earth guardians

What earth guardians does

Earth Guardians is a US-registered 501c3 nonprofit (EIN 84-1397083) founded in 1992 by Tamara Roske in Maui, Hawaii, and currently headquartered at PO Box 1561, Laurel, Maryland, with operational presence in Boulder, Colorado. The organization delivers youth-led climate justice programming through a decentralized global network of Crews, which are intergenerational youth groups (ages 13-30) that take local climate action and feed into international advocacy. Core products include the Crews program, the Regional Crews Council mentorship layer, the Indigenous Youth Initiative (IYI), the Speakers' Bureau (including the 2024-launched Earth Voices initiative targeting 28+ US public schools), Project Grants ($300-$500, up to $1,000 for returning grantees), and Choose Action Now Project Guides and toolkits. Supporting programs include Masterclasses, the RYSE Youth Council, and the Earth Guardians Blog.

The organization's revenue model is donation-based: individual contributions (one-time and monthly recurring Legacy Donors), corporate sponsorships (Coachtopia, Sunski, Clove & Twine, Monos), foundation grants (Cliff Family Foundation, Global Greengrants, Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice), and crowdfunding via Global Giving. Programs are provided free of charge to participants; the organization disburses micro-grants to youth rather than collecting fees. GTM is community-led via the Crews network and event-driven through the Speakers' Bureau, with regional directors in Brazil, India, Japan, Mexico, Costa Rica, Germany, and a pan-Africa program. Technology stack is light: a Squarespace website, Google Forms for applications, YouTube for content, and standard social media channels; there is no proprietary software platform.

Earth Guardians reported 1M+ people directly impacted and 20,000+ trees planted across 30 African countries through 80 reforestation projects. Staff composition is 94% youth and 88% BIPOC; the organization became 100% youth-led in 2023 under Executive Director Emmy Scott, with the Board chaired by Dumonde Slam Dunkley. No revenue, headcount, or audited financials are publicly disclosed.

Name

earth guardians

Legal name

Earth Guardians

Website

https://earthguardians.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Earth Guardians is a US 501c3 nonprofit that runs a global, youth-led climate justice network of Crews, mentorship, micro-grants, and speakers serving young activists ages 13-30 across 70+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Justice and Youth Environmental Activism

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Justice & Community Environmental Health (BPAGAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA), Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering (EDAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Youth climate activism
• Environmental justice advocacy
• Micro-grants funding
• Leadership training programs
• Community organizing services

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Earth Guardians relies solely on donations as a registered 501c3 organization (Tax ID/EIN: 84-1397083). Donations can be one-time or monthly recurring. Monthly donors become 'Monthly Legacy Donors' supporting programs year-round.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporations and businesses can become sponsors to support the mission. Mentioned sponsors include Sunski, Clove & Twine, Coachtopia (sub-brand of Coach), and Monos.
3. Partner Organization Collaborations: Collaborations with partner organizations on campaigns, co-building resources, and sharing opportunities expand reach and capacity without direct revenue generation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Earth Guardians runs a global youth-led climate justice nonprofit that provides educational resources, project guides, micro-grants ($300-$500), training, mentorship, and public speaking opportunities to youth aged 13-30 through a decentralized network of intergenerational Crews in 70+ countries. It operates a Speakers' Bureau sending youth speakers to schools and conferences, an Indigenous Youth Initiative (IYI) for native youth leadership, and Regional Crews Council mentors. The organization is funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

