Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth

What Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth does

Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit religious organization founded in 2002 (originally as the Seventh Principle Project, named for the UU Seventh Principle of respect for the interdependent web of existence). The organization operates as a continental ministry providing spiritual grounding, education, and community-building resources for Earth care and climate justice within Unitarian Universalism, with operational presence listed in Portland, Oregon and finance operations in Erie, Colorado. Its core programs include Climate Justice Worship Resources (service templates, readings, seasonal devotionals for congregations), monthly Full Moon Circle Gatherings (virtual spiritual gatherings via Zoom), the Community Read program (monthly book discussions such as Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's What If We Get It Right?), a Climate Justice Movement Chaplaincy providing pastoral support to climate activists, educational curriculum, and advocacy campaigns organized through the UU Climate Justice Coalition. UUMFE also convenes the annual UU Hill Day on Capitol Hill and operates a planned "EarthChurch" prototype in development.

UUMFE is the primary convener of the UU Climate Justice Coalition, coordinating 10+ partner organizations including the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ), the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), Side with Love, UU State Action Networks, UU Women's Federation, UU Animal Ministry, DRUUMM, and UUYACJ (currently on hiatus). Core campaigns include the Earth Bill, Environmental Justice for All Act, Climate-Smart Farm Bill, and the People vs. Fossil Fuels initiative. Distribution occurs through the UUA General Assembly, Share the Plate congregational collections, the uumfe.org website, an email newsletter (Neon CRM), Facebook and Instagram channels, and virtual Zoom-based programming.

The business model is donation-driven with three revenue streams: individual donations, congregational Share the Plate collections (e.g., on World Water Day, Earth Day, Biodiversity Sunday), and grants from foundations. Suggested per-congregation donations for worship resources are tiered at $315 (small), $350 (mid-sized), $385 (large), and $500 (very generous), with a pay-what-you-can alternative. A Beacon Press affiliate arrangement (discount code "UUMFE," 4% revenue share) provides supplementary income. Staffing is lean: approximately 5 people total, consisting of an Executive Director, a part-time bookkeeper, and a volunteer board with a fundraising consultant engaged since April 2026. The organization is mid-leadership-transition, with Rev. Lauren Spivey Levwood promoted to Executive Director in July 2026 after a 2025 Acting Director period, and Swamini Adityananda Saraswati appointed Board Chair in December 2025.

Name

Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth

Legal name

Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth

Website

https://uumfe.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

UUMFE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2002 that operates as a continental Unitarian Universalist ministry providing worship resources, chaplaincy, spiritual gatherings, and climate justice programming for UU congregations and activists across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Faith-based Climate Justice Ministry

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)

Keywords

• Faith-based climate ministry
• Climate justice education
• Worship resource library
• Spiritual gathering programs
• Environmental advocacy ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Erie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Online and check donations from individuals supporting Earth care and climate justice work. EIN/Tax-Exempt ID Number: #02-0530982
2. Congregational Support: Support from UU congregations including 'Share the Plate' special collections on World Water Day, Earth Day, and Biodiversity Sunday
3. Grants: Grant funding from foundations supporting climate justice and environmental work

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

UUMFE is a continental Unitarian Universalist ministry that provides spiritual grounding, educational resources, and community programming for Earth care and climate justice. Its core offerings include Climate Justice Worship Resources (service templates, readings, seasonal devotionals for congregations), Full Moon Circle Gatherings (monthly virtual spiritual gatherings), Climate Justice Movement Chaplaincy (pastoral care for climate activists), Community Read Program (monthly climate-focused book discussions), Curriculum, Workshop Recordings, and Justice Resources for advocacy campaigns. Programs are delivered virtually and supported by donations, grants, and congregational contributions.

Product overview

Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) is a continental ministry offering a suite of programs focused on spiritual grounding, education, and community-building for Earth care and climate justice. Its core offerings include Climate Justice Worship Resources (service templates and readings), Full Moon Circle Gatherings (monthly virtual spiritual gatherings), Workshop Recordings (empowerment content), Curriculum (educational materials), Justice Resources (campaign toolkits), the Climate Justice Movement Chaplaincy (spiritual care for activists), and a Community Read Program (monthly book discussions). The organization also hosts an annual Winter Solstice Ritual and is developing a new 'EarthChurch' programming concept. Programs are delivered virtually via Zoom, Vimeo recordings, and online resource hubs, with individual donations, congregation plate-sharing, and grants as funding mechanisms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Climate Justice Worship Resources
• Full Moon Circle Gatherings
• Climate Justice Movement Chaplaincy
• Community Read Program
• Curriculum
• Workshop Recordings
• Spiritual Gatherings Recordings
• Justice Resources
• Winter Solstice Ritual

