Monitor provision and technical support
We help communities deploy and maintain open air quality monitors where little or no public data exists.
Open Air Foundation
Turning Air Quality DataInto Community Action
Air pollution is one of the world's largest health threats, but the communities most affected often have the least access to local air quality data. We help close that evidence gap.
What We Do
We close the gap between access to trusted air quality data and community action.
We pair monitors with technical support, training, communications support, and funding so communities can move from measurement to public action.
Proof in Practice: Lagos, NigeriaSee What We Do
One monitor helped make the case for cleaner technology.
In a Lagos fish-smoking community, local monitoring helped make invisible exposure visible. The data supported a clearer case for changing how smoke exposure was being managed.
The Lagos Environmental Protection Agency later installed smokeless eco-kilns, showing how local evidence can help connect community concern with practical intervention.
For us to be able to inform governments, we need data, and luckily we got the data from AirGradient, which we used in piloting the study.
Okwong Walter
Capacity building
We train partners to interpret, visualize, and communicate air quality data.
Awareness and advocacy support
We support education, campaigns, and community activation that turn evidence into public action.
Why This Matters
Air pollution is local. Too often, the data is missing.
Communities cannot protect themselves, educate residents, or advocate for cleaner air without trusted local evidence.
The gap
Local evidence is still missing where communities need it most.
- The communities most exposed to air pollution are often the communities least able to measure it.
- Without local data, pollution remains invisible to residents, schools, health workers, and decision-makers.
- Public monitoring makes exposure visible and gives communities a practical basis for education, protection, and advocacy.
The path forward
Monitors do not just measure pollution. They help communities move through a repeatable path from evidence to change.
- Monitors generate trusted local evidence.
- Communities share this evidence publicly.
- Communication creates awareness.
- Awareness drives positive change.
Air Quality Map
Explore public monitoring data.
Below map shows AirGradient and other public monitors, making real-time air quality data visible across many communities and regions. It's easy to see the unequal global distribution of data.
Projects
Community Projects We've Supported.
Our work with communities is focused on sustainable impact. After our projects, communities can maintain their monitoring networks and teach others how to do the same, expanding knowledge and skills in a cyclical way.
Visitor Paths
Choose the path that fits your role.
The Open Air Foundation awards grants for monitors and financial resources kick-starting with an initial donation by AirGradient. At the same time, we are looking for external funding to scale our projects and make our impact go further.
What We Do
Understand the foundation scope, theory of change, and why the model can scale.
Read the modelGet Funded
Learn what support can include and how community groups can register interest.
Get supportDonate
Support the training, deployment, maintenance, communication, and advocacy work that makes monitoring useful.
Contact donor relationsRelationship with AirGradient
Before the Open Air Foundation was established, AirGradient supported community air quality projects in a nonprofit capacity for six years. The foundation is now the dedicated home for this work, separate from AirGradient, while carrying forward the same experience, community relationships, and values.
AirGradient has committed 5,000 air quality sensors to the Open Air Foundation at no cost. This means community partners do not need to buy hardware, and foundation funding can go toward deployment, maintenance, training, communication, advocacy, and community activation.
Help turn air quality data into action.
The Open Air Foundation awards grants to communities using its own hardware and financial resources. At the same time, we seek external funding to scale projects and make our impact go further.