Women For A Healthy Environment

What Women For A Healthy Environment does

Women For A Healthy Environment (WHE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered at 7371 Thomas Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA. Originally incubated from a 2007 Women's Health & the Environment conference co-created by The Heinz Endowments and Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, WHE delivers environmental health programming across four pillars: Healthy Homes, Healthy Schools, Healthy Early Learning Centers, and Environmental Health Policy. Direct services include Healthy Home Assessments, the HUD-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program for income-eligible Allegheny County families, the Mon Valley Community Health Worker program, the Healthy Childcare Champions in-person assessments, the Healthy School Recognition Program (HSRP), the 1,000 Hours a Year mini-grant program ($500-$5,000 per building) for lead and radon testing in schools and childcare facilities, and the Eco-Student Stewardship Club for high school students. Geographic reach covers Southwestern Pennsylvania (ten counties, 674 public schools, 336,000 children mapped via its Environmental Hazards Map) and Southeastern Pennsylvania via a Philadelphia office opened in 2021; the organization reaches over 336,000 people with environmental health messaging. WHE pairs direct programming with policy advocacy, having influenced the Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law (2021), the Pennsylvania Whole Homes Repair Act (2022), and SB 1328 on radon in schools (2024), and it convenes coalitions including Lead Safe Allegheny and the Radon in Schools Workgroup. Technology assets include the Rachel AI chatbot on its website, an interactive Environmental Hazards Map, and reusable curricula and fact sheets; the only non-AI proprietary technology is the assessment/remediation playbook used by community health workers, supported by partnerships with Action Housing and local contractors for HUD-funded home improvements.

WHE's revenue model is grant- and donation-dependent and free to end users. FY2024 revenue mix is approximately 67% restricted grants (HUD Healthy Homes Production Grant, USEPA grants, state/federal programs), 30% unrestricted contributions (foundations such as Heinz Endowments and Hillman Foundation, individual donations via monthly "Health Guardians" and legacy "Health Architects" programs), and 3% contracts and miscellaneous revenue. Major programmatic inflows include a $100,000 USEPA grant (2024) for the Eco-Student Stewardship Program, a $250,000 settlement from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office (2021) for lead prevention education, and foundation support for the 1000 Hours and Healthy Early Learning programs. Operational efficiency is high at 89% of every dollar going to programs (9% fundraising, 2% management), per the FY2024 disclosure, and WHE carries Charity Navigator's Four-Star rating plus the Guidestar Transparency Seal. The organization employs approximately 11 listed program and administrative staff plus an active board, directors emeriti, advisory committee, and interns, and is led by Executive Director Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis and Board Chair Tracey Conti, MD, MBA.

Name

Women For A Healthy Environment

Legal name

Women For A Healthy Environment

Website

https://womenforahealthyenvironment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Women For A Healthy Environment is a Pittsburgh-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 that delivers science-based environmental health programs across homes, schools, and early learning centers in Pennsylvania, funded primarily by government and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Student Health Services (School Nursing, Health Office) (EDAJAIAE)

Keywords

• Environmental health advocacy
• Healthy homes programs
• Indoor air quality
• Lead poisoning prevention
• Environmental policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

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. Grants and Contributions: WHE receives funding from restricted and unrestricted grants from foundations (The Heinz Endowments, Hillman Foundation, US EPA), government grants (HUD Healthy Homes Production Grant, federal/state programs), and individual donations. In FY2024, restricted grants represented 67% of revenue and unrestricted giving 30%.
2. Donations and Giving Programs: WHE accepts donations through multiple programs including monthly giving (Health Guardians), legacy giving (Health Architects), one-time donations, and volunteer contributions. Charity Navigator Four-Star rated organization.
3. Contracts and Program Fees: Contracts and miscellaneous revenue represented approximately 3% of FY2024 revenue, including fee-for-service programs and government contracts for program delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Women For A Healthy Environment (WHE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free science-based environmental health programs in homes, schools, and early learning centers across Pennsylvania. Its core services include Healthy Home Assessments and HUD-funded asthma-trigger home repairs, the Healthy Schools and Healthy Childcare Champions recognition and assessment programs, the 1,000 Hours a Year lead/radon mini-grants for schools, and environmental health policy advocacy including coalition building that contributed to the Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law and Pennsylvania Whole Homes Repair Act.

