Sustainability for Nonprofits

PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE

Environment 2011

SUSTAINABILITY FOR NON PROFITS A Kickstart guide and green checklist for the nonprofit community to increase sustainability in the workplace

Cover | “Fluorescent light bulb” symbol by The Noun Project collection Link>

TABLE OF CONTENTS This resource introduces the benefits of green design and operations, and provides insight on how to incorporate such practices into nonprofit facilities. What can you do on your own? And what can a design professional help you accomplish?

With a variety of strategies, funding opportunities and active examples, this guide shows how your organization can begin to maximize benefits of being “green.”

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part.1

WHY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

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part.2

WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN

19 part.3

WHAT A DESIGNER CAN HELP YOU DO

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RESOURCES

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YOUR CHECK LIST

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Part.1

WHY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

INTRODUCTION

Discussions about how to live and work more sustainably have become a part of our everyday lives, from the mainstream adoption of recycling to increased use of sustainable products (e.g., energy efficient light bulbs). In parallel, sustainable design has also become more commonplace through certification systems like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and use of environmental friendly building materials (e.g., non-toxic paints, solar panels, and low flow plumbing fixtures). But have the benefits of living sustainably reached all levels of society?

Sustainable design is defined as the creation of accessible, secure, healthy, and productive spaces that also have minimal environmental impact. It is also a tool that can help your

organization to more effectively deliver its mission. Potential positive outcomes of sustainable design include cost savings and environmental benefits, such as increased energy efficiency. A less frequently discussed but significant benefit is the increased community stewardship that comes from a building that demonstrates to your community a more visible and tangible vision for living sustainably. There is a lot that can be achieved on your own, but bringing in a designer early in the process can help you think concretely about your facility’s growth over time and how to design for sustainability. By offering this guide to the nonprofit community, The 1% program of Public Architecture hopes to direct pro bono sustainable design services and green resources to those most in need. │ 5

BENEFITS TO THE ENVIRONMENT There is increasing evidence about how sustainable design can make a profound impact on our health, well being, and productivity. Examples of this impact can be seen in a variety of environments: 1. Sustainable design in healthcare environments can have therapeutic benefits. Patients have shorter hospital stays, require less pain medication, and have fewer minor postsurgical complications when their rooms have views of nature (Effects of Healthcare Environmental Design on Medical Outcomes, 2001).

2. Classrooms with more daylight resulted in 7-18% higher scores on end of year performance than classrooms with the least daylight (Heschong Mahone Group).

3. Green schools save on average 33% in energy expenditures than traditionally built schools. These are savings that can be used to pay for educational tools, such as computers and textbooks (Greening America’s Schools, 2006).

4. According to the EPA, levels of air pollutants indoors can be two to five (and in some cases up to one hundred) times higher than outdoor levels. Poor indoor air quality is strongly linked to asthma and 20 million estimated cases of absenteeism occur each year as a result of the disease (Asthma and Allergy Foundation).

These are just a few examples. Research on the benefits of green design is increasingly revealing the positive impact that sustainable design can bring to every type of environment.

See What a designer can help you do for more examples.

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WHY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

BENEFITS TO YOUR BOTTOM LINE

BENEFITS TO YOUR STAFF, CLIENTS & COMMUNITY

One of the major perceived barriers to green building is cost. Many parameters will affect the ultimate cost of a project, but multiple studies have shown that green buildings can cost the same if not less than conventional building construction.

Green design helps create a healthy, comfortable environment for staff to deliver services to your clients. Embracing sustainability in your facility allows your organization to take a leadership role in the greening of your community.

While green design can sometimes have a higher upfront financial investment when compared to traditional building, it is important to understand that a significant amount of the potential cost savings from sustainable building practices come from reductions in operating and energy costs of a building over time. (Such costs are also known as lifecycle costs.) In 2009, Greg Kats, a nationally recognized energy advocate, published a research report showing that the 2% cost increase that is typical to construct a green building can be offset with a 33% reduction in energy use.

The primary purpose of any building design is to provide conditions for human comfort. If you are planning a new building, working with a designer from the start of a building campaign can help you leverage sustainable strategies to ensure the comfort of your staff and clients. Some of the primary sustainable strategies include solar orientation and the use of efficient heating, lighting, and ventilation systems. Not limited to providing comfort, sustainable design strategies can reduce lifecycle costs and energy use. Something as simple as designing an office window to receive indirect sunlight can translate into happier staff and a better experience for your clients and visitors. Existing buildings can also be modified to provide healthier environments.

