With so much else to worry about, is it still important for nonprofits to pursue environmentally sustainable practices? Absolutely. Our