The Norfolk Foundation supports and encourages area nonprofits to explore green building practices in order to reduce building operating costs and minimize the negative environmental impacts of building construction and operation.

To help offset the additional costs of green building design, the Foundation offers green building planning grants.

Planning grants may be used for the following activities:

• Initial design charrettes

• Integrated process review

• Modeling/life cycle costing

• Costs associated with LEED certification

To apply, nonprofits must submit:

• A letter of interest stating that the organization’s board will explore the feasibility of using green building practices in new construction or a major
  renovation project

• Description of the project and the name of the project architect

• Budget for the planning process

For questions, contact Christine Morris, director of initiatives, at
cmorris@norfolkfoundation.org

Please note that the awarding of a planning grant is not a requirement for a capital grant, nor does receiving a planning grant imply that a capital grant will be awarded.

On www.norfolkfoundation.org/nonprofits/general_grants.asp

Capital campaigns are highly organized, intensive fundraising drives to secure money to finance new construction or major improvements to an organization’s physical space

NEW – The Green Building Initiative
The Foundation seeks to reduce local nonprofits’ building operating costs over the long term and minimize the negative environmental impacts associated with construction and operation by encouraging “green” building practices that can cut heating and cooling costs, save water and reduce pollution.

To that end, the Foundation will give strong preference to capital campaigns that incorporate these types of building practices. A committee of volunteers with construction expertise will assist the Foundation’s board in assessing the extent to which building projects have incorporated these environment-friendly practices.
Click here for more information and guidelines.

It is the Foundation’s intent to make these practices required for all organizations seeking capital campaign grants by the year 2009.

To apply for a grant toward a capital campaign, complete the Capital Campaigns and Projects application and submit it the Foundation by one of the two deadlines for capital campaigns.