Earth Guardians is an intergenerational climate justice nonprofit organization offering a multi-program platform centered around youth-led environmental activism. The core offerings include: Crews (the main program - global youth-led chapters for climate action), the Regional Crews Council (mentorship and guidance), the Indigenous Youth Initiative (IYI - specialized training for Indigenous youth), and the Speakers' Bureau (youth speakers for events). Supporting programs include Project Grants ($300-$500 micro-grants for youth-led projects), Choose Action Now Project Guides (educational toolkits), Masterclasses and Training, Earth Voices (school-focused speakers program launched 2024), and the Earth Guardians Blog. The RYSE Youth Council drives youth leadership within the organization. Together, these programs provide a comprehensive ecosystem for empowering youth to lead climate justice initiatives worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crews The main program of Earth Guardians - global youth-led, intergenerational groups (chapters) of climate activists aged 13-30 who work locally to address climate and environmental degradation while influencing the global climate movement. Crews access EG programs, resources, global community, coalitions/partnerships, and direct mentorship.
• Regional Crews Council (RCC) A mentorship program that pairs Crews with a Regional Crews Counselor for ongoing and personalized mentorship throughout their activism journey. RCCs are youth leaders who grew up and live in the regions they serve.
• Indigenous Youth Initiative (IYI) A grassroots and spirit-led program that upholds and centers Indigenous knowledge and tradition by cultivating Native American Crews and providing leadership training focused on environmental justice and Indigenous rights. Open to Indigenous youth ages 18-30 in regional cohorts.
• Speakers' Bureau A program that amplifies the voices of inspiring youth speakers and storytellers at large-scale events, conferences, and schools/universities, inspiring audiences into urgent action on ecological issues and the climate crisis. Includes keynote speeches and hands-on workshops.
• Project Grants Micro-grant program offering $300-$500 grants (up to $1,000 for returning grantees) to support global youth change-makers, prioritizing Crews. Grants support climate justice education, regenerative agriculture, tree plantings, nonviolent direct action, climate policy, food security, and art-vism projects.
• Choose Action Now Project Guides Shareable project guides and toolkits crafted by youth leaders at Earth Guardians, providing roadmaps for impactful community projects including how-to insights, time estimates, and resources. Projects range from level 1 (easiest) to level 3 (most time-consuming) and cover topics including sustainable agriculture, ecosystem management, forest restoration, water preservation, wildlife protection, art-vism, storytelling, cultural restoration, civic engagement, and legal action.
• Earth Voices A Speakers' Bureau initiative launched in 2024 that sends professional youth public speakers to schools across seven major US cities to provide climate justice education through keynote speeches and hands-on workshops, assisting schools in starting EG Crews.
• Masterclasses and Training Virtual and in-person training programs that equip Crews with skills for creating, executing, and managing projects, hosted by Regional Crews Councilors. Includes Global Crews Calls and onboarding calls.
• Earth Voice: Inspiring Shift (EVIS) A Speakers Bureau-powered fundraising initiative aimed at expanding the connection between middle and high school students in underserved communities and the climate justice movement, with a goal of visiting 28+ public schools nationwide.
• RYSE Youth Council Youth leadership council established in 2015 that helps implement the vision of youth leadership within the organization and evolved Earth Guardians from a US-based nonprofit to an international NGO.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1M+ people directly impacted through 80 projects across 30 African countries
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• One Percent for the PlanetcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental alliance where member companies donate 1% of sales to environmental nonprofits. Earth Guardians is listed as an approved environmental recipient.
• Our Children's TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal organization providing guidance for climate-focused legal actions. Earth Guardians mobilizes its global community to take action and stand in solidarity with youth plaintiffs across the country and the world, including Juliana v. United States lawsuit.
• Purpose EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization aligned with environmental and social justice missions.
• GeoFamilyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting Earth Guardians' global initiatives.
• SunskiminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEyewear brand that has partnered with Earth Guardians as a corporate sponsor. Sunski and Earth Guardians share values around environmental responsibility.
• Clove & TwineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand partner supporting Earth Guardians through corporate sponsorship.
• Global GivingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal online charitable giving platform. Earth Voice: Inspiring Shift project is powered through Global Giving.
• GoProminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology company partner supporting Earth Guardians' initiatives.
• AshokaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal partnership of social entrepreneurs. Earth Guardians listed as an Ashoka partner organization.
• Future CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of youth-led organizations and initiatives supporting Earth Guardians' mission.
• Stop EcocideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational campaign to make ecocide a crime at the ICC. Earth Guardians participates in this campaign.
• Stop the Money PipelineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition demanding financial institutions stop funding fossil fuels. Earth Guardians participates in this divestment campaign.
• This is Zero HourminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth-led climate organization. Earth Guardians partners with Zero Hour on climate initiatives.
• GARN (Global Alliance for Regenerative Nutrition)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance focused on regenerative food systems. Earth Guardians participates in food sovereignty and regenerative agriculture initiatives.
• Earth Rising FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting environmental and climate initiatives that Earth Guardians collaborates with.
• Care About ClimateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization focused on climate action that Earth Guardians partners with on various initiatives.
• Her Many VoicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization empowering women and marginalized voices in environmental spaces.
• MonosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrand that has partnered with Earth Guardians as a sponsor.
• International Indigenous Youth Council (IIYC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Revolutionize the Vote coalition (2020) along with Seeding Sovereignty, Seventh Generation Inc., March On, and Hip Hop Caucus. Coalition focused on encouraging BIPOC youth voting.
• Seeding SovereigntycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous-led collective part of Revolutionize the Vote coalition working to mobilize BIPOC youth.
• Hip Hop CaucuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolitical advocacy organization using hip-hop culture to engage young people. Partner in Revolutionize the Vote coalition.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Plant for the Planet: Plant for the Planet is a global youth-led reforestation organization. Earth Guardians' Global Crews Director Moudjiba Zakari previously volunteered there, and the organizations share the youth-led global tree-planting mission and Climate Justice Ambassador training model.
• Our Children's Trust: Our Children's Trust is Earth Guardians' core legal partner in the Juliana v. United States youth climate lawsuit. It runs the global youth-driven climate legal rights movement, sharing the youth plaintiffs model and intergenerational justice framing with EG.
• Zero Hour: Zero Hour is a youth-led climate justice organization that partners directly with Earth Guardians (listed as a partner). It mobilizes young people around climate policy, frontline community issues, and intersectional advocacy — overlapping mission, target demographic (Gen Z), and grassroots organizing model.
• Seeding Sovereignty: Seeding Sovereignty is an Indigenous-led collective that is a core partner in Earth Guardians' Revolutionize the Vote coalition. It overlaps with EG's Indigenous Youth Initiative on traditional knowledge, food sovereignty, and Indigenous-led environmental action.
• Fridays for Future: Fridays for Future is Greta Thunberg's global youth climate strike movement with national chapters worldwide. It overlaps Earth Guardians on the youth-led global climate mobilization model and intergenerational justice framing, though it focuses more on protest and policy than project implementation.
• Earth Uprising: Earth Uprising is a youth-led climate education and advocacy organization with chapters globally. It shares Earth Guardians' youth-network, school-engagement, and intergenerational leadership-development model within the same target demographic.
• Future Coalition: Future Coalition is a coalition of youth-led organizations that explicitly lists Earth Guardians as a member. It coordinates collective action among BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and youth-led groups, sharing the intersectional youth activism mission and target audience.
• Sunrise Movement: Sunrise is a youth-led political movement organizing young people to elect progressive candidates and push Green New Deal legislation. It shares Earth Guardians' youth-driven climate organizing DNA and similarly engages BIPOC and marginalized youth in climate action.

Broad incumbents

• Greenpeace: Greenpeace is a major global environmental advocacy organization. It overlaps with Earth Guardians on climate justice, youth mobilization, and direct-action campaigns, but at vastly greater scale and with a more confrontational brand identity.
• 350.org: 350.org is a major global climate movement organization coordinating grassroots climate campaigns. It overlaps with Earth Guardians on Stop the Money Pipeline coalition participation and broader climate activism infrastructure, though at a much larger scale and more policy-focused orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@earthguardiankids
• Instagraminstagram.com/earthguardians
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/earth-guardians

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about earth guardians