ESC Board April 2008

The Environmental Support Center was created by leaders from the environmental activist, environmental justice and environmental funding communities. Our mission is to help grassroots environmental groups sustain their advocacy over time.

We believe that the key to long-term and lasting change is building robust, locally based organizations with strong organizational capabilities and leadership skills. 

Our programs have helped over 2,500 organizations from every part of the country.  Hundreds of these groups have received our support several times, particularly though Training and Organizational Assistance (TOA), our flagship program.

Each year we help over 200 environmental groups, from small, all-volunteer, single-issue groups to large, fully staffed organizations.  We've provided these groups low-interest loans, money to pay for training and consulting, and technology assessments and equipment.

We also help groups connect with consultants and training for capacity-building activities, such as financial management, strategic planning, fundraising training, board development and organizer training.

Our support of these organizations is driven by our commitment to work with groups over the long-term, support leadership development, encourage flexibility in our own organization and the groups with which we work, enhance the advocacy capacity of local groups and include, encourage and celebrate diversity in the environmental community.

With that in mind our board of directors is a diverse group of environmental advocates and capacity-building experts from around the country.

Our staff is comprised of people with a significant background in grassroots advocacy, organizational development and the environmental movement.

The Environmental Support Center is a nonprofit organization.  Our funding comes from charitable contributions from foundations and generous individuals.  For more information, see our most recent Annual Report.

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