Groundwork Ohio River Valley
Groundwork Ohio River Valley is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit that runs paid youth green-workforce programs (Green Team, Green Corps), community-driven climate resilience across 11 neighborhoods, brownfield education, and a public Air Quality Dashboard, serving Cincinnati residents with grant and philanthropic funding.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Groundwork Ohio River Valley does
Groundwork Ohio River Valley (GWORV) is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit environmental organization founded in 2019 and operating as a member of the national Groundwork USA network, which partners with the U.S. National Park Service and the EPA. It runs three primary programmatic lines: the Green Team (paid green-industry employment for high school youth ages 14-18, serving 98 students in Summer 2025), the Green Corps (a professionalized urban conservation corps for young adults), and the Climate Safe Neighborhoods initiative (community-driven climate resilience and equitable planning across 11 Cincinnati neighborhoods with 58 resident leaders). Supporting programs include the Youth Environmental Council and the Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit. GWORV also operates a network of seven continuous air quality monitoring stations across Greater Cincinnati feeding a publicly accessible Air Quality Dashboard, and employs a GIS Analyst for brownfield assessment and community mapping.
The organization delivers all programs free of charge to participants and funds operations through a mix of federal grants (EPA, NPS), state grants (Ohio EPA), corporate philanthropy (Duke Energy, P&G, REI, Superior Credit Union), foundation support, and individual donations via the Network for Good platform. Notable funding includes a share of the $430,000 Land Use Innovation Initiative awarded to five Groundwork Trusts (2024), a $10,000 Duke Energy pollinator-resiliency grant (May 2024), and selection for the Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Initiative. Its geographic reach is concentrated in Greater Cincinnati, with programs delivered directly at community partner sites including Cincinnati Zoo, Great Parks of Hamilton County, Cincinnati Public Schools (Oyler, Aiken), Mt. Echo, Madisonville, and Winton Hills. Technical differentiators are the GIS-backed brownfield assessment capability, the proprietary air quality monitoring network, and a youth workforce pipeline that has placed participants into roles with the National Park Service at Grand Teton.
GWORV is governed by a board drawing from P&G global sustainability, REDI Cincinnati, WWF, The Nature Conservancy, Transcend, DSD Advisors, and MadTree Brewing, and it is led (as of the most recent data) by Interim Executive Director Jaeydah Edwards, with Senior Program Director responsibilities retained alongside the interim role following Tanner Yess's appointment to the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council in 2024. The organization has approximately 25 employees and reports cumulative impact metrics of 6.4K trees planted, 337.3 acres of invasive species cleared, 48 green infrastructure amenities built, and 2.3 miles of trail constructed across its programs.
Groundwork Ohio River Valley firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Groundwork Ohio River Valley
- Legal name
- Groundwork Ohio River Valley
- Website
- https://groundworkorv.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Groundwork Ohio River Valley is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit that runs paid youth green-workforce programs (Green Team, Green Corps), community-driven climate resilience across 11 neighborhoods, brownfield education, and a public Air Quality Dashboard, serving Cincinnati residents with grant and philanthropic funding.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Groundwork Ohio River Valley industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Environmental Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)
- akta.pro primary industry
- After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Brownfield Redevelopment Support (Site Characterization & Reuse Planning) (EUAHAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Groundwork Ohio River Valley is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Groundwork Ohio River Valley business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grant Funding: Primary revenue stream from government and foundation grants. Received $10,000 from Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky for pollinator-centric climate resiliency projects. Part of $430,000 Land Use Innovation Initiative awarded to five Groundwork Trusts through Groundwork USA, NPS, and EPA partnership.
- Individual Donations: Organization accepts individual donations through Network for Good platform (https://groundworkorv.networkforgood.com/projects/125989-everyday-giving).
