Grants to Green for Non Profits

Grants to Green is a partnership that helps nonprofits in the metro Atlanta region green their organizations. With support from the Kendeda Fund, the partnership includes Southface and The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, a respected grantmaker and community leader. Since September 2008, a total of 57 nonprofits have received assessment awards, while 24 have received implementation grants, valued at approximately $690,000.

Assessment Awards

Through the Grants to Green Program, Southface provides the following:

• Energy & Water Use Assessments accompanied by recommendations for improvements to an existing building;
• A Green Building Design Review for new construction; and
• Organizational sustainability services such as Carbon Footprint Analyses, Green Procurement Analyses, and Sustainability Charrettes.

Implementation Awards

The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta offers grants to nonprofits for up to $50,000, with a required financial match. These grants can be used to support capital costs associated with the renovation of existing structures or new green construction.

Results

Southface’s assessments identified a total of $503,520 in annual energy savings opportunities for the participating Atlanta-area nonprofits. By implementing the building upgrades recommended by Southface, 16 nonprofits have to-date saved $84,152 in energy costs which represents 24 percent of their original energy use, or the annual equivalent of removing 1,035 cars from the road. These savings will continue year after year, and will grow as additional nonprofits complete their assessment and implementation processes. Grants to Green has the potential to transform Atlanta’s nonprofit community by encouraging all members to build “green” and save money. Grants to Green also creates green jobs for local companies and builds community wealth by reducing the flow of energy dollars from the region.