Product overview

Women For A Healthy Environment (WHE) operates a multi-pronged environmental health programs portfolio organized into four core areas: Healthy Homes, Healthy Schools, Healthy Early Learning Centers, and Environmental Health Policy. The Healthy Homes Program includes direct family interventions through Healthy Home Assessments, the HUD-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program, a Mon Valley Community Health Worker initiative, and a Workforce Development track that trains contractors. The Healthy Schools Program encompasses the Healthy School Recognition Program (HSRP), the Environmental Hazards Map, the 1,000 Hours a Year Project (providing lead/radon testing grants), the Professional Development Hub, and the Eco-Student Stewardship Club. The Healthy Early Learning Centers Program features the Healthy Childcare Champions assessment program and professional development for educators. The Environmental Health Policy Program publishes policy briefs on lead, radon, PFAS, glyphosate, air quality, and water quality, and includes coalition-building efforts across Pennsylvania. Cross-cutting offerings include an AI chatbot named Rachel, a YouTube channel (WHE TV), newsletters, fact sheets, and an annual State of Schools Report.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Healthy Schools PA: A program dedicated to helping schools and administrators on building new and maintaining existing facilities, and improving indoor air quality with environmental health principles.
• Get the Lead Out Pittsburgh
• Lead Safe Allegheny
• 1,000 Hours a Year
• Life Without Lead
• Eco-Student Stewardship Program

Products and services

• Healthy Homes Program Science-based education and free Healthy Home Assessments helping families identify and reduce environmental hazards in their homes, including allergens, asthma triggers, lead-based paint, mold, pests, and other health and safety risks. Includes community workshops, home repair resources, asthma-friendly green cleaning kits, and connections to additional services for families in environmental justice communities.
• Healthy Homes Asthma Program HUD-funded program providing fully-funded home improvements to address asthma triggers in Allegheny County households meeting income eligibility ($60,100 for 1 person to $113,350 for 8 person households). Interventions include roof/window repairs, exhaust fan installation, sealing infiltration points, and general safety hazard repairs for families with asthmatic children.
• Mon Valley Community Health Worker Program Free community health worker support for families in Clairton, Duquesne, and McKeesport communities, helping manage asthma symptoms, understand treatment plans, identify barriers to care, and connect with community resources and services.
• Healthy Homes Workforce Development Partnership with Action Housing, Inc. investing in local contractors through training and certifications (EPA Lead-Safe RRP) needed to take on federally and state-funded healthy homes and lead/radon remediation projects, including reimbursement funding for contractor training.
• Healthy Schools Program Ensures children can learn in safe, healthy, and sustainable environments by helping schools and early learning centers address environmental hazards such as lead, radon, and poor indoor air quality through assessments, targeted training, customized action plans, and advocacy support.
• Healthy School Recognition Program (HSRP) Awards recognition to Pennsylvania K-12 public and private schools making strides toward green and healthy learning environments. Schools earn honors at Emerging, Honor Roll, High Honor Roll, and High Honor Roll with Distinction levels by completing activities across sustainability, curriculum, grounds, administration, and community engagement categories.
• Environmental Hazards Map Interactive map identifying potential environmental risks around public schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania, highlighting air emission sources, gas wells, mining operations, and active rail lines within a one-mile radius of school buildings. Covers ten counties and provides data on 674 public schools serving over 336,000 children.
• 1,000 Hours a Year Project Addresses lead and radon hazards in schools and childcare centers where children spend over 1,000 hours per year. Provides mini-grants ranging from $500 to $5,000 per building to help offset costs of testing and remediation for public schools, charter schools, private/parochial schools, and licensed childcare providers in Allegheny County.
• Healthy Schools Professional Development Hub Provides webinars, workshops, and events for teachers and school staff on environmental health topics including air quality management, lead safety, radon testing, and mold prevention. Offers continuing education credits and technical assistance for schools and early learning centers.
• Eco-Student Stewardship Club 32-week program for high school students in Southwestern Pennsylvania equipping participants with knowledge and skills to become environmental stewards and climate leaders. Covers clean water, climate and air quality, waste management, and community service, with hands-on learning and community projects.
• Healthy Early Learning Centers Program Helps childcare centers create healthier, more environmentally sustainable environments for young children through professional development, technical assistance, and eco-friendly resources including third-party certified cleaning supplies and indoor air quality improvements.
• Healthy Childcare Champions In-person assessment program for childcare facilities providing actionable, low-cost, eco-friendly strategies to reduce environmental hazards. Facilities receive guidance on cleaning products, mold, pesticides, dust, lead, radon, and indoor air quality, plus resources like walk-off mats, green cleaning supplies, glass microwave containers, and no smoking signage. Participants earn 4 CEUs and 2 Keystone STARS bonus points.
• Environmental Health Policy Program Advances policies protecting community health by focusing on reducing harmful exposures and improving air and water quality. Current initiatives address lead exposure (Get the Lead Out), radon in schools, PFAS ('forever chemicals'), glyphosate, air quality, and water quality through education, advocacy, and coalition building.

