Process Overview
How Groundtrust Works
A transparent, trust-centered process from first connection to lasting conservation outcomes.
A steward lists their project
Indigenous communities and land-based organizations create a project profile on their own terms. They control what they share — from high-level conservation goals to detailed ecological context. No grant-writing infrastructure required. No minimum project size. No 501(c)(3) needed.
- Free to list — always
- Full control over your data
- Guided process, not a form
- Support for multiple languages planned
A land trust partner verifies the project
A vetted, accredited land trust reviews the project's boundaries, legal standing, and conservation value. Groundtrust supplements this with satellite-based monitoring data. This step provides funders with confidence — without extracting authority from the community doing the work.
- Land trusts confirm, not control
- Satellite + community verification combined
- No bottlenecks or approval delays
- Dispute resolution process available
Funders discover aligned projects
Conservation funders browse a curated feed of verified stewardship projects. Filter by region, ecosystem type, funding need, Indigenous nation, or community size. Project profiles are designed to build understanding, not just make a pitch.
- Advanced multi-factor filtering
- Full impact transparency reports
- No cold-pitch dynamic
- Portfolio analytics for funders
Groundtrust facilitates the introduction
When a funder expresses interest, Groundtrust coordinates a warm introduction on the steward's terms. Stewards choose whether to engage, how much to share, and when. The relationship develops at a pace the community sets — not the funder's timeline.
- Steward-controlled pacing
- Structured conversation guides
- Cultural protocol support
- No unsolicited contact allowed
Funding flows, stewardship continues
Groundtrust streamlines grant administration, donor reporting, and impact documentation — cutting the administrative burden on stewardship teams. The land trust maintains long-term oversight to ensure conservation outcomes are honored.
- Streamlined grant reporting
- Real-time impact dashboards
- Long-term accountability built in
- Community-controlled impact metrics
Guiding Principles
Every decision we make traces back to these commitments.
Sovereignty First
Indigenous communities determine what they share, with whom, and when. Groundtrust never extracts data or pressures stewards into disclosure.
Verified, Not Gatekept
Verification ensures credibility without creating bottlenecks. Land trusts serve as witnesses and partners — not approvers who can block projects.
Relationships Over Transactions
Funding is a byproduct of trust. Groundtrust optimizes for long-term alignment and relationship-building, not the speed of grant disbursement.
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