From low-tech solutions such as using non-toxic cleaning products to more intensive solutions such as retrofitting your heating and cooling equipment, changes can be made within existing contexts to achieve comfort goals.

The cost savings from being an occupant in a green building will allow your organization to put its resources towards providing more services, rather than gas bills, leading to a more effective delivery of your mission. A well-designed green building can be less expensive to maintain and operate, giving your organization increased control over maintenance expenditures. These factors help your building maintain its value while reducing the total greenhouse gas emissions caused by your organization, i.e. offsetting your carbon footprint.

Where can nonprofits find the funding to pay for green projects? Funding capital projects is often challenging, but increasingly there are funders who can help make sustainability upgrades or new green facilities more financially possible for nonprofit organizations. Look for funding opportunities that are specific to your nonprofit’s service area. Many of the most interesting programs and subsidies are local or regional, rather than national, in nature.

Healthy, sustainable spaces should be a right, not a privilege. The most disadvantaged citizens in our society are often those most in need of the healthy air, water, and daylight. Nonprofit organizations represent one of the key service providers of disadvantaged populations, and together, they can work towards improving the quality and health of their communities by incorporating sustainability into their mission and operations.

See What a designer can help you do and What you can do on your own.

Visit Resources for further information on sustainability cost estimating and financial incentives.

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LEGEND PICTURE, SAN FRANCISCO

Part.2

WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN

INTRODUCTION

Being green is a lifestyle. It’s not like going on a diet. Being green requires changing the way we live, from how we travel place to place to what we choose to buy. The first step of living sustainably starts on an individual level. Taken one small step at a time, everyone should evaluate their daily habits. By starting with small changes and working towards an ever-lighter footprint on the earth, you are doing your part in the global sustainability effort. Beyond individual efforts, belonging to a sustainable community brings together those who share this commitment. If you are like most nonprofit professionals, you chose your line of work because you believe in a cause.

Your colleagues may not only share the belief in the cause, but also green values. Sustainability in the workplace can align the personal and

professional values of staff, and can contribute to your organization’s capacity to serve its mission. An organization can make great strides towards achieving sustainability on their own. This section identifies areas where you can start realizing the economic and positive benefits of going green.

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I. ENCOURAGE INNOVATION IN YOUR EMPLOYEES AND CLIENTS 1.

Brainstorm on how to implement green strategies office-wide. .

2 Get stakeholders on board.

Talk to staff, clients, the board, and your funders about what is important to them. .

3 Form a green committee for direction & updates on your organization’s greening strategy.

5.

Subscribe the office to sustainably-minded design magazines, like GreenSource or Dwell, which often profile inspiring and innovative green building strategies.

6.

Become an advocate for sustainable planning in your region.

Attend community meetings to voice your support.

.

4 Make an office-wide commitment to environmentally sustainable products and services that mitigate negative impacts on human health and the environment. See Environmentally Preferable Purchasing in Resources.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN

II. SAVE ENERGY

1.

Swap incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents. .

2 Turn off and unplug unused electronics (printers, monitors, copiers). .

3 Activate the sleep settings on idle monitors and PCs. 4.

Keep thermostats below 68 degrees in winter and above 78 degrees in summer.

.

5 Take advantage of daylight to reduce energy consumption through decreased lighting loads and associated cooling costs.

6.

Provide task lighting to reduce the need for overhead lighting, thereby reducing electricity use.

7.

Fill gaps around doors and window frames with caulk, spray foam and insulative batting. .

8 Replace window and door weather-stripping that is missing, hard or cracked.

9.

Install door sweeps on exterior doors if daylight can be seen under the doorframe.

0.

1 Perform regular maintenance on heating, ventilation & air conditioning Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC).

11.

What more can be done to save energy? Have a designer conduct an energy audit to identify and provide solutions to improve other areas in your building.

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III. REDUCE OFFICE WASTE

1.

Familiarize yourself with the recycling, composting and trash policies in your county.

2.

Recycle paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, packing materials, and toner/ printer cartridges.