Quantifiable outcome

• PM2.5 levels in Philadelphia childcare centers dropped from 6.04 µg/m³ to 1.02 µg/m³ (83.2% reduction) after air purifier installation
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Action Housing, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHE partners with Action Housing, Inc. for workforce development, connecting local contractors with federal and state-funded home improvement projects. Action Housing administers the Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program and Weatherization Assistance Program, and WHE collaborates on HUD-funded Healthy Homes Asthma Program delivery.
• Lead Safe Allegheny CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA county-wide coalition envisioning a community where all children and families live in a lead-safe environment. WHE collaborates on leadership, advocacy, and strategic initiatives to advance primary prevention of lead poisoning across Allegheny County.
• Great Lakes Lead Elimination Network (GLLEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHE serves as the Pennsylvania representative in GLLEN, convened by the Ecology Center. GLLEN identifies local, state, and federal priorities to eliminate lead poisoning, including universal lead testing, shifting burden of proof to landlords, and funding for abatement programs.
• Lead-Free Promise ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA coalition of physicians, advocates, and parents protecting PA children by ending lead paint poisoning. WHE contributes to coalition goals including establishing a state fund for lead hazard removal and requiring universal childhood lead screening.
• Radon in Schools WorkgroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHE established this workgroup in 2019 to advocate for legislative action on radon in schools. Partner organizations include American Lung Association, PA Indoor Environments Association, Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction, Premier Youth Ambassadors for Radon Reduction, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Helping Solutions LLC, RadOn-RadOff, and PA Radon Health Equity Workgroup. SB 1328 was introduced in PA Senate in fall 2024.
• Cancer and Environment Network of Southwestern PAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA network of concerned citizens advocating for policy change to reduce exposure to harmful chemicals known to cause cancer and other health defects in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
• Trade Institute of PittsburghminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOne of several partner organizations that assist local contractors with training and building their businesses as part of WHE's workforce development efforts.
• Mon Valley InitiativeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization assisting local contractors with training and business development for WHE's workforce development program.
• Pittsburgh Hispanic Development CorporationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization assisting local contractors with training and business development for WHE's workforce development program.
• Riverside Center for InnovationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization assisting local contractors with training and business development for WHE's workforce development program.
• A. Philip Randolph InstituteminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner organization assisting local contractors with training and business development for WHE's workforce development program.
• Philadelphia Regional Center for Children's Environmental HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner in early learning center work in Philadelphia, providing expertise in children's environmental health. Marilyn Howarth, MD serves as Deputy Director and is a member of WHE's Public Health Advisory Committee.
• Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational partner organization supporting WHE's early learning center programs with resources and expertise on children's environmental health.
• Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-creator of the Women's Health & the Environment conference (2007) that inspired WHE's founding. WHE maintains ties to maternal and child health advocacy through resources like the Magee Women's Hospital 'Baby Steps to Green Parenting' guide.
• Eco-Healthy Child CarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing certification and best practices guidance for WHE's Healthy Childcare Champions program to create toxin-free childcare environments.
