ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

What ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION does

Environmental Management Association (EMA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization headquartered in Harrison Township, Michigan, serving environmental management practitioners in the Metro Detroit region. Its core activities center on professional education, networking, and youth scholarship programs delivered through recurring annual and periodic events, including the 29th Annual Golf Outing (running since 1997), the Environmental Achievement Awards, enviroCHAT networking sessions, and the Science Fair Success program. Through 28 years of golf outings, the organization has distributed over $60,000 in scholarships, signaling a sustained community fundraising and grantmaking function alongside its membership services.

The business model is dues- and event-driven. EMA operates a two-tier membership structure: Company memberships at $350 per year and Individual memberships at $40 per year, targeting both organizational environmental staff and individual practitioners. Revenue is supplemented by event sponsorships and participation fees tied to the Golf Outing and other programs. The organization employs approximately 12 people and is governed by a board of directors; it has no parent company and operates independently within the regional nonprofit ecosystem.

EMA's value proposition is community- and reputation-based rather than technology-based. There is no disclosed proprietary software platform, AI/ML infrastructure, or technology product. The competitive position rests on decades of institutional history in the Metro Detroit environmental management community, recurring flagship events that build institutional memory, and the cross-segment visibility afforded by its awards and scholarship programs. The organization's strategic posture is maintenance-oriented: preserving existing programs and member relationships rather than pursuing geographic, vertical, or technological expansion.

Name

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Legal name

Environmental Management Association

Website

https://emaweb.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Environmental Management Association (EMA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization serving environmental management professionals in Metro Detroit through annual events, networking programs, and scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Environmental Association Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAGAH

Environmental Education & Outreach

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Environmental & Conservation Organizations

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Environmental industry networking
• Membership organization
• Environmental scholarship programs
• Regulatory information exchange

Headquarters

HQ city

Harrison Township

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The EMA generates primary revenue through membership fees. Company memberships are priced at $350 annually and individual memberships at $40 annually. Back dues are charged at $350 per year owed, plus a 4% service charge.
2. Event Sponsorships and Participation: Revenue is generated through sponsorships of annual events including the Golf Outing, Environmental Achievement Awards, and enviroCHAT sessions. Sponsors receive visibility and recognition at events reaching 130+ industry professionals.
3. Science Fair Benefactor Fund: The EMA accepts five-year commitments from benefactors who sponsor scholarships directly. This provides dedicated funding for the Environmental Excellence Scholarship Program supporting students in environmental science.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Environmental Management Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 1978 that facilitates information exchange between regulatory agencies and environmental industry professionals. Based in Farmington Hills, Michigan, EMA offers company and individual memberships, hosts networking events including an annual Scholarship Golf Outing, publishes the enviroCHAT newsletter, and runs the Science Fair Success Mentorship Program supporting K-12 STEM education.

Product overview

The Environmental Management Association is a 501(c)(6) professional membership organization, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of membership programs (Company Membership at $350/year and Individual Membership at $40/year), annual signature events (the Scholarship Program Golf Outing, Environmental Achievement Awards, and enviroCHAT discussion series), STEM education programs (the Science Fair Success Mentorship Program and professional awards judging at the Science & Engineering Fair of Metro-Detroit), and quarterly newsletters. These programs collectively serve to establish information exchange between regulatory agencies and environmental industry professionals, promote responsible environmental stewardship, and support students pursuing environmental science and engineering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Company Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $60,000 in student scholarships awarded since 1997 through 28 golf outings
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, minor and major.