3.

Opt out of receiving bulky catalogs by mail. The average adult in the US receives almost 40 pounds a year.

4.

Assess your waste stream and save money on your garbage bill by downsizing the size of your curbside trashcan and upsizing your recycling can.

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5.

Replace personal trash bins with personal recycling bins (most office trash is paper) and centralize the trash bin in the office.

6.

Purchase paper products with 35% to 100% post-consumer recycled content.

7.

Conserve paper by printing and copying double-sided by default.

9.

Use electronic communications instead of paper memos.

10.

Go digital. Phase out costly printed event invitations, newsletters, and brochures.

11.

Use all these strategies to reduce office waste.

8.

Shrink two pages down to one page when printing draft documents.

WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN

IV. REUSE OFFICE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT

1.

Consider used office furnishings and equipment in your next upgrade; save near perfect cubicles or computers from the dump by inquiring with another company when they upgrade or go out of business.

4.

Check to see if donations may be eligible for valuable tax write-offs.

5.

Discontinue use of products that are hazardous to human health & the environment.

2.

Donate reusable furniture and office furnishings to another local nonprofit organization.

3.

Recycle or donate outdated computers, cell phones, televisions, and other electronic waste.

There are a variety of internet resources for finding places to recycle electronics. The National Center for Electronic Recycling allows you to search by zip code for nearby recycling locations.

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V. BUY EFFICIENT FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES, AND INVEST IN ECO-FRIENDLY FURNISHINGS 1.

Upgrade toilets to low flush models (saves about 1,200 gallons of water per year per toilet).

5.

Choose environmentally friendly, low maintenance and lowemitting interior furnishings.

2.

Install faucet aerators and highefficiency showerheads.

3.

Install programmable thermostats to ensure reductions during off hours.

4.

Replace old appliances and electronics with Energy Star appliances; Energy Star is a great resource for information on energy efficiency, and many useful self-assessment tools.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN

VI. ADOPT “GREEN” CLEANING POLICIES

1.

Use non-toxic cleaning supplies and “green” commercial cleaning services.

2.

Discontinue use of products that are hazardous to human health & the environment.

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VII. CREATE A GREEN TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY

1.

Encourage and reward staff to carpool or live near work.

5.

Sign your organization up with a rideshare company like Zipcar.

2.

Provide transit passes or other incentives to encourage use of public transportation.

3.

Use hybrid electric vehicles for company business.

4.

Provide bicycle parking; invest in a fleet office bicycles to use for offsite meetings.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN

VIII. FIND A DESIGNER

1.

Work with a designer to take your sustainable strategy to the next level.

2.

Join The 1% program of Public Architecture and use the matching service to find a firm who can provide pro bono green design services. www.theonepercent.org 3.

Use your organization’s network to find a designer on your own.

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Part.3

WHAT A DESIGNER CAN HELP YOU DO

INTRODUCTION

Designers can provide many levels of sustainability design services and consulting for projects of any size and type. Sustainable building strategies do not come in as a “one size fits all” solution and can be appropriately tailored to fit your needs and budget. Green design does not necessarily require new construction; it can also be achieved through the assessment and renovation of your existing facility.

The following section reviews some of the design strategies that designers typically use to achieve environmentally sustainable buildings.

These strategies are meant to provide guidance on the issues and ideas that you can work with your architect to address. To help facilitate your project’s design, timeline, and budget, it is important to start discussing sustainable design strategies early in the project’s development. │ 19

I. CONFIGURE YOUR FACILITY TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE

1.

If retrofitting an existing space, what physical alterations to the building structure and site can be made to reduce consumption (energy and water) and waste as well as improve operational efficiency of your space?

2.

For new building projects, placement of a building on a site is the first and perhaps most important step in sustainable design.

A well-situated building can reduce your maintenance and operating costs.

4.

Use landscape plantings that are adapted to your climate, such as natives, to reduce the need for irrigation and benefits the ecosystem.

5.

Consider using porous pavement, rain gardens, infiltration basins (bioswales), and vegetated surfaces to recharge groundwater, reduce, stormwater runoff, and mitigate the heat island effect.

3.

Create views – and if possible, access – to outdoor space that can provide opportunities for relaxation or respite. This can positively contribute to the productivity and comfort of staff and clients.

