Earth Guardians Company Profile

Background

Earth Guardians is an intergenerational nonprofit organization dedicated to training and empowering youth to become effective leaders in environmental, climate, and social justice movements worldwide. Established in 1992, the organization leverages art, music, storytelling, civic engagement, and legal action to address pressing global issues. With a presence on six continents, Earth Guardians has cultivated a global network of youth leaders committed to fostering sustainable and just communities.

Key Strategic Focus

Earth Guardians' strategic priorities include:

Youth Agency: Empowering young individuals to lead initiatives addressing environmental and social challenges.

Community Building: Fostering intergenerational and cross-cultural collaborations to strengthen community resilience.

Nonviolent Direct Action: Utilizing peaceful methods to advocate for systemic change and environmental justice.

The organization emphasizes intersectionality, equity, and representation, ensuring that youth from frontline communities—those most impacted by climate change—are leading the movement. 88% of the staff identify as BIPOC, 66% are under 30, and 50% are women.

Financials and Funding

Earth Guardians operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. In 2023, the organization reported total revenues of $410,445 and total expenses of $300,001, resulting in net assets of $246,630. The organization has received grants from various foundations, including a $25,000 unrestricted grant from the Geofamily Foundation and a $15,000 general support grant from GGF Global Greengrants.

Pipeline Development

Earth Guardians' key programs include:

Crews Program: A global network of youth-led, intergenerational groups implementing grassroots initiatives in reforestation, regenerative agriculture, waste reduction, water protection, and climate policy advocacy.

Project Grants for Youth-Led Initiatives: Providing financial and technical support to youth-led climate action projects, fostering innovative and scalable solutions.

Indigenous Youth Leadership Initiative (IYI): Training Indigenous youth in leadership, environmental and climate justice organizing and advocacy, and traditional ecological knowledge, supporting sovereignty, cultural resilience, and environmental protection efforts.

Youth Leadership Training & Earth Guardians Academy: Equipping young leaders with climate science education, policy advocacy skills, and grassroots organizing strategies to lead the climate movement effectively.

Speakers Bureau & Earth Voices Program: Amplifying the voices of young climate leaders through public speaking engagements, media storytelling, and climate education workshops at schools, universities, and global forums.

Large-Scale Climate Solutions & Conservation Projects: Implementing reforestation, soil restoration, and agroecology initiatives in climate-vulnerable regions, including:

Sierra Leone: 100,000 mangroves planted in 2024, 500 beehives installed, training in sustainable beekeeping and aquaculture.

Togo: 14,000 trees planted, 200 farmers trained in agroecology, and soil regeneration efforts expanded.

Cameroon: Reforested 5,000 trees, trained 1,000 leaders, and educated over 1,000 youth and women.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Earth Guardians utilizes various technological platforms to support its initiatives, including web analytics tools, widgets, e-commerce platforms, online video platforms, and web fonts. The organization also developed the "EarthTracks" app, designed to engage youth in environmental education and action.

Leadership Team

Earth Guardians is led by a diverse team of young change-makers, environmental activists, and community leaders. Key personnel include:

Emmy Scott: Executive Director

Morgan Scott: Operations Director

Anpa'O Locke: Communications Director

Marian Mejia: Global Crew Director

Leadership Changes

In 2023, Earth Guardians underwent a significant transformation, becoming truly intergenerational with youth at the helm and in leadership roles at every level of the organization.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The environmental nonprofit sector is characterized by a diverse range of organizations focusing on conservation, climate advocacy, and environmental justice. The market is experiencing growth due to increasing global awareness of climate change and environmental degradation.

Competitor Analysis

Key competitors include:

Tree Musketeers: A nonprofit organization focusing on youth-led environmental initiatives, with an estimated revenue of $1.2 million and nine employees.

SustainUS: An organization dedicated to empowering young people to advance sustainable development, with an estimated revenue of $2.8 million and 20 employees.

Clean Wisconsin: An environmental advocacy group focusing on clean air and water initiatives, with an estimated revenue of $2.1 million and 31 employees.

David Suzuki Foundation: A Canadian environmental organization dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural environment, with an estimated revenue of $3.2 million.