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Groundwire 

Description

Groundwire provides civic engagement strategy and builds online technology tools to help environmental organizations connect with, inspire and mobilize their communities. Our tools help groups build strong relationships with the people who move their missions forward. We build websites, databases and email & social media tools. We also provide the online communications strategy needed to help groups get the most out of these powerful tools.

Mission Statement
We give organizations the power to engage people in solving today's biggest social and environmental challenges.
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Groundwire
1402 3rd Ave Ste 1000 
Seattle 
WA
98101-2111 
(206) 286-1235 

Neal Myrick 
Executive Director 

Programs

Groundwire Programs

We work with organizations from all corners of the environmental and social change movement interested in building an engaged public, thriving communities and a healthy planet. Groundwire uses support from individuals and foundations to catalyze technology innovation. We adapt existing commercial and open-source software, weaving them together into whole new possibilities for engaging people.

Strategy Services
Groundwire provides online communications strategy to help groups use technology tools to build stronger and deeper relationships with the people who drive their missions forward. We talk with groups about their most important campaigns and who they need to reach for a successful outcome. Whatever the audience, we combine best practices of relationship management, content creation and campaign strategy to help them engage and expand their base.

Groundwire Labs
We're on a mission to get affordable and innovative online tools into the hands of organizations building a sustainable world. In this new media age, technology is game-changing and social change groups shouldn't have to settle for second best. We track the trends and filter the noise, write software ourselves, encourage others to write software that addresses the needs of nonprofits, and then hand it off to our consulting team to get these tools out to those who need them.

Technology Consulting
We help environmental and social change groups connect with millions of people interested in changing the world. We build websites that are easy for staff to update. Our databases track supporters by their level of involvement. We help groups reach out to people where they already are through social media and email tools. We provide design, implementation and training on all of the above, all in service to the environmental movement.

Recent Successes and Current Challenges

Since our founding in 1995 we've worked with hundreds of environmental organizations. We build tools to connect people online and on-the-ground. To bring about the scale of change needed for true impact, we need to connect a lot of people--to each other and to the planet.

Groundwire Labs
Labs is an engagement think-tank focused on the art and science of getting more people involved in the missions of great organizations. This program is a great investment for those with a passion for bringing innovative strategies and technologies to the social change sector.

Engagement Initiatives
In addition to our research and development efforts, we also put our strategy and technology to work on the ground in the form of initiatives. Our initiatives may focus on geographic regions (Pacific Northwest), issues (climate change) or specific demographic audiences (youth, people of faith). Through our initiatives we help individual groups or coalitions use our strategies and tools. We may test and validate tools or tactics. Then we publish what we learn and incorporate new insights into the next generation of strategies and tools.

Evaluation


Groundwire is the only agency of its kind and offers sophisticated consulting services and expertise to conservation groups in the region. The organization combines its passion for the environment with its expertise in online communications strategy and technology to connect more citizens to the environmental movement.

Proven Success
Founded 17 years ago, Groundwire has remained flexible and has adapted to the changing technology needs of nonprofit organizations, trying to stay ahead of what the next “trend” will be. They have proven their effectiveness at building the capacity of the organizations they work with and facilitating the formation of partnerships among them.

Collaboration
Their work helps to strengthen the capacity of many environmental organizations throughout the region. The projects they do are not one-time purchases or implementations. They are long-term investments and partnerships that result in a continuous feedback loop, allowing them to improve the technology and strategy available to the environmental community.

Sustainability
Groundwire Consulting was incorporated in 2011 as a for-profit arm of Groundwire completely owned by the nonprofit. This allows the new Groundwire Consulting to be able to work with for profit and government organizations at market rates, in addition to the nonprofit work they currently do. Consulting contracts will be moved to Groundwire Consulting, while the nonprofit arm will remain focused on engagement initiatives. The goal is that this work will both expand their reach and potentially subsidize their work with non profits.

Grant History with The Seattle Foundation:

Grants Awarded through The Seattle Foundation Grantmaking Program:

DateAmountPurpose
3/10/2012 $15,000.00support general operating expenses.
3/10/2011 $17,500.00support general operating expenses.
9/10/2009 $25,000.00support general operating expenses.
10/18/2007 $35,000.00support general operating expenses.
9/22/2005 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.
3/20/2003 $10,000.00support general operating expenses.

Financials

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