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WHAT A DESIGNER CAN HELP YOU DO

II. INCREASE ENERGY EFFICIENCY THROUGH BUILDING COMPONENTS

1.

For existing building projects, alteration of windows in size and material, and the addition of architectural devices such as sun shades can help maximize solar orientation of your building.

2.

South facing windows can help bring maximum daylight and solar heat into your space in the winter, reducing your reliance on – and potentially cost from – mechanical heating systems.

4.

Create opportunities for energy efficiency at a localized level.

Allow building users to regulate temperatures with natural ventilation through operable windows and shades. Natural ventilation can help reduce the reliance on mechanical cooling systems.

5.

Install high-R value insulation in the walls and ceilings to help control heat gain and loss. Properly seal all enclosures, such as windows.

3.

Light spaces with natural daylight using strategic placement of windows and skylight to reduce energy consumption.

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III. INSTALL MORE EFFICIENT MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT*

* Well chosen mechanical and electrical systems as well as alternative energy systems can contribute significantly to the reduction of an organization’s energy use.

1.

For retrofit projects, consider conducting an energy audit to identify the weaknesses in your building construction and HVAC systems (your designer can help you find a professional auditor and evaluate the results).

5.

Facilitate improved indoor air quality by installing proper filtration systems and adequate ventilation in bathrooms, allowing proper drainage of air-conditioning coils. Design other building systems to control humidity.

2.

Choose high efficiency HVAC equipment. Energy Star is one rating standard for indicating such equipment.

6.

Install occupancy and daylight sensors to turn lights on or off in appropriate conditions. Having lights on less often can reduce electricity use and the energy needed to cool the heat associated with lights.

3.

Install high efficiency appliances and lighting to reduce electrical loads.

4.

Properly size the air conditioning system to improve energy efficiency and reduce wear and tear that can emanate from “short cycling.”

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8.

Consider alternative energy systems such as photovoltaics, or solar panels. The installation costs may be high, but in many cases lifecycle costs can save money over time (some local utilities offer lease or purchase agreements that can help support the cost of such systems).

7.

Consider installing a floor air distribution system which can allow for a more efficient heating and cooling distribution system as well as more opportunities for individualized temperature control.

WHAT A DESIGNER CAN HELP YOU DO

IV. USE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUILDING MATERIALS & PRODUCTS* 1.

A designer can help identify materials and products that fit your organization’s values and budget by weighing their impact on resource and energy efficiency, indoor air quality, water conservation, and affordability. Find some of the most common sustainable material strategies below.

2.

Select durable and higher quality materials to extend the lifecycle of the building and reduce cost in the long term 3.

Consider building materials, finishes, and products by evaluating their sustainable properties, which could include reused and recycled-content; zero or low off-gassing of harmful air emissions; zero or low toxicity; regionally sourced; and sustainably harvested content.

4.

Search for reclaimed products, such as building materials, furniture, and carpeting. Reclaimed products can reduce the project’s environmental footprint and sometimes offer an economic alternative.

* One of the most important strategies in sustainable building is the use of green building materials and products. Using green building materials and products promotes conservation of nonrenewable resources. In addition, integrating green building materials into building projects can help reduce the environmental impacts associated with the extraction, transport, processing, fabrication, installation, reuse, recycling, and disposal of these building industry source materials.

8.

Automatic shut-off valves, low flow fixtures, and dual flushing toilets can all greatly facilitate reduced water use.

5.

Facilitate a sustainable building process by reusing and recycling construction and demolition materials.

6.

Require plans for managing materials through deconstruction, demolition, and construction.

7.

Design with adequate space to facilitate recycling collection and to incorporate a solid waste management program that prevents waste generation.

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V. SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATION

1.

Obtaining green certification can be a way to quantify and provide resources to support your green commitment.

Several programs offer assistance to nonprofits in areas such as green certification, endorsements and technical assistance.

2.

Even if you don’t pursue certification, you still aspire to achieve the highest environmental goals appropriate for your needs and situation. See Certification in the Resources.

