The Niles Foundation

The Niles Foundation helps stimulate economic growth through environmental sustainability. The organization was founded in 2019 by Shante Walker in memory of her grandfather, the barrier-breaking musician and Calypso dancer King Charles Mac Niles. While also a musician, Walker found her true calling in giving back to the community and building equity. It’s toward that aim that The Niles Foundation has worked to bring green projects to historically marginalized communities, connecting people in affordable housing to resources to transition their homes to solar energy, and to access jobs in the solar industry. The Niles Foundation also helps communities build community gardens, farms, and trains youth in urban agriculture. These projects, concentrated in food deserts, help decrease food insecurity in historically disadvantaged communities. Through their work, the Niles Foundation aims to build equity for all, empowering, and supporting people on the journey to a greener, fairer future.

The Niles Foundation is a BIPOC-led organization with one full-time staff (founder and CEO Shante Walker) supported by a three-person board and community volunteers. Working in L.A., where residents have access to less than half the public park space than other dense U.S. cities, with most parks concentrated in wealthier neighborhoods, issues of green space, shade, and access to healthy food are extremely urgent. The Niles Foundation is addressing these problems head-on. Their Yard 2 Farm program transforms idle spaces in underserved South L.A. into gardens, farms and outdoor green spaces. Their Halo Food Project is an innovative, all-electric grocery store providing organic and healthy foods across L.A.The Foundation also helps residents through California’s Solar On Multifamily Affordable Housing (SOMAH) program, which delivers clean power and credits on energy bills, and also includes career opportunities. Combined with plans to implement public electric vehicle transportation in underserved communities, The Niles Foundation is working hard to make sure that historically marginalized communities are not left behind in the green transition.

For more information:

Impact Spotlight: Shante Walker and The Niles Foundation – Angel City, April 2024

Angel City FC Beautifies Niles Foundation Pocket Park – L.A. Sentinal, February 2024