Groundswell (organization)

Groundswell

Type	non-profit
Founded	2009
Founder	Will Byrne
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Website	www.groundswell.org

Groundswell is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that uses collective buying power to drive positive social change. Groundswell was founded by Will Byrne and a group of friends who had previously worked together on the Barack Obama presidential campaign.^[1] As of July 2014, Groundswell has helped over 3000 people and 300 organizations switch to 100 percent wind-powered energy.

History

Groundswell was founded in 2009 by Will Byrne and a group of friends who had previously worked on the 2008 Barack Obama Presidential Campaign. The organization operated under two previous names, The DC Project and Weatherize DC, before becoming Groundswell.^[2] Groundswell chose Washington, D.C. because it is one of 16 places in the United States where residents are allowed to choose their energy suppliers.^[3]

Organization Model

Groundswell uses the civic consumption model to assist people in using their combined consumer power to drive positive social change. Civic consumption is a consumption model that leverages shared buying power and rewards socially responsible businesses. According to the model, large institutions like corporations and universities, which own a network of properties are able to negotiate more competitive energy rates. Their sheer size gives them a competitive advantage because energy companies want to retain their business. Creating networks which leverage shared buying power operate under this same principal.^[4] In 2012, Groundswell created the Civic Consumption Network. The Network comprises organizations using a similar business model, including EveryoneOn, First Book, and the Freelancers Union ^[5] Most recently, Groundswell created an internal innovation hub to test ways that the model could be used to address social issues in addition to clean energy, such as hunger, sexism, unemployment, climate change, and income inequality.^[6] Following a Lean Startup model, the social innovation hub is testing these ideas with minimum viable products.

Clean Energy

Will Byrne in April 2014

Groundswell works across the mid-Atlantic U.S. in windpower and energy efficiency The organization has completed over $10 million in clean energy projects and generated over $1.5 million in community reinvestment. The organizations works with other non-profit organizations to make clean energy accessible to low-income communities and organizations within these communities.^[7] Groundswell worked with NAACP’s Baltimore headquarters to switch the organization to 100 percent wind power. Additionally, the organization saved $7000 on its annual energy bill after the switch.^[8]

Magazine

The Groundswell magazine brings readers news and lifestyle tips about sustainable living trends, social responsible businesses, renewable energy practices and other social innovations that align with the organization’s mission.^[9]

See also

• Social Enterprise
• Civic consumption

References

External links

www.groundswell.org