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WHAT A DESIGNER CAN HELP YOU DO

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RESOURCES PRO BONO DESIGN SERVICES The 1%

www.theonepercent.org The 1% is a program of Public Architecture that challenges architecture and design firm nationwide to pledge a mimimum of 1% of their time to pro bono and connects these firms with nonprofits in need of design assitance

ENERGY Energy Star

www.energystar.gov A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping households and businesses save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practice. EPA provides an innovative energy performance rating system and recognizes top performing buildings.

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)

www.Aceee.org A general website for US Energy Policy resources, information and research Lawrence Berkeley Labs

www.poet.lbl.gov A user-friendly calculator to compare one’s energy consumption with like buildings

CERTIFICATION*

United States Green Building Council (USGBC)

www.usgbc.org A third-party certification tools developed to meet the unique needs of identifying green buildings. LEED rates how a building performs on a number of green criteria and assesses an overall ranking of green performance.

Uniform Standard for Green Business Certification

www.usgreenbusinesscertification.org A third party accrediting organization serving small business throughout the United States and Canada that provides consulting to small businesses and organizations regarding environmental management and sustainability.

www.greenglobes.com Green Globes is a building environmental design and management tool. It delivers an online assessment protocol, rating system and guidance for green building design, operation and management.

Energy Star for Buildings & Manufacturing Plants

www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=business.bus_bldgs EPA works with businesses and organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strategic energy management practices. An ENERGY STAR certified facility meets strict energy performance standards set by EPA and uses less energy, is less expensive to operate, and causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its peers.

ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING (EPP) EPA’s Environmental Preferable Purchasing

www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/index.htm EPA’s EPP website was initially geared at federal government purchasing but can easily be used by the general public. Most useful to a broader audience are the links under “Finding and Evaluating Green Product and Services” and the “Hands On Tools for Green Purchasing.”

CHPS High Performing Products Database

www.chpsregistry.com/live/ The sustainable materials database helps in the identification and selection of products that can create a safe and healthy school environment. It includes information around green construction.

Green Purchasing Policy and Program

www.responsiblepurchasing.org The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is an international network of buyers dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing.

Green Guard

www.greenguard.org The Greenguard Certification Program is an industryindependent, third-party testing program for low-emission products and materials. Contains an online list of products that have met indoor air quality standards.

PRODUCTS & MATERIALS Good to be Green

Cradle to Cradle Certification

www.cradletocradle.com A multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product’s safety to humans and the environment and promotes design for future life cycles. The program provides guidelines, focusing on using safe materials that can be disassembled and recycled as technical nutrients or composted as biological nutrients.

Green Globes

* It is to your advantage to seek local programs, as many state, city and regional municipalities offer sustainability certification, e.g., CalGreen in California.

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www.goodtobegreen.com A consumer/commercial interactive search guide for green building materials ranging from furniture to concrete as well as identifying green building professionals and services Design for Reuse Knowledge Exchange and Primer

www.publicarchitecture.org/reuse An online database and publication of Public Architecture, in partnership with USGBC, that offers case studies on the most sustainable material use and reuse strategies.

RESOURCES

National Center for Electronic Recycling

Business.gov

www.electronicsrecycling.org A national nonprofit dedicated to the development and enhancement of a national infrastructure for the recycling of used electronics in the U.S.

www.business.gov A government front-page that links to various state and federal tax and grant incentives for sustainable businesses and organizations

DSIRE

Community Lending Organizations NCB Capital Impact

www.dsireusa.org DSIRE offers a database of state incentives for renewable materials and efficiency.

BEST PRACTICES Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Tips on Green Living

www.epa.gov/gateway/learn/greenliving.html EPA has tools to help you learn and understand the issues, and can help you reduce your environmental footprint in your home, workplace, and in the greater community.

Greenbiz

www.greenbiz.com A database of articles regarding best practices for sustainability in business includes: how-to’s, case studies, and research in an e-zine format.

Green Business at Business.gov

www.business.gov A government site offering ten detailed steps suggesting more sustainable business strategies Commuter Choice

www.commuterchoice.com A site offering viable solutions for commuters and employers alike to find incentives and convenience in commuter options in major cities nationally

COST ANALYSIS Davis Langdon’s The Cost of Green Revisited

www.davislangdon.com/USA/Research/ ResearchFinder/2007-The-Cost-of-Green-Revisited/ A 2007 study that shows there is no significant difference in average costs for green buildings as compared to non-green buildings.

