2026 Emerald Gives

Attention Nonprofits! Struggling to manage operating costs while also trying to meet 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 and implementation support for one lucky U.S.-based nonprofit and its primary building!

By partnering with Emerald Built Environments, A Crete United Company, you will learn what steps you can take to trim operating costs, reduce environmental impacts, and elevate your organization's stewardship.

Don't miss this chance to pursue LEED O+M certification and make a lasting positive impact through smarter building operations. The application deadline for this year is August 12, 2026.

*View Eligibility Requirements

What Is Emerald Gives?

Through Emerald Gives, we live 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 an 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 2026 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 certification documentation 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.

Depending on building-specific information, current facility assessments, air balancing, and related documentation, the building may need to engage additional vendors for an energy audit, outdoor air measurements, or HVAC improvements.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements?

 

The selected organization must be a U.S.-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 regularly.
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 nine (9) months of agreeing to proceed with certification.

How Do I Apply?

The deadline to apply for Emerald Gives 2026 is August 12, 2026. Please fill out the interest form below!

The Centers

2023 Emerald Gives Recipient

The Centers provides comprehensive health and human services for 20,000 people in the Cleveland area. Its mission is to “fight for equity by healing, teaching, and inspiring individuals and families to reach their full potential." The Centers’ operations span primary care visits to workforce development programs and early learning programs for children.

Emerald partnered with The Centers to help them achieve LEED O+M certification because there was clear link between the rating systems and the Centers' sustainability strategy. As a local provider of support services, access by public transportation, a healthy indoor environment, and cost-efficient operations are paramount goals. These strategic initiatives align squarely with LEED O+M.

Mark Polansky, Director of Facilities said, "I'm new to LEED and Sustainability, and some of the concepts require a new way of thinking and managing our facilities. Change can be hard, but with Emerald's support, I can clearly see how this work will help us long term. Plus, the Emerald team is very helpful in organizing the work so we make progress on the easier things to document while we work through more complex topics. Emerald's can-do attitude makes it easier to work towards our goal."

Severance Hall

2024 Emerald Gives Recipient

Severance Hall, home of the renowned Cleveland Orchestra, is a cultural and historical landmark built in 1931. Severance Hall hosts world-class performances and educational programs, enriching the community through exceptional music and artistic excellence.

In 2024, Severance Hall joined the Emerald Gives initiative, seeking to achieve certification as recognition of its commitment to sustainable performance and energy efficiency.

As with many hospitality and performance venues, waste management is both an environmental liability and an easy way to engage patrons. Severance Hall has a rigorous waste management and diversion program, which positioned it well for alignment with LEED O+M. Its board of directors and staff have meticulously maintained the iconic building, evidenced by its estimated EUI of 131 kBtu/sf, further positioning it for success with certification.

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity

2025 Emerald Gives Recipient

Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity works to expand access to safe, affordable housing, helping individuals and families build stability and strength through homeownership. Through its ReStore operations and community programs, the organization advances sustainability by giving materials a second life and reducing waste across the region.

Emerald selected Habitat for Humanity as the 2025 Emerald Gives recipient and began with a comprehensive building assessment to evaluate opportunities for certification under LEED for Operations and Maintenance. While the organization demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability—including diverting approximately 70% of materials from landfill—the assessment revealed that the facility could not meet key certification prerequisites. Limitations such as insufficient natural ventilation across much of the building ultimately made LEED O+M certification unfeasible.

Emerald also explored alternative certification pathways, including TRUE Zero Waste, but threshold requirements—such as a 90% diversion rate—were not attainable within the current operational model.

Despite these challenges, Emerald extended its support beyond the initial scope—providing guidance on operational improvements and identifying practical strategies to strengthen sustainability performance over time.

This partnership reflects the spirit of Emerald Gives: meeting organizations where they are, offering expert insight, and helping mission-driven teams move closer to their sustainability goals—no matter the starting point.

2022 Emerald Gives Recipient

Hathaway Brown

Learn about the experience Hathaway Brown School had as the 2022 recipient of Emerald Gives, including:

What led them to apply
What changes they are making now that they are operating more sustainably
How Emerald helped the process

And find out if they'd recommend this to other nonprofits!