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Southface Creates Resilient Communities

Southface Institute, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is leading the way toward a sustainable, equitable and healthy built environment for all. Since 1978, our programs have closed the gap between environmental awareness and action by promoting scalable resource efficiency and clean energy solutions for homes, workplaces and communities. Our practice of regenerative placemaking amplifies real-world strategies to create a built environment where the synergy between ecological and human needs supports health and well-being while creating resilient, equitable and thriving communities, striving to achieve a low-carbon future.

GoodUse--Building more resilient communities while maximizing an untapped climate mitigation opportunity

Globally, building operations account for 28% of annual climate pollution, and has also been the most difficult sector to address. Emissions are expected to double by 2050 if we don't find scalable solutions to this urgent problem. 

Because nonprofits are focused on programs and the people they serve, often operating on a shoestring, they frequently occupy older buildings that waste energy, water and other resources, pulling money away from mission-critical services. Nonprofit buildings contribute approximately 20% of our primary energy consumption in the United States, but the capacity for savings in their facilities, both financially and environmentally, is tremendous. That’s where the GoodUse program comes in.

GoodUse helps nonprofits reduce utility costs and reinvest those savings into their programs. Our generous funders make it possible for us to provide technical assistance, education and matching grants to nonprofit partners, applying them to facility and operational upgrades that increase resource efficiency, lower expenses and improve indoor health. To make these positive changes last, Southface engineers identify areas for high-impact energy and water savings and indoor air improvements, assist with project implementation and ensure upgrades are delivering results. By reducing operating costs, GoodUse builds capacity within our partner organizations so they can focus on their mission and better serve their communities.

Since 2008, we've saved our nonprofit partners over $16 million in utility costs, while reducing their carbon dioxide emissions by 89,000 metric tons and water usage by 99 million gallons. In this time when communities are relying on nonprofits even more heavily to address the consequences of the pandemic, this critical funding helps not just Southface- but all our partners-amplify our impact.

GoodUse Stories

Below are just a few of the nonprofits that have saved vital funds while reducing energy and water use with Southface's help:

Georgia Aquarium

Ballethnic Dance Company Inc.

Boys and Girls Clubs

Second Harvest Foodbank

Nonprofits are the glue holding communities together. Support for the GoodUse program helps advance Southface's mission of promoting a low-carbon future, but also lifts up nonprofits on the front lines of ensuring our communities are resilient in the face of disruptions-whether from disasters, the pandemic or the lasting effects of injustice and racism.

Your donation helps Southface Institute create a more sustainable tomorrow.