Thinking 'Green' Can Pay Big Dividends

By Tim McCormick, Vice President
Cleveland

Over the past several years, the concept of “Green” buildings has been gaining popularity. There are a number of reasons for this trend: Green buildings preserve natural resources; they cost less to operate; there is funding available both to plan for and to build them; and projects involving green buildings may open to the door to a segment of donors that find this approach appealing.

In 2003, 14% of all projects reviewed under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards were proposed by non-profit organizations. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, the LEED is a nationally-accepted rating system for green buildings and provides varying levels of designations for projects, depending on the amount of energy conservation and reduced environmental impact that are designed into the project.

Approaching a green building project for a new facility or major renovation can take many avenues. It can involve simple steps such as using restroom fixtures with sensors that conserve water, to installing a geothermal heating and cooling system. Regardless of the level an organization chooses to incorporate green concepts into its project, early planning is the key to taking full advantage of all the benefits this approach has to offer.

While the planning process is usually more extensive, it can pay big dividends for your organization or project. The S.S. Kresge Foundation provides grants to assist with the additional costs involved in a fully integrated green plan. Once a project has been reviewed and given a LEED designation, grants from a wide variety of sources can be applied for that will defray some of the construction costs. Local, State, and Federal agencies have specific funds available to support these types of endeavors and many foundations provide support for them as well. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Smart Communities Network websites offer lists of resources for developing green buildings.

Beyond getting help with planning and construction expenses, a green approach to a project can significantly enhance an organization’s case for support. A green facility can substantially reduce annual operating costs over the life of the building, which in turn provides more ongoing financial resources to support mission-based activities and programs. Environmentally friendly facilities have less impact on a community’s infrastructure and demonstrate the organization’s commitment to being good stewards of available resources. “Baby Boomers” are becoming a more significant part of the donor base that organizations are attempting to cultivate, and a green approach may appeal to many individuals within this segment of donors. Another consideration is the inherently healthier and more comfortable environment that a green building provides for the end users, which will have a long-term positive impact on programming. These are just a few examples of ways that incorporating a green approach can strengthen your case for support.

With the proper amount of planning, taking advantage of the trend for “Building Green” can pay big dividends for your organization’s capital project.