognition
- Trailblazer Leadership Giving: Annual donor program starting at $1,500 (Contributor Level) for visionaries supporting the trail system; includes lead donations like the $500,000 Goodwin Trailhead gift
- Major Grants: Federal, state, and foundation grants for trail construction and creek restoration; includes Resilient Florida ($5.18M), NOAA ($2.6M, $5.7M), Winston Family Foundation ($2.75M portion), Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund ($1M), Cox Foundation ($500K)
- Event Fundraising: Annual VyStar Emerald Trail 5K/10K and 1-Mile Fun Run generates donations and sponsorships; 7th annual event scheduled for September 2026
- Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors for events and programs including VyStar Credit Union, Baptist Health, JTC Running, and Community First Credit Union
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Individual Memberships from $10/month |
| Subscription | Annual | Corporate Memberships at $500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Trailblazer Leadership Giving from $1,500/year |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Groundwork Jacksonville product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Groundwork Jacksonville is a nonprofit that plans, designs, and implements urban green infrastructure in Jacksonville, Florida. Its primary deliverable is the 30-mile Emerald Trail linear park system, supported by McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek restoration, public art, workforce training (CREST), home repair services, and youth wellness programming (Project One Health). The organization operates as the city's designated nonprofit partner, raising grants and donations to fund construction and community engagement.
Product overview
Groundwork Jacksonville is a nonprofit organization (not a technology company) that operates environmental restoration and community development programs. Its primary programs include the Emerald Trail (a 30-mile planned trail and linear park system), creek restoration projects for McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek, and various community engagement programs including workforce development, home repair, youth wellness, and volunteer programs. The organization does not offer commercial software products or technology services. Revenue is generated through donations, grants, membership fees, and event fundraising rather than product sales.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Emerald Trail
- LaVilla Link
- McCoys Creek Restoration
- Hogans Creek Restoration
- CREST (Community Restoration Environmental Stewardship Training)
- Home Repair Program
- Trail Keepers Program
- Public Art Program
- Project One Health
- Membership Program
- Trailblazer Program
- VyStar Emerald Trail 5K/10K
Quantifiable outcome
- 18 of 20 flood-prone structures removed from 100-year flood risk through McCoys Creek restoration
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Groundwork Jacksonville
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Groundwork Jacksonville technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Groundwork Jacksonville partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- Rails to Trails ConservancyflagshipNational trails organization whose President (Ryan Chao) presented the 2025 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion Award. Trail is part of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway and connected to Core-2-Coast trail through regional planning.
- City of JacksonvilleflagshipPrimary public partner in Emerald Trail development and creek restoration. Mayor Deegan participated in McCoys Creek Branches groundbreaking. City funding remaining project costs plus contamination remediation.
- JTC RunningcorePresentation partner for annual Emerald Trail 5K/10K race event. Made $50,000 donation toward Trail Master Plan. Key event production partner.
- Jacksonville Transportation AuthoritycorePartner in Emerald Trail development and secured federal funding applications. Collaborated on the $147M federal grant application.
- Groundwork USAflagshipParent organization of 21 Groundwork trusts nationwide. Provided feasibility study guidance and Climate Preparedness and Land Restoration Initiative funding through Bezos Earth Fund.
- PATH FoundationcoreDeveloped Emerald Trail Master Plan. Organization responsible for building more than 260 miles of trails throughout Georgia.
- SCAPE Landscape ArchitecturecoreDeveloped comprehensive Emerald Trail design standards to guide implementation. Also providing design engineering for McCoys Creek restoration.
- WSPcoreDesign engineering firm for McCoys Creek project. Vice President Rebecca Vanderbeck serves as North Florida Local Business Lead.
- North Riverside CDCcoreLead partner in home repair program for North Riverside, Mixon Town, and Lackawanna neighborhoods. Resident-led construction committee with GWJax as fiscal sponsor.
- KiewitcoreConstruction contractor for McCoys Creek Branches restoration project with $12.65M projected cost.
- LIFT JAXcoreImplementation partner in Project One Health, receiving $2.75M of the $6M initiative grants for youth wellness programming.
