Groundwork USA formed in 2002 and employs a network of affiliates that operate in 17 states including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 23
Activities
Groundwork USA funds community development of rain gardens, flood management systems, green spaces, and other environmental management projects in neighborhoods affected by these issues. 4
Groundwork USA runs youth programs in urban communities that provide environmental education, job training, and leadership development. Its programs involve local projects such as conservation work, community improvement, and citizen science activities, while also helping participants build skills and connections for future education and employment opportunities. 5
Groundwork USA operates a nonprofit assistance program that helps communities redevelop brownfield sites through environmental assessment support, community engagement planning, partnership building, and funding guidance. Brownfield sites are properties contaminated with hazardous material with limited redevelopment options. 6 The program also assists groups in planning land reuse projects and coordinating with regulatory agencies and local stakeholders. 7
Leadership
Heather McMann is the chief executive officer of Groundwork USA. Previously, McMann served as the executive director of Groundwork Lawrence, Massachusettes and was a senior fellow at the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. 8
Xavier Atizol is the director of operations at Groundwork USA. Atizol previously worked at the National Italian American Foundation and MassChallenge. 9
Maria Brodine is the director of network support and learning at Groundwork USA. Brodine is a former National Science Foundation research fellow. 10
The Bezos Earth Fund announced a $6 million grant to Groundwork USA for restoration of degraded landscapes, including the implementation of urban forestry and the ramp-up of restoration in twenty U.S. Sites and supporting nonprofits and small and midsize enterprises working to restore land in Africa.
To increase the organizational and programmatic capacity of local Groundwork Trusts and the Groundwork USA network and advance their innovation and impact in the areas of climate resilience, advancing health through greenspace action, equitable revitalization and youth development.
To support Groundwork USA to advance equity-focused climate-resilience strategies in urban, low-income communities disproportionately impacted by extreme heat and urban flooding.
To provide resources that will help local Groundwork organizations maintain staff and meet special expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic and preserve capacity to continue their work to improve health, resiliency and equity in their communities over the longer term.
To support three Groundwork trusts in the Climate Safe Neighborhoods partnership to elevate community climate priorities and advocate for systemic policy changes through resident engagement and collaboration with local government.