- Corporate Philanthropy: Support from corporate partners including Duke Energy Foundation, REI, and others through grants and sponsorships for youth programs and environmental initiatives.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels8 records
Groundwork Ohio River Valley product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Groundwork Ohio River Valley is a nonprofit environmental organization that delivers youth green workforce development programs, community-driven climate resilience initiatives, and environmental education across Greater Cincinnati. Its core offerings include paid youth employment through Green Team, a professionalized young adult conservation corps (Green Corps), the Climate Safe Neighborhoods community resilience program working across 11 neighborhoods, and the Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit. All programs are provided at no cost to participants and supported by federal, state, foundation, and corporate grants.
Product overview
Groundwork Ohio River Valley operates as a community-based environmental nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on youth green workforce development and community environmental resilience. The core offerings include the Green Team Youth Program (for high school students ages 14-18), the Green Corps Young Adult Program (for young adults), and the Climate Safe Neighborhoods (CSN) initiative (community resilience and engagement). The Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit provides environmental education resources. The programs work together to provide environmental restoration experience, professional development, and community science opportunities, with youth employees working on initiatives like invasive species removal, tree planting, and air quality monitoring.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Green Team Youth Program A paid youth employment program for high school students ages 14-18 that cultivates employment readiness in the green industry through active participation in trail improvement, parks, pollinator habitats, and community spaces. Participants develop job skills while enhancing the urban environment of Cincinnati over a summer season.
- Green Corps Young Adult Program A professionalized urban conservation corps for young adults across Cincinnati that executes environmental conservation and sustainability projects including invasive species removal, native plant propagation, and green infrastructure implementation. Provides advanced green workforce experience and professional development.
- Climate Safe Neighborhoods (CSN) A community-driven initiative that identifies neighborhoods disproportionately affected by natural disasters due to historical injustices and engages resident leaders to foster climate resilience and agency. Works with neighborhood Community Advisory Groups to address extreme heat and flooding, support leadership development in equitable planning, and influence environmental safety and disaster resilience actions.
- Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit An educational resource toolkit for the Roselawn neighborhood that empowers community members to understand and address brownfield sites. Includes guides for educating on brownfields, land use and public health advocacy materials, neighborhood assessments, and resources for redevelopment planning.
- Youth Environmental Council (YEC) A program that gives teens the opportunity to weigh in on Cincinnati's climate future and participate in environmental decision-making processes, including collaboration with the Green Cincinnati Plan.
- Air Quality Dashboard A publicly accessible data visualization platform that tracks and displays air quality index (AQI) data across Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods from seven continuous monitoring stations. Features maps, line graphs, calendars, and tables with the ability to group locations and compare air quality over time.
Quantifiable outcome
- 16 acres of invasive species cleared, 3,025 pounds of trash removed, 263 hours of professional development delivered to youth in Summer 2025 alone
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Groundwork Ohio River Valley
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Groundwork Ohio River Valley technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Groundwork Ohio River Valley partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
38 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Duke EnergycoreDuke Energy Ohio and Kentucky provided $10,000 grant for pollinator-centric climate resiliency projects in underserved neighborhoods. Partnership with B the Keeper expands workforce and volunteer program for pollinator projects.
- Groundwork USAcoreNational parent organization providing technical assistance, funding coordination, and program support to Groundwork Ohio River Valley. Partnership enables participation in national initiatives including Land Use Innovation Initiative and access to federal agency partnerships with NPS and EPA.
- National Park ServicecoreFederal agency partner enabling conservation work, national park experiences for youth, and participation in Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. Joint partnership through Groundwork USA for brownfield revitalization initiatives.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreFederal agency partner providing brownfield technical assistance and funding through Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization. Enables participation in Land Use Innovation Initiative and access to environmental justice programs.
- Ohio Environmental Protection AgencycoreState environmental agency partner supporting environmental education and community programs in Ohio.
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical GardenmajorGreen Team site partner where youth install pollinator habitats and work on conservation projects. Located at Rockdale Urban Learning Garden.
