Grow Native Massachusetts

What Grow Native Massachusetts does

Grow Native Massachusetts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2010 and headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts, that delivers education, events, and resources promoting the use of native plants in residential and community landscaping. Its core offerings span an Annual Native Plant Sale (6,057 plants across 173 species sold in 2026, with over $90,000 in combined membership and sale revenue), a network of pop-up markets at farmers markets across Massachusetts (14 scheduled in 2026), a free Evenings with Experts lecture series (50+ lectures delivered), paid workshops with CEU credits, member-exclusive Gatherings in the Field, an Ecology Actions volunteer program, and the Massachusetts Pollinator Network (MAPN) as an integrated sub-program.

The organization is community-driven rather than technology-driven: it operates without proprietary software or hardware, relying instead on standard third-party platforms such as Threadless (merchandise), ClickandPledge (donations), Salesforce (yard sign/merchandise fulfillment), Eventbrite (event registration), and Zoom (Habitat Chats and online workshops). Its core "technology" is institutional knowledge in plant ecology, an accumulated content library of videos, plant databases, and reading lists, and a curated native nursery network of small specialty growers.

Revenue is generated through five streams: tiered individual memberships ($60 to $1,000+ Leadership Circle), the annual plant sale and pop-up markets, paid workshops, Threadless merchandise (30% margin), and corporate supporter / matching gift programs, with individual contributions stated to fund over half of the operating budget. Grow Native Massachusetts serves four primary customer segments: Massachusetts home gardeners, native plant nurseries, landscape professionals, and conservation organizations/municipalities, and it is supported by a documented base of 102+ volunteers contributing 750+ hours at the 2026 sale and 300+ members giving gifts in the two months preceding that sale.

Name

Grow Native Massachusetts

Legal name

Grow Native Massachusetts

Website

https://grownativemass.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Grow Native Massachusetts is a Lexington, MA-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2010 that educates Massachusetts gardeners and communities on native plant landscaping through plant sales, pop-up markets, lectures, workshops, volunteer programs, and the Massachusetts Pollinator Network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education and Native Plant Conservation

NAICS

Nursery, Garden Center, and Farm Supply Retailers (444240), Landscaping Services (561730)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Native Species & Restoration Plant Nurseries (AFAMADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Native, Pollinator & Drought-Tolerant Garden Installations (HSAIAFAL), Native & Pollinator Garden Design/Install (HSAIABAG), Seasonal Color, Planting & Horticultural Services (BPABADAL)

Keywords

• Native plant education
• Ecological landscaping
• Native plant sales
• Pollinator conservation
• Community gardening

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues and Annual Gifts: Annual membership contributions at tiered levels ($60/year for basic membership, scaling up to $1,000+ for Leadership Circle). Individual donations and sustaining (recurring monthly) memberships. Contributions fund over one-half of the operating budget.
2. Native Plant Sale Revenue: Annual plant sale generates over $90,000 in combined membership support and plant sale revenue. Plants sold include perennials ($14–$22) and shrubs/trees ($28–$42+). Leftover plants donated to partner organizations.
3. Workshop Fees: Paid in-depth workshops with exceptional instructors offered throughout the year, both in-person and online. Fees typically range from $15 for members to $25 for non-members, with workshop sponsor options at $100.
4. Merchandise Sales: Branded t-shirts and accessories sold via Threadless online storefront. 30% of purchase price goes directly to support Grow Native Massachusetts.
5. Corporate Memberships and Matching: Corporate supporter program for landscape professionals (minimum $100 for website listing). Employer matching programs for individual donations. Separate corporate membership form available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Grow Native Massachusetts provides environmental education, community events, and native plant distribution services to promote the use of native plants in Massachusetts landscaping. Its core offerings include the Annual Native Plant Sale (6,000+ plants, 173 native species), a network of Pop-Up Markets at farmers markets statewide, the Evenings with Experts lecture series, paid Workshops, member-exclusive Gatherings in the Field, the Ecology Actions volunteer program, and the Massachusetts Pollinator Network.

Product overview

Grow Native Massachusetts operates as a non-profit organization offering a unified portfolio of educational programs and plant sales centered on native plant landscaping. The core offerings include the Annual Native Plant Sale and Native Plant Pop-Up Markets for direct plant sales; Evenings With Experts and Workshops for educational programming; Gatherings In the Field for member-exclusive site visits; Ecology Actions for volunteer engagement; and the Massachusetts Pollinator Network as an official program. All offerings are designed to promote biodiversity through native plant adoption in Massachusetts landscapes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Massachusetts Pollinator Network (MAPN): A program dedicated to inspiring action across the Commonwealth on behalf of native plants and the diversity of life they support.