FINANCIAL INCENTIVES Government Incentives EPA / Green Building Funding Opportunities

www.epa.gov/greenbuilding/tools/funding Provides numerous funding sources for funding for green building that are available at the national, state and local levels for homeowners, industry, government organizations and nonprofits.

US Department of Energy (USDOE)

www.eere.energy.gov A summary of federal tax incentives and further information on energy efficiency can be found on this site.

www.ncbcapitalimpact.org Helps people and communities reach their highest potential at every stage of life. As a national nonprofit organization and a certified Community Development Finance Institution, NCB Capital Impact improves access to highquality health and elder care, healthy foods, housing, and education in low-income communities through community lending, technical assistance and policy development.

Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF)

http://nonprofitfinancefund.org One of the nation’s leading community development financial institutions. NFF makes millions of dollars in loans to nonprofits and pushes for fundamental improvement in how money is given and used in the sector.

Opportunity Finance Network

www.opportunityfinance.net/ A leading network of private financial intermediaries identifying and investing in opportunities to benefit low-income and low-wealth people in the U.S. Foundation Support The Home Depot Foundation

www.homedepotfoundation.org The Home Depot Foundation focuses on repairing and refurbishing homes and facilities that serve disadvantaged families and individuals through partnership with local nonprofits and the volunteer efforts of Team Depot. The Foundation’s current emphasis is on serving U.S. military veterans who are facing growing financial and physical hardships at home as they return to civilian life.

Kresge Foundation

www.kresge.org Kresge Foundation is a $3.1 billion private, national foundation that seeks to influence the quality of life for future generations through its support of nonprofit organizations in six fields of interest: arts and culture, community development, education, the environment, health, and human services.

Alcoa Foundation

www.alcoa.com/global/en/community/foundation.org Alcoa Foundation seeks to promote environmental stewardship, prepare tomorrow’s leaders and enable economic and social sustainability. Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $530 million since 1952 in nonprofit organizations throughout the world, focusing on environment, empowerment, education and sustainable design. │ 27

YOUR CHECKLIST Before you begin, your organization should set the sustainability goals for what you hope to accomplish as an organization. Use it as a way to establish a vision for moving forward as well as a standard against which you can measure future results.

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WHAT YOU CAN DO ON YOUR OWN 1. ENCOURAGE INNOVATION IN YOUR EMPLOYEES & CLIENTS 2. SAVE ENERGY 3. REDUCE OFFICE WASTE 4. REUSE OFFICE FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT 5. BUY EFFICIENT FIXTURES AND APPLIANCES, AND INVEST IN ECO-FRIENDLY FURNISHINGS 6. ADOPT “GREEN” CLEANING POLICIES 7. CREATE A GREEN TRANSPORTATION STRATEGY 8. FIND A DESIGNER

WHAT A DESIGNER CAN HELP YOU DO 1. C ONFIGURE WORK FACILITY TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE 2. I NCREASE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF YOUR FACILITY THROUGH BUILDING COMPONENTS 3. INSTALL

MORE EFFICIENT MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT 4. U SE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUILDING MATERIALS & PRODUCTS POLICIES 5. SUSTAINABLE CERTIFICATION

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CREDITS

Sustainability for Nonprofits is a publication of Public Architecture Editor Amy Ress – Design Cynthia Garcia – Public Architecture staff and volunteers who contributed to this publication: Grant Alexander, John Cary, Kristen Dotson, Nick McClintock, Liz Ogbu, John Peterson, Cali Pfaff, Amy Ress, Mia Scharphie, and Matt Weller.

– The 1%, a program of Public Architecture, connects nonprofits with architecture and design firms willing to give of their time pro bono. www.theonepercent.org – Established in 2002, Public Architecture is a national 501(c) (3) nonprofit based in San Francisco. It engages architecture firms, nonprofits, and manufacturers to commit to design for the public good through its nationally recognized 1% program; it acts to bring about positive community change through public-interest design initiatives and pro bono design service grants; and it shares the potential of design to change the world through advocacy and outreach. www.publicarchitecture.org – This publication was made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. www.nea.gov – This guide is licensed by Public Architecture under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License www.creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/

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Cover | “Fluorescent light bulb” symbol by The Noun Project collection Link>

PUBLIC ARCHITECTURE