- Great Parks of Hamilton CountymajorGreen Team site partner for trail work and land stewardship projects building outdoor skills.
- Cincinnati Parks FoundationmajorFoundation partner supporting parks improvement projects and green infrastructure initiatives.
- REIminorOutdoor recreation retailer providing support for outdoor recreation programs and trail work initiatives.
- Green UmbrellacoreRegional sustainability alliance partner co-leading Climate Safe Neighborhoods (CSN) Partnership. Joint effort develops equitable community engagement processes centering historically underserved communities in regional planning.
- Cincinnati Public SchoolsmajorPartner school district enabling Green Team programs at schools including Oyler School and Aiken New Tech High School, providing access to student participants.
- Community Learning Center InstitutemajorCommunity partner supporting youth programming and educational initiatives in Cincinnati neighborhoods.
- Lighthouse Youth & Family ServicesmajorYouth services organization partner providing support for young adult programs and services.
- Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater CincinnatiminorMunicipal utility partner for environmental infrastructure and water quality projects.
- Superior Credit UnionminorFinancial partner providing financial literacy and budgeting skills workshops for youth program participants.
- MadTree BrewingminorLocal brewery partner supporting environmental initiatives, with Brady Duncan serving on board.
- Procter & Gamble (P&G)minorCorporate partner through board member Hannah Taphorn who works in global corporate sustainability at P&G.
- The Nature ConservancyminorConservation organization partner, with board member Evan Walker having 5 years of experience at TNC.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF)minorConservation organization partner, with board member Evan Walker serving as Director of Corporate Engagement at WWF.
- Davey Resource GroupminorEnvironmental consulting firm partner supporting tree and vegetation management projects.
- Turner FarmminorLocal farm partner supporting agricultural and food systems education programs.
- Durham StudiominorCreative studio partner providing design and communication support.
- City of CincinnaticoreMunicipal government partner for city-wide climate initiatives including Green Cincinnati Plan and Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities Initiative.
- Oyler SchoolmajorHost site for Green Team and Green Corps programs with media arts partnership through Oyler Media for youth-produced content.
- Cincinnati Red BikeminorBike share program partner supporting active transportation and outdoor recreation programs.
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceminorFederal wildlife agency partner supporting conservation and habitat restoration projects.
- Cincinnati ParksmajorCity parks department partner for park improvement and green infrastructure projects.
- Cincinnati Recreation CommissionmajorRecreation agency partner supporting youth programming and community recreation activities.
- Tetra TechminorEngineering and consulting firm providing expert support for Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit initiative, with Matt Wagner supporting environmental education program.
- City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and SustainabilitycoreCity department providing expert support for brownfield initiatives with Amanda Testerman, supporting Climate Safe Neighborhoods work.
- Thomas More Biology Field StationminorAcademic partner providing field-based ecological learning opportunities for youth.
- Carriage House FarmminorLocal farm partner providing sustainable agriculture and food systems education.
- Cincinnati Urban PromiseminorYouth empowerment organization providing leadership and life skills training.
- ImagominorEnvironmental education organization providing place-based nature connection programming.
- Bee the KeeperminorPollinator conservation partner working on pollinator habitats with Green Team at Mt. Echo site.
- Keep Cincinnati BeautifulminorEnvironmental nonprofit partner supporting community beautification and environmental projects.
- Civic Garden CenterminorGarden education partner supporting pollinator garden maintenance and urban agriculture.
- REDI CincinnatiminorRegional economic development organization with board member Jennifer Thomas serving as Director of Research.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Groundwork Ohio River Valley competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Trust for Public Land: National conservation nonprofit with park, trail, and community green-space programs including urban climate-resilience work. Comparable on brownfield-to-park conversions, federal/state funding, and youth engagement, but at materially larger scale.
- Center for Community Progress: National nonprofit focused on vacant-property and brownfield redevelopment with strong municipal and federal partnerships. Comparable on the Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit work and on accessing EPA brownfield technical-assistance funding streams.
