About
Groundwork USA is a national network of community-centered nonprofits that transforms brownfields, vacant lots, and other neglected land into parks, greenways, trails, and gardens - "changing places, changing lives, changing systems." Headquartered in Yonkers, New York, the 501(c)(3) organization (EIN 81-0554362) supports 19 local Groundwork Affiliates (Groundwork Trusts) in cities across the United States, pairing environmental restoration with youth development and economic opportunity in communities that have historically been left behind.
Mission
Groundwork USA's mission is the sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that advance environmental, economic, and social well-being. Its guiding belief: "Everyone deserves a green, healthy, and resilient neighborhood environment."
What they do
- Climate preparedness and land restoration, helping communities adapt to climate impacts.
- Urban forestry and open space improvement, converting derelict land into parks, gardens, and trails.
- Youth and workforce development, cultivating a new generation of environmental leaders.
- Brownfields technical assistance and land use innovation for equitable redevelopment.
- The Urban Waters Learning Network, supporting river and waterway restoration.
History and network
Board member Douglas Evans initiated the development of the Groundwork Program in 1995, leading to the network's launch in the late 1990s through collaboration with the EPA and local communities. The network now includes 19 Groundwork Affiliates, from Groundwork Bridgeport, CT (1998) and Groundwork Lawrence, MA (1999) to Groundwork Erie, PA (2021), spanning cities such as Denver, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Richmond (VA and CA), San Diego, and the Hudson Valley. While the affiliates share a vision and strategy, each is autonomous and aligns its projects with its own community's needs. Federal partners include the National Park Service (youth programming and outdoor access), the EPA (Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NASA.
Scale and impact
Groundwork USA reports the following cumulative performance of Groundwork Affiliates from 2000 to 2025:
- 1,260 acres of brownfield and derelict lands reclaimed or improved
- 15,243 acres of open space and parkland improved
- 12,184,489 feet of river habitat cleaned, restored, or conserved
- 162,406 youth actively engaged
- 2,036,733 community volunteer hours channeled
- 6,651 jobs created
- $290,254,458 in public, private, and in-kind resources leveraged
A Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded evaluation (2017-2018) of green space projects in five Groundwork communities found equitable access (an average 12.8-minute walk to Groundwork green spaces) and strengthened social ties, with 75 percent of surveyed residents agreeing the projects helped community members interact more.
Financials
According to ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Groundwork USA reported total revenue of $5,746,867 and total expenses of $6,204,122 for fiscal year 2024, with net assets of $9,491,368. Contributions comprised 91.4 percent of revenue. The organization has been tax-exempt since October 2003.
Governance
Groundwork USA is led by CEO Heather McMann, who joined the network in 2005 and previously served as Executive Director of Groundwork Lawrence. The board includes President Sarah Calderon, Treasurer Donald Pomeroy, and Secretary Deborah Kobes. The national office, with a staff of more than 22, is located at 22 Main Street, Yonkers, NY 10701.