The Green Grants Initiative is newly launched this fall of 2010 to encourage, challenge and support all the congregations in the Diocese of Massachusetts in environmental stewardship. 

In its first year the initiative is being funded by $50,000 from the Diocesan Annual Fund, with up to $50,000 in additional funds available to match gifts given to the program. 

To make a gift, visit the donations page and use the drop-down menu to indicate “Green Initiatives,” here.

The Green Grants Initiative currently has two components:  Simple Acts of Stewardship and Green Improvement Grants.  Congregations may participate in one or both.

Simple Acts of Stewardship

• Simple Acts of Stewardship grows out of gratitude for the blessings of God’s creation, and every congregation in the diocese, big or small, can participate, whether its project requires funding or not. 
• Simple Acts supports locally based projects that build a positive connection with the natural world by celebrating creation, conserving natural resources and teaching environmentally responsible practices.
• Examples include congregations coming together for bulk purchasing of earth-friendly office and hospitality supplies; a children’s gardening project that benefits a local food pantry; or some kind of public policy advocacy effort.
• Some Simple Acts may require financial support; others will cost nothing.  Some projects may save congregations operating expenses; still others might raise funds.  Congregations saving or raising money through their Simple Acts are encouraged to contribute some of their proceeds or savings to the program so that others might take up Simple Acts of their own.
• All Simple Acts involve sharing inspiration and ideas, and the program invites stories and photos that can be shared via the Web.  See “Contact Information” below.
• Simple Acts grants of approximately $500 are available through an application process detailed in the attached document. 

Green Improvement Grants

• Green Improvement Grants help congregations identify, fund and accomplish important energy efficiency improvements to their facilities, such as lighting and window upgrades, weatherization, on-demand hot water systems and replacement of old, inefficient boilers or furnaces.
• Green Improvement Grants provide an educational process that includes a property energy audit and Sustainable Houses of Worship (SHOW) workshops conducted by representatives from Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light.  The workshops cover common challenges to energy conservation faced by churches, propose various approaches to addressing these challenges, review project planning and funding practices and provide help in completing the Green Improvement Grants application.  SHOW workshops have been scheduled on these 2010 Saturdays:  Oct. 2 at St. Andrew's Church in Wellesley; Oct. 16 at Grace Church in North Attleboro; Oct. 23 at Grace Church in Lawrence; and Oct. 30 at St. Mary's Church in Dorchester.
• Green Improvement Grants of up to $10,000 are available through an application process detailed in the attached document.

Read more here.

Contact Information:

Questions, comments and ideas may be directed to the Rev. Karen Montagno, Interim Director of Congregational Resources and Training, at kmontagno [at] diomass [dot] org or 617-482-4826, ext. 413.

Additional Resources:

Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light:  http://www.mipandl.org/

Attachment	Size
Green Grants Initiative Simple Acts Application 2010.pdf	355.98 KB
Green Grants Initiative Green Improvement Application 2010.pdf	345.95 KB
Creation Care Sunday Bulletin Insert.pdf	34.44 KB