- The Nature Conservancy (Ohio Chapter): Global conservation nonprofit with active Ohio programming and corporate-engagement model. Comparable on conservation delivery, board-level corporate ties (Evan Walker spent 5 years at TNC), and federal/state grant capture, though at vastly greater scale.
Direct peers
- Groundwork USA: National parent/affiliate network of Groundwork Trusts providing technical assistance, federal coordination (NPS, EPA), and program frameworks. The same operating model, funding channels, and youth workforce playbook are used across all Groundwork Trusts, making this the closest functional peer and standard-setter.
- Green Umbrella: Regional sustainability alliance co-leading the Climate Safe Neighborhoods initiative with Groundwork ORV. Operates overlapping convening, EJ engagement, and climate-resilience programming across Greater Cincinnati with similar grant/donor revenue model.
- Groundwork Kansas City: Another Groundwork Trust delivering identical Green Team/Green Corps-style youth programs, brownfield assessment, and climate resilience planning in a Midwestern urban setting. Direct comparable on staff scale, revenue mix, and program portfolio.
- Groundwork Hudson Valley: Groundwork Trust operating the same integrated youth workforce + brownfield + community resilience portfolio. Comparable funding profile (NPS/EPA grants, corporate philanthropy) and program structure.
- Groundwork Denver: Sibling Groundwork Trust operating the same youth green workforce, brownfield redevelopment, and community environmental resilience model in a different metro. Comparable staff size, programmatic mix, and federal-grant funding model.
Regional players
- Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati: Local environmental education and urban-agriculture nonprofit. Shares Cincinnati geography, volunteer-driven programming, pollinator and habitat work, and overlapping corporate/individual donor base with Groundwork ORV.
- Keep Cincinnati Beautiful: Cincinnati-based environmental nonprofit focused on community beautification, cleanups, and volunteer-driven greening — a stated program partner of Groundwork ORV. Comparable on geography, community-engagement model, and corporate-grant funding base.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Groundwork Ohio River Valley social profiles
Digital presenceGroundwork Ohio River Valley financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Groundwork Ohio River Valley leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Groundwork Ohio River Valley funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Groundwork Ohio River Valley 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 Ohio River Valley
What does Groundwork Ohio River Valley do?
Groundwork Ohio River Valley is a nonprofit environmental organization that delivers youth green workforce development programs, community-driven climate resilience initiatives, and environmental education across Greater Cincinnati. Its core offerings include paid youth employment through Green Team, a professionalized young adult conservation corps (Green Corps), the Climate Safe Neighborhoods community resilience program working across 11 neighborhoods, and the Roselawn Brownfield Community Toolkit. All programs are provided at no cost to participants and supported by federal, state, foundation, and corporate grants.
Is Groundwork Ohio River Valley a public or private company?
Groundwork Ohio River Valley is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Groundwork Ohio River Valley founded?
Groundwork Ohio River Valley was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Groundwork Ohio River Valley based?
Groundwork Ohio River Valley is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does Groundwork Ohio River Valley make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are individual Donations and corporate Philanthropy.
Who are Groundwork Ohio River Valley's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Trust for Public Land, Center for Community Progress and The Nature Conservancy (Ohio Chapter). Direct peers are Groundwork USA, Green Umbrella, Groundwork Kansas City, Groundwork Hudson Valley and Groundwork Denver. Regional players are Civic Garden Center of Greater Cincinnati and Keep Cincinnati Beautiful.
Does Groundwork Ohio River Valley have an API?
No public API is recorded for Groundwork Ohio River Valley.
What industry is Groundwork Ohio River Valley in?
Groundwork Ohio River Valley's product category is Community Environmental Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAC, After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EUAHAFAJ, Brownfield Redevelopment Support (Site Characterization & Reuse Planning). Its NAICS code is 611710.