• Doetsch FamilyflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Inaugural benefactor of the Science Fair Benefactor Fund with a five-year commitment (2021-2025) establishing the James Doetsch Memorial Science Fair Scholarship in honor of the late James Doetsch, a legend in the environmental industry.
• Konrad TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Industry professional volunteer organization participating in the annual Science Fair Success mentorship program. Representatives engage with students to discuss project ideas and methods for creating science fair projects focused on environmental science.
• VMX InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Environmental industry representative contributing mentor volunteers to the Science Fair Success program. Provides industry perspective to students on environmental science projects.
• US EcologycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Environmental services company providing industry professional volunteers for the Science Fair Success mentorship program at the Detroit Public Library.
• Marine Pollution ControlcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019Environmental industry company whose representatives volunteer as mentors in the Science Fair Success program, engaging with students on environmental science topics.
• Wayne State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2019University students and faculty participate as scientific community mentors in the Science Fair Success program, bringing academic perspective to student science fair projects.
• Science & Engineering Fair of Metro-Detroit (SEFMD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership where EMA serves as professional awards judges for the environmental science category. EMA volunteers evaluate student projects and award scholarships to students with outstanding environmental science research.
• E-TankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage cart sponsor of the 29th Annual Scholarship Program Golf Outing. E-Tank provides rental equipment including tanks, boxes, pumps, and filters with branches in seven Midwest states.
• National Industrial Maintenance - Michigan (NIMMI)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage cart sponsor of the 2026 Golf Outing. Part of Carylon Corporation, providing sewer infrastructure inspection, maintenance, and cleaning services.
• Vacuum Truck RentalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage cart sponsor providing vacuum truck and equipment rentals with 24/7 service guarantee.
• United Rentals - Fluid SolutionsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolfer bag sponsor of the 2026 Golf Outing and Silver sponsor of EAA events. North America's largest pump, tank, and filtration equipment rental supplier. Board member organization (Jesse Oliver).
• PROS ServicesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of the 2026 Environmental Achievement Awards. Provides environmental, transportation, industrial maintenance, hydro excavation, and confined space rescue services. Board member organization (Treasurer John Detweiler).
• Vesco Clean Energy LLCmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the 2026 Environmental Achievement Awards. Sister company of Vesco Oil Corporation, providing battery management and EV charging solutions with facilities in Saginaw and Grand Rapids, MI.
• M.L. ChartiermajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the 2026 EAA. Full-service excavation and environmental services company with roots in roadway and utility construction dating to the 1950s. Board member organization (Matt Lawrence).
• JABIS LLCmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold sponsor of the 2026 EAA. Founded 2005 by John Bowden, providing sustainable environmental and industrial services. Board member organization.
• Cavalier ExcavatingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the 2026 EAA. Family-owned contractor specializing in hydro excavation, daylighting, trenching, and utility support services. Member of IBEW Local 17.
• Green Living SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 Environmental Achievement Award recipient. Detroit nonprofit dedicated to waste and recycling education for over 14 years. Works with EMA to engage thousands of students, families, and community members through curriculum-aligned lessons and outreach events.
• Canton TownshipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2025 EAA Finalist for their Food Compost Pilot Program. Has achieved Michigan Green Communities Gold status for three consecutive years. Program has over 1,200 participating residents.
• Make Food Not WastecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization led by Danielle Todd, Executive Director, who serves as speaker for enviroCHAT on food waste reduction. Helped EGLE create Michigan Food Waste Roadmap for 50% waste reduction goal by 2030.
• ForthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOregon-based nonprofit (2026 EAA Finalist) focused on electric mobility and transportation electrification. Hosted Forth Roadmap Conference in Detroit in 2025. Operates Affordable Mobility Platform (AMP) and Towards Equitable Electric Mobility (TEEM) programs.
• Detroit Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain branch location hosts the annual Science Fair Success mentorship program each November in conjunction with the Science & Engineering Fair of Metro-Detroit.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Regional players

• Michigan Environmental Council: Statewide nonprofit policy and advocacy coalition for Michigan environmental protection. Comparable in mission and Michigan-only operating scope, though more advocacy-led than EMA's industry-convening role.
• Keep Michigan Beautiful: Michigan affiliate focused on litter prevention, recycling, and beautification through education and community programs. Comparable in education-driven, Michigan-scoped nonprofit model with event programming.
• Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice: Detroit-based nonprofit focused on environmental justice, education, and community engagement. Comparable in Metro Detroit geographic focus and educational outreach mission.
• Michigan Recycling Coalition: Michigan-focused nonprofit coalition promoting recycling and waste reduction through education, advocacy, and events. Highly comparable in regional scope, mission, and member-driven model.

Others

• Forth: Oregon-based nonprofit advancing electric mobility, recently active in Detroit through its Roadmap Conference and named a 2026 EMA EAA finalist. Comparable in that it is a partner/ecosystem organization in EMA's award and convening programming.
• Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program: State-led stewardship initiative under EGLE that, like EMA, brings together regulators and environmental professionals on water/land issues in Michigan. Comparable in regulator-industry bridge role, though publicly administered.

Broad incumbents

• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA): Larger professional association serving the solid waste and resource management industry with chapters, technical committees, certifications, and events. Comparable in member-services model but operates nationally and with broader scope.
• Great Lakes Commission: Binational agency supporting Great Lakes environmental policy, research, and convening. Comparable in convener role across environmental professionals and regulators in the Great Lakes/Michigan region.
• National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA): National trade association for the waste and recycling industry, providing advocacy, networking, and events. Comparable in that it serves overlapping environmental services members in the same SE Michigan footprint.

Direct peers

• Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA): National professional membership association for environmental management and air quality professionals, operating on the same dues/event/scholarship model as EMA but at national scale. Directly comparable in mission and structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/environmental-management-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION