Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) is a public charity based in Berkeley, California. It supports grassroots movements and community-led work on waste and pollution, including zero-waste solutions, research, advocacy, and capacity building.
Key facts about Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
In short: Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives gave $977K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $65K), top state California. 80% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 45-3543427
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $976,500
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- Average grant
- $65,100
- Median grant
- $67,200
- New grantees (estimate)
- 80% first-time grantees (12 of 15, 2025)
- Total assets
- $5,426,804
- Primary geography
- California (21% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$5.4M
+8.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$977K
+91.1% YoY
Grant Count
15
+114.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$65K
-10.8% YoY
Is Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives open to new grantees?
80%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 15 grantees (80%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $64K; repeat grants $70K. How we count
Medians: $68K first-time, $67K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
GAIA’s stated mission is to strengthen grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution, working toward a just, zero-waste world where people are free from toxic pollution. Its website describes support for community-led organizing, communications and research, movement building, and capacity building. Its focus areas include challenging incineration and other harmful waste practices and promoting zero-waste approaches.
GAIA’s 2023 filing describes work on plastics, climate and methane, batteries, and international waste policy, alongside support for members’ local efforts. It also describes Break Free From Plastic as a fiscally sponsored project of GAIA.
The 2025 grants include organizations with varied missions. For example, South Baltimore Community Land Trust says its mission is to create development without displacement and a just transition to zero waste. Environmental Integrity Project describes its work as research and public education on environmental protection and natural-resource preservation. GreenLatinos says it convenes Latino leaders addressing conservation and natural-resource issues affecting Latino communities in the United States. Californians Against Waste Foundation describes its mission as researching, developing, and promoting waste-reduction policies and programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, GAIA reported 15 grants totaling $976,500. Grant amounts ranged from $20,000 to $145,000, with a median of $67,200.
Among its largest reported grants were $145,000 to South Baltimore Community Land Trust, $105,000 to Environmental Integrity Project, $81,200 to EYCEJ, and $75,000 each to BLARG and GreenLatinos. Other reported grants included $72,800 to Breathe Free Detroit and $72,800 to MNEJT, and $67,200 to Ironbound Community Corporation. Grant purposes included research, education, support, and organizing.
GAIA also announced a separate 2025 U.S. Methane Reduction and Environmental Justice Regrant Program investment of $675,000 for 13 grassroots partners. Its website described support for community-led work such as composting, food-waste prevention and diversion, landfill pollution reduction and monitoring, and environmental-justice leadership. Separately, GAIA announced 2025 U.S. Environmental Justice Action Microfunds of $2,500 each for 16 grassroots groups, made possible through an investment from the Cloud Mountain Foundation.
The 2023 filing says the board approves proposed grants with guidance from program staff. GAIA establishes grant agreements based on program activities and the nature of the work. Grantees may need to provide nonprofit equivalency documents, interim and final reports, and information showing that funds were used for approved purposes. The filing describes monitoring through email, calls, and site visits.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GAIA describes its membership and programs as international. Its 2023 filing reported member organizations across 108 countries. Its 2025 grants were distributed among recipients in multiple U.S. states; the largest shares by recipient state were California (21%), Maryland (15%), Minnesota (14%), Washington, DC (11%), and Michigan (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $323K (2022) to $977K (2025). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $977K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was SBCLT ($145K). Together the top 10 received $819K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 33 grants of 43 (77%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SBCLT Baltimore, MD | Research, education & support | $145,000 |
| Environmental Integrity Prjct Washington, DC | Research, education & support | $105,000 |
| Eycej Commerce, CA | Research, education, and organizing | $81,200 |
| Blarg Port Washington, NY | Research, education & support | $75,000 |
| GreenLatinos Boulder, CO | Research, education & support | $75,000 |
| Breathe Free Detroit Detroit, MI | Research, education, and organizing | $72,800 |
| Mnejt Minneapolis, MN | Research, education, and organizing | $72,800 |
| Ironbound Community Corp Newark, NJ | Research, education, and organizing | $67,200 |
| Californians Against Waste Fd Sacramento, CA | Research, education, & support | $62,500 |
| Cure Montevideo, MN | Research, education & support | $62,500 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,426,804 | $8,241,301 | $8,360,518 | $976,500 (15 grants) |
| 2024 | $5,007,174 | $8,198,153 | $9,310,426 | $511,000 (7 grants) |
| 2023 | $5,927,293 | $7,968,355 | $6,534,023 | $609,972 (9 grants) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,426,804 | $5,007,174 | $5,927,293 |
| Revenue | $8,241,301 | $8,198,153 | $7,968,355 |
| Expenses | $8,360,518 | $9,310,426 | $6,534,023 |
| Net Investment Income | $28,596 | $34,193 | $12,818 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 4, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 4, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Christie Keith as Executive Director; Sue Chiang and Ana Baptista as Co-Presidents; and Burr Tyler as Secretary. It also lists Brieshen McKee as Finance and Business Director, Monica Wilson as Senior Director of Global Programs, Colleen Halley as Resource Mobilization Director, Chantey Andrews as People and Culture Director, Melissa Aguallo as Break Free From Plastic U.S. Coordinator, and Denaya Shorter as Senior Director of U.S. and Canada Programs.
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives is led by Christie Keith, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 7 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christie Keith
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$94K (2020) → $125K (2025)
Ana Baptista
Co-President
Director → Co-President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sue Chiang
Co-President
Secretary → Co-President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brieshen McKee
Finance & Bus. Director
Finance Director → Finance & Bus. Director, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$80K (2022) → $141K (2025)
Monica Wilson
Senior Director Global Prg
Se. Director Glob. Pr. → Senior Director Global Prg, 2025
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$122K (2024) → $130K (2025)
Chantey Andrews
People & Cult Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$121K (2025)
Colleen Halley
Resource Mob Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$141K (2025)
Denaya Shorter
Senior Director Us & Can Prg
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$132K (2025)
Nazir Khan
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Aguallo
Bffp Us Coordinator
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$118K (2024) → $123K (2025)
Jack Macy
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Burr Tyler
Secretary
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Mahyar Sorour (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Gabriel (2020–2024) — Co-President
- Former: Elizabeth Crowe (2020) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $141K, to Colleen Halley (Resource Mob Dir). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 1958 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 883-9490
Website: https://no-burn.org
Frequently asked questions about Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
How much does Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives give each year?
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives gave $977K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $511K across 7 grants.
What is Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's typical grant size?
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's median grant in 2025 was $67,200, and its average grant was $65,100, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives that year got $64K on average.
Where does Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives give grants?
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's top state is California, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Maryland (15%) and Minnesota (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Detroit, MI (2 grants).
Does Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Research, education & support" (11 grants) and "Research, education, and organizing" (4 grants).
Who are Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's largest grantees?
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's largest 2025 grantees include SBCLT ($145,000), Environmental Integrity Prjct ($105,000) and Eycej ($81,200), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives?
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives reported $5.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $8.2M.
What does Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives fund?
GAIA’s stated mission is to strengthen grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution, working toward a just, zero-waste world where people are free from toxic pollution. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives?
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check no-burn.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's EIN?
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-3543427. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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