What Is Emerald Gives: Building a Better World?
Through Emerald Gives, we bring forward our core values by engaging with the community and its non-profit organizations in achieving sustainable results. One component of Emerald Gives is complimentary certification services - the Emerald team selects one organization to support in seeking a sustainable building certification annually.
What Does a Nonprofit Receive If They Are Selected?
Pursuing certification under LEED for Operations and Maintenance can result in financial benefits for the organization, such as increased donor interest and resource consumption savings.
The 2024 recipient of this initiative will receive pro-bono consulting services for the pursuit of LEED certification under the LEED Operations and Maintenance for Existing Buildings rating system. This certification focuses on concepts such as:
- Indoor air quality
- Sustainable purchasing
- Green cleaning
- Human experience
- Ongoing recycling and waste management
- Energy and water efficiency
- Sustainable building and grounds maintenance
LEED O+M is a performance-based certification that awards points when reported data and documentation comply with requirements. Certification documentation includes occupant surveys, building and site design elements, written policies, and annual performance data for utilities, waste, and transportation, among others.
Don't fret! - Emerald will be aiding you in preparing documentation for certification and will give you tools to track performance.
What Will It Cost Us?
The organization must be willing to pay related LEED registration and certification fees - which are $1,350 for registration and a minimum of $2,150 for certification fees (for buildings below 50,000sf and ~$.042 /SF for larger buildings). These fees will be paid directly to the Green Building Certification Institute.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
- The selected organization must be a US Based 501 (c)(3) organization.
- The organization must own, and be the sole occupant of the building it seeks to certify.
- The building it seeks to certify must have been in service for at least 12 consecutive months.
- The building must be open to visitors/clients/students on a regular basis.
- The organization must be willing to pay related LEED registration and certification fees - $1,350 for registration and a minimum of $2,150 for certification fees (up to 50,000sf and ~$.042 /SF). These will be paid directly to the Green Building Council.
- The organization must be able to complete the work required for certification within 9 months of agreeing to move forward with certification.
How Do I Apply?
Applications for this are no longer being accepted. However, if you are interested in being considered for Emerald Gives 2025, fill out the form below!
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Attention Nonprofits! 🌱🏢 Struggling with limited resources to achieve sustainability goals? We understand and are here to help! Emerald is thrilled to announce a one-of-a-kind initiative, pro-bono consulting services valued at $30,000. The result: LEED Operations and Maintenance (O+M) certification strategy for one lucky U.S.-based nonprofit and its primary building!