Products and services

• Annual Native Plant Sale The organization's flagship annual event, one of the largest native plant sales in Massachusetts. Offers over 6,000 plants representing 150+ native species including perennial wildflowers, ferns, grasses, sedges, shrubs, and trees. Features a member pre-sale day and public sale day, with proceeds funding year-round programs. Open to Massachusetts residents and gardeners.
• Native Plant Pop-Up Markets Seasonal mobile markets hosted at farmers markets and community events across Massachusetts. Partnered with local farmers markets in Cambridge, Brookline, Newton, Devens, Pittsfield, Wellfleet, and other locations. Features native nursery network growers offering sustainably-grown native plants.
• Evenings With Experts Free public lecture series featuring national experts on native plant landscaping ecology. Since 2010, over 50 lectures have been presented, with many available as videos. Held in partnership with Cambridge Public Library, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Boston Society of Landscape Architects, and New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill. CEUs available for NOFA-AOLCP and LA CES credits.
• Workshops In-depth paid educational classes offered both in-person and online covering topics such as plant communities, coastal ecosystems, snow ecology, fungi, meadow creation, and Cape Cod landscaping. Taught by expert instructors with CEUs available for some programs. Member fee $15, non-member $25.
• Gatherings — In the Field Member-exclusive site visits to residential gardens, community projects, native plant nurseries, and professionally designed landscapes. Intimate events limited to 20-25 participants allowing hands-on learning and knowledge exchange about creating native plant landscapes.
• Ecology Actions Volunteer Program Volunteer program partnering with organizations on community stewardship projects supporting biodiversity. Includes opportunities for invasive plant removal, native plantings, and habitat restoration activities across Massachusetts communities.
• Massachusetts Pollinator Network (MAPN) An official program of Grow Native Massachusetts focused on inspiring action across the Commonwealth for native plants and the diversity of life they support. Includes monthly Habitat Chat drop-in meetings via Zoom, the Pollinator Pathway Cape Cod initiative, and community outreach.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership with tiered giving levels ($60 Basic, $100+ Supporter, $250+ Contributor, $500+ Patron, $1000+ Leadership Circle). Benefits include discounts on workshops, invitations to Gatherings, advance access to plant sales, and exclusive events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sold 6,057 plants representing 173 native species at the 2026 annual sale
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Ayer-Devens Pocket Forest ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2023Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grant project in Ayer and Devens, MA. Grow Native Massachusetts is an official partner organization contributing volunteers through Ecology Actions for tree planting days.
• Massachusetts Pollinator Network (MAPN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAPN joined Grow Native Massachusetts as an official program in 2025, bringing its mission to inspire action across the Commonwealth for native plants and the diversity of life they support. MAPN was previously fostered by NOFA/Mass, which facilitated a smooth transition. Grow Native's impact is strengthened by the addition of the MAPN team and its focus on biodiversity and pollinator conservation.
• Cambridge Public LibrarycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram partner for the Evenings with Experts lecture series. Provides venue and promotional support for free public lectures on native plant landscaping and ecology.
• Mount Auburn CemeterycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram partner for the Evenings with Experts lecture series. Provides venue and promotional support for free public lectures on native plant landscaping and ecology.
• Boston Society of Landscape Architects (BSLA)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram partner for the Evenings with Experts lecture series. Promotes lectures to BSLA members and supports CEU credits (LA CES 1.5 credits) for landscape architecture professionals.
• New England Botanic Garden at Tower HillcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram partner for the Evenings with Experts lecture series. Provides venue and promotional support for free public lectures on native plant landscaping and ecology.
• Hilltop NativesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmall native plant nursery business specializing in sustainably-grown native plants. Participates in Grow Native Massachusetts pop-up markets. Grows much of stock from seed, often local ecotype.
• Red Trillium GardensminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmall native plant nursery business. Participates in multiple Grow Native Massachusetts pop-up markets (Devens, Pittsfield, Newton, Wellfleet, Fall Plant Market). Grows stock from seed, often local ecotype.
• Checkerspot FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participates in Grow Native Massachusetts pop-up markets at Pittsfield and Newton farmers markets. Specializes in sustainably-grown native plants.
• Ward NurseriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery offering native perennials by region. Participates in Grow Native Massachusetts pop-up markets (Pittsfield).
• Wing and a PrayerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participated in Grow Native Massachusetts pop-up markets (Pittsfield).
• Butterfly Effect FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participates in Grow Native Massachusetts pop-up markets at Newton and Wellfleet farmers markets.
• Tree Talk NativesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participates in Grow Native Massachusetts pop-up markets at Newton, Wellfleet, and the Fall Plant Market.
• Lady Fern FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participated in Grow Native Massachusetts events including Brookline farmers market in 2024 and the Fall Plant Market.
• Oakhaven SanctuaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participates in the Grow Native Massachusetts Fall Plant Market.
• 1 Acre of TreesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participates in the Grow Native Massachusetts Fall Plant Market.
• Blue Stem NativesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNative plant nursery. Participates in the Grow Native Massachusetts Fall Plant Market.
• Van Berkum NurseryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale native plant nursery that grows plants specially for Grow Native Massachusetts, including Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata and local ecotype Sisyrinchium angustifolium for the 2026 sale. Also partnered in pot recycling program.
• First Parish LexingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for the annual Native Plant Sale at 7 Harrington Rd, Lexington, MA. Grow Native Massachusetts uses the church property for its flagship annual sale.
• Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation organization that partnered for the Native Plants for Cape Cod Life celebration. Staff member Erin Camire gave a talk at Wellfleet Public Library. APCC also had plants to sell at the Wellfleet Pop-Up Market.
• Pollinator Pathway Cape CodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner organization participating in the Wellfleet Pop-Up Market as part of the Native Plants for Cape Cod Life celebration.
• NOFA/MasscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOFA/Mass (Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter) fostered the Massachusetts Pollinator Network (MAPN) through its early years and made possible the transition of MAPN as an official program of Grow Native Massachusetts.
• East Jordan PlasticsminorOthersPartner in garden plastic pot recycling program. Collects, transports, and processes garden plastic into new garden containers. Grow Native partners with East Jordan Plastics and Van Berkum Nursery for pot recycling after the annual sale.
• Devens Farmers MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for the Devens Pop-Up native plant market on August 25. Co-hosts the pop-up market with Grow Native Massachusetts.
• Wellfleet Farmers MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for the Wellfleet Pop-Up native plant market on September 23. Part of the Native Plants for Cape Cod Life celebration.
• Pittsfield Farmers MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for the Pittsfield Pop-Up native plant market on September 12.
• Newton Farmers MarketminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHost venue for the Newton Pop-Up native plant market on September 15 at Cold Spring Park.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation: A national nonprofit focused on invertebrate conservation, including pollinators. Operates in an adjacent but overlapping space and competes for conservation funding and attention with Grow Native Massachusetts's pollinator and biodiversity programming.
• Pollinator Partnership: A national nonprofit dedicated to pollinator health and habitat conservation. Directly overlaps with Grow Native Massachusetts's MAPN program mission and could compete for pollinator-focused grants, partnerships, and donor support at a national scale.
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: A national-scale native plant education and research organization affiliated with the University of Texas. Offers overlapping educational resources, plant databases, and native plant recommendations, and represents a much larger incumbent that could compete for donor attention and digital audience.

