GMI was founded by the staff of the Northeast Center for Comparative Risk (NCCR) in 1996. NCCR grew out of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Comparative Risk Assessment process in 1991. Jonathan Lash, then of Vermont Law School, formed the Center with the support of U.S. EPA's Regional and State Planning Division.

The new name, new location, and new mission reflected the growth in our work in the first five years, and that growth continues to this day. GMI staff wanted to explore using more tools with more audiences to achieve the aims of comparative risk: connect scientific information with the values of citizens to improve environmental decision-making.

Since 1996, we have done just that. We have expanded our toolbox to include environmental indicators, performance measurement systems, community environmental health assessment, collaborative road mapping, and other information-based tools. We have developed new programs in the fields of watersheds, community-based environmental protection, and civic innovation.

GMI has worked with many states and communities to develop and expand their range of community planning and management tools and processes. For a more complete description of the services we offer, please refer to our Services page.

GMI is recognized as a nonprofit organization by the Internal Revenue Service under section 501(c)(3). GMI receives financial support from U.S. EPA and other governmental, nongovernmental, and private sources.