10.19.2009 -  Foundation is first to be certified by GreenNonprofits.org and will be featured in national book

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (October 19, 2009) – The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties was named the first nonprofit to be certified by GreenNonprofits.org, the new gold standard for nonprofits seeking to “go green” while making a difference. The work of the foundation will be featured in the Nonprofit Guide To Going Green: The GreenNonprofits Handbook, to be released by John Wiley & Sons Publishing on December 14, 2009.

Established by a team of leaders in the field of nonprofits, GreenNonprofits is the global leader in promoting, educating and certifying charities wishing to become more green.

“The GreenNonprofits Board was impressed by the work the Community Foundation has done to advance the environmental sustainability of their operations and applauds their leadership in this burgeoning movement,” expressed Ted Hart, Founder and CEO of GreenNonprofits.org. “The GreenNonprofits organization is pleased to recognize this important milestone which will serve as an excellent example for the many charities currently working toward certification and as a call to action for those considering their path toward becoming more green.”   

Two years ago, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties began actively improving the environmental sustainability of its own operations and considering how it could encourage nonprofits in Palm Beach and Martin Counties to do the same. “Nonprofits are natural laboratories for modeling new approaches to existing problems, including environmental problems like climate change,” said Leslie Lilly, President and CEO of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. 

With the support of its Environmental Endowment Fund, the Community Foundation launched the Nonprofits Going Green contest and offered online tips and in person workshops to nonprofits in Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The high levels of interest and participation by nonprofits of all types and sizes encouraged the Foundation to further advance its support and encouragement to nonprofits going green. Over 92% of nonprofits who applied to the Nonprofits Going Green Contest indicated an interest in being certified as a green nonprofit, but articulated a need for technical support. As a result, the Community Foundation first piloted the GreenNonprofits.org certification program with its own operations. This fall, the Community Foundation will support an additional 20 nonprofits from Palm Beach and Martin Counties in going through the certification process.

As the International Day of Climate Action approaches, the Community Foundation and Green Nonprofits reflect that nonprofits can play a critical role in improving our environment.

 “The GreenNonprofits certification program offers nonprofits a cost effective, yet comprehensive approach to meeting their environmental goals, while saving money and building public awareness and confidence in their organization,” says Jane Gilbert, sustainability consultant to the Community Foundation’s Nonprofits Going Green initiative. “Energy retrofits and recycling saved the Community Foundation $3,300 last year alone. Reductions in paper and printing costs, along with further energy conservation measures are estimated to save the Foundation $5,000 in 2009 and more in 2010. Of course, the road to environmental sustainability is a continuous one that requires on-going revision of policies, practices and, at times, adopting new technologies. The goal with this certification process is to put the mechanisms in place that encourage a periodic environmental review of operations. We’re all relearning how we live and work, and nonprofits can help lead the way.”

To learn more about the Nonprofits Going Green program, visit  http://www.yourcommunityfoundation.org/green or contact Daryl Houston, Program Officer at the Community Foundation at (561) 659-6800 or email dhouston@cfpbmc.org
. For more information about the Community Foundation’s environmental initiatives, please visit www.yourcommunityfoundation.org/environment.

About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties improves communities through the power of giving. Since 1972, The Community Foundation has granted over $78 million to nonprofit organizations $5.1 million in scholarships to over 1,300 students in the community. The Foundation accepts contributions in support of community initiatives, special projects and permanent endowment. Income from endowment is used to make grants and award scholarships primarily in Palm Beach and Martin counties. To learn more, please visit www.yourcommunityfoundation.org.

About Green Nonprofits
 GreenNonprofits.org is the premier resource for charities seeking practical and comprehensive information on how their organization can become more green in their day-to-day, event and long term activities. A 501 c (3) charitable organization headquartered in Washington DC, GreenNonprofits has developed the only standard for nonprofits to effectively green their operations, become more energy efficient and benefit from the cost savings that come from a greening economy. Through its certification program, website, newsletter and soon to be released Nonprofit Guide to Going Green handbook published by John Wiley & Sons, this organization seeks to energize the entire charitable sector toward a focus and commitment to the environment. Learn more about GreenNonprofits at http://www.greennonprofits.org