More and more funders are adding “green grants” to their grantmaking programs as a way to encourage their grantees to undertake “green” practices and be more responsible stewards of Earth’s resources.

This brief, published in March 2009, describes the experience and lessons learned by one funder, Community Clinics Initiative (CCI). CCI’s initial half-million-dollar “green” grants program provided $25,000 grants to 20 community clinics to help them renovate or operate environmentally sustainable health-care facilities.

The article describes how grantees reduced their energy and water consumption, reduced environmental hazards in their buildings and engaged staff in implementing environmentally healthy operational practices. It includes 10 Lessons Learned through the program, a list of “Key Factors that Help Nonprofits Go Green” and short profiles of two grantees’ green projects.

This is important reading for funders and lenders who want to encourage environmentally sustainable practices, not only in clinics and health-care organizations, but in any nonprofit organization.