- Partnership for Child HealthcoreImplementation partner in Project One Health, receiving portion of $2.75M in grants for youth health programming.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Groundwork Jacksonville competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- The Nature Conservancy – Florida: National conservation nonprofit with major Florida operations in watershed restoration; competes for similar federal (NOAA, USFWS) and foundation resilience funding and operates comparable land-and-water restoration programs.
- Rails to Trails Conservancy: National trails advocacy and funding organization that awarded GWJax's CEO the 2025 Champion award; it operates across the trail-building value chain and competes for the same federal infrastructure and foundation capital.
- The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that builds urban parks, trails, and conservancies — competing for the same federal, state, and foundation pots and often partnering on or substituting for local organizations on urban greenway deals.
- East Coast Greenway Alliance: Coalition-led nonprofit building the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway of which the Emerald Trail is a node; comparable in mission, federal-grant pursuit, and trail-network stewardship.
Direct peers
- Groundwork Hudson Valley: Another Groundwork USA trust with the same parent network affiliation, community-engagement-led trail/green-space redevelopment, and reliance on a mix of municipal, foundation, and corporate funding.
- PATH Foundation: Trail-building nonprofit that co-developed the Emerald Trail Master Plan with GWJax; comparable as a regional trail planner/fundraiser/builder with a similar municipal-partnership model in Georgia.
- Groundwork Cincinnati – Mill Creek: Sister Groundwork USA trust executing the same integrated urban creek restoration + trail + community development model in another U.S. city, making it the most structurally comparable peer to Groundwork Jacksonville.
- Groundwork Richmond: Another Groundwork USA trust with an analogous urban environmental-restoration, trail-building, and youth workforce-development portfolio — directly comparable operating model and scale.
Emerging players
- LISC Jacksonville: Existing GWJax partner that also chairs the North Riverside Home Repair Committee; comparable as a community-development funder/operator focused on Jacksonville's urban core neighborhoods.
Others
- Groundwork USA: National parent network of the 21 Groundwork trusts and a direct funder of GWJax (Bezos Earth Fund Climate Preparedness and Land Restoration Initiative); comparable as a peer within the same network rather than a competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Groundwork Jacksonville social profiles
Digital presenceGroundwork Jacksonville financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Groundwork Jacksonville leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Groundwork Jacksonville funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Groundwork Jacksonville 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 Groundwork Jacksonville
What does Groundwork Jacksonville do?
Groundwork Jacksonville is a nonprofit that plans, designs, and implements urban green infrastructure in Jacksonville, Florida. Its primary deliverable is the 30-mile Emerald Trail linear park system, supported by McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek restoration, public art, workforce training (CREST), home repair services, and youth wellness programming (Project One Health). The organization operates as the city's designated nonprofit partner, raising grants and donations to fund construction and community engagement.
Is Groundwork Jacksonville a public or private company?
Groundwork Jacksonville is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Groundwork Jacksonville founded?
Groundwork Jacksonville was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Groundwork Jacksonville based?
Groundwork Jacksonville is headquartered in Jacksonville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Groundwork Jacksonville make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Individual Memberships are the primary driver. The others are corporate Memberships, trailblazer Leadership Giving, major Grants, event Fundraising and corporate Sponsorships.
Who are Groundwork Jacksonville's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are The Nature Conservancy – Florida, Rails to Trails Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land and East Coast Greenway Alliance. Direct peers are Groundwork Hudson Valley, PATH Foundation, Groundwork Cincinnati – Mill Creek and Groundwork Richmond. LISC Jacksonville is listed as an emerging player. Groundwork USA is listed as an others.
Does Groundwork Jacksonville have an API?
No public API is recorded for Groundwork Jacksonville.
What industry is Groundwork Jacksonville in?
Groundwork Jacksonville's product category is Community and Environmental Restoration Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADALAF, Forestry, Land Use & REDD+ Programs, with a secondary code of HSAIACAB, Walkway & Pathway Hardscaping. Its NAICS code is 541320 and its SIC code is 6552.