• Get the Lead Out Pittsburgh CampaigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic awareness campaign WHE helped develop and implement, which collaborated with Pittsburgh City Council to pass the Pittsburgh Lead Safety Law in November 2021.
• Pennsylvania Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHE's Healthy School Recognition Program helps schools work toward recognition through PA Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Program, aligning state and local environmental health initiatives.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Healthy Schools Network: Healthy Schools Network is a national nonprofit focused on environmental health in schools, including indoor air quality, lead in drinking water, and school facilities. Directly comparable to WHE's Healthy Schools program in mission and policy advocacy approach, with a national rather than regional scope.
• Eco-Healthy Child Care: Eco-Healthy Child Care is a program of the Children's Environmental Health Network that provides certification and best practices for childcare facilities to reduce environmental hazards—a direct analog to WHE's Healthy Childcare Champions program. Both work to translate environmental health science into actionable childcare facility standards.
• Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN): CEHN is a national nonprofit dedicated to protecting children from environmental health threats. Already a WHE partner, CEHN shares WHE's focus on early learning environments and school-based environmental health, and provides national-level resources and policy frameworks that complement WHE's regional program delivery.
• Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI): GHHI is the national thought leader on healthy homes, providing direct technical assistance, policy advocacy, and capacity building for healthy homes programs across the U.S. Highly comparable to WHE in mission (lead, asthma, indoor air quality remediation) and model (HUD-funded home repairs), though operating nationally rather than regionally.
• Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan: Healthy Homes Coalition is a regional nonprofit operating in West Michigan that provides home assessments, lead and asthma remediation, and advocacy for healthy housing—closely parallel to WHE's regional model. Both organizations sit at the intersection of community-based intervention, HUD funding, and policy advocacy, differing mainly in geography.
• Action Housing, Inc. Action Housing is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit providing affordable housing, weatherization, and lead-safe homes programs (administering Allegheny Lead Safe Homes Program). Already a WHE partner, Action Housing is highly comparable in operating model—HUD-funded housing interventions for low-income families in Allegheny County.

Regional players

• Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP): GASP is a Pittsburgh-based environmental advocacy nonprofit focused on air quality and clean energy policy. While more focused on outdoor air quality and energy rather than indoor environmental health, GASP operates in the same SW Pennsylvania geography and shares WHE's advocacy orientation and Environmental Justice community focus.
• Clean Air Council: Clean Air Council is a Philadelphia-based environmental advocacy organization working on air quality, climate, and environmental health. Operates in WHE's Southeastern Pennsylvania territory and shares focus on community-level environmental health impacts and policy advocacy.
• PennFuture: PennFuture is a statewide environmental advocacy organization working on clean water, air quality, and energy policy across Pennsylvania. Comparable in geographic scope to WHE and overlapping on lead and PFAS advocacy, though broader in environmental mandate and larger in policy footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Ecology Center: Ecology Center is a Michigan-based environmental nonprofit that convenes the Great Lakes Lead Elimination Network (GLLEN), in which WHE serves as the PA representative. Shares WHE's lead poisoning prevention focus at a broader regional level, with deeper programmatic infrastructure around consumer advocacy and environmental health.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@womenforahealthyenvironment_tv
• Facebookfacebook.com/WomenForAHealthyEnvironment
• Instagraminstagram.com/whe_environment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-for-a-healthy-environment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Women For A Healthy Environment