Direct peers

• Ecological Landscape Alliance: A nonprofit focused on ecological landscaping education, professional training, and certification (including CEU-eligible programs like LA CES). Directly comparable to Grow Native Massachusetts in offering workshops, expert lectures, and resources aimed at ecological landscape practitioners and homeowners.
• NOFA/Mass (Northeast Organic Farming Association, Massachusetts Chapter): A Massachusetts nonprofit that previously fostered MAPN before its transition to Grow Native Massachusetts. Operates in the same region with overlapping audiences around sustainable horticulture, organic land care, and ecological education, making it both a partner and a comparable peer.
• Wild Ones: A national native plant society with local chapters focused on native plant landscaping education and community organizing. Operates a similar education-plus-community model with chapters that host plant sales, lectures, and stewardship events, directly mirroring Grow Native Massachusetts's program structure.
• Native Plant Trust (formerly New England Wild Flower Society): The most directly comparable organization: a New England-based nonprofit dedicated to native plant conservation, education, plant sales, and habitat stewardship. Operates Garden in the Woods and offers a similar mix of plant sales, lectures, workshops, and educational resources, making it the closest functional peer for Grow Native Massachusetts.

Others

• Massachusetts Audubon Society: A Massachusetts-based conservation nonprofit whose mission (habitat and bird conservation) overlaps with Grow Native Massachusetts's native plant and pollinator work. Operates at a much larger scale and competes for the same environmentally-minded donor and volunteer base in Massachusetts.

Regional players

• Native Plant Society of New Jersey: A state-level native plant society offering plant sales, lectures, and educational programming for New Jersey residents. Mirrors Grow Native Massachusetts's state-society model in an adjacent geography, useful as a comparable for membership-based nonprofit economics.
• Bay Area Native Seed / Bringing Back the Natives: A California-based native plant education and community event organizer. Operates a comparable model of an annual native plant garden tour and educational programming, but in a different region and ecosystem. Useful as a comparable for nonprofit community-event scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/grownativemass
• Instagraminstagram.com/grownativemass
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grow-native-massachusetts-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Grow Native Massachusetts