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 years of continuous climate justice ministry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUA is the central organization for Unitarian Universalism in the United States. UUMFE partners regularly with UUA on programs and campaigns, most notably the Green Sanctuary Program and Environmental Justice Practitioners' Network.
• Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUSJ represents Unitarian Universalism on Capitol Hill and mobilizes UUs for legislative advocacy. UUMFE partners with UUSJ on legislative campaigns including Earth Bill, Environmental Justice for All Act, and Fair Farm Bill.
• Side with LovecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUA-affiliated campaign. UUMFE partners with Side with Love on People vs. Fossil Fuels campaign to end the era of fossil fuels and declare a climate emergency.
• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUSC is a human rights organization. UUMFE partners with UUSC on advocacy work including UU Hill Day and disaster relief efforts.
• UU State Action NetworksmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of UU state-level action networks. UUMFE coordinates climate justice work through this network of state organizations.
• UU Women's FederationsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganization serving UU women. UUMFE collaborates on climate justice initiatives and campaigns.
• UU Animal MinistrysupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUU ministry focused on animal welfare and environmental connection. UUMFE collaborates on environmental justice issues affecting animals and ecosystems.
• UUs for a Just Economic CommunitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUU organization focused on economic justice. UUMFE partners on climate justice campaigns intersecting with economic issues.
• Diverse & Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUU organization serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. UUMFE partners on environmental justice work centering frontline communities.
• UU Young Adults for Climate Justice (UUYACJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUYACJ was founded in 2012 by UUMFE with support from UU Funding Program. Young adult climate justice network (ages 18-35) supported by UUMFE staff. Currently on hiatus (June 2024).
• Coalition of UU State Action NetworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of state-level UU action organizations. UUMFE is the primary convener of the UU Climate Justice Coalition which includes this network.
• UUs for Social JusticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUSJ mobilizes UUs in National Capital Region for legislative advocacy. Partner on Earth Bill, Environmental Justice for All Act, and Climate-Smart Farm Bill campaigns.
• Beacon PresssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerUUMFE is an affiliate of Beacon Press. Enter discount code 'UUMFE' for 20% discount plus free shipping; 4% of order contributed to UUMFE.
• UU Climate Justice CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUUMFE is the primary convener of the UU Climate Justice Coalition consisting of 10+ UU organizations coordinating climate justice actions including The Earth Bill, Environmental Justice for All Act, and People vs. Fossil Fuels campaign.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• EcoAmerica: Climate action nonprofit that operates the Blessed Tomorrow program and partners with religious and other values-based institutions on climate leadership; comparable faith/climate programming and resources.
• Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): The central governing body of Unitarian Universalism that co-partners with UUMFE on the Green Sanctuary Program and Environmental Justice Practitioners' Network; broader in scope but shares UU ecosystem.
• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC): UU-affiliated human rights nonprofit partnering with UUMFE on UU Hill Day and disaster relief; broader human rights mandate but shared UU advocacy and congregational base.

Direct peers

• Creation Justice Ministries: Christian eco-justice network representing mainline Protestant denominations on environmental policy and providing educational resources; comparable eco-justice advocacy and worship focus.
• GreenFaith: Multi-faith environmental organization offering worship resources, chaplaincy support, and climate justice mobilization; closest comparable to UUMFE in mission and program mix.
• Interfaith Power & Light: Faith-based climate organization mobilizing religious congregations on climate action; directly comparable to UUMFE in combining worship/spiritual grounding with climate advocacy and congressional engagement.
• Blessed Tomorrow: A faith-climate partnership providing resources, worship materials and advocacy tools to religious communities on climate; directly comparable as a faith + climate resource hub serving congregations.
• Faith in Place: Faith-based environmental organization serving houses of worship across the U.S. Midwest with environmental programs, worship resources and advocacy; comparable faith + climate ministry model.

Emerging players

• United Religions Initiative: Global interfaith organization active in 112 countries where Board Chair Swamini Adityananda Saraswati previously served; comparable in coordinating faith communities around shared values including environmental stewardship.
• National Religious Partnership for the Environment: Network of faith-based environmental organizations coordinating religious engagement on climate; overlapping mission with UUMFE's coalition convener role in faith-climate advocacy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/uuministryforearth
• Instagraminstagram.com/uumfe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitarian-universalist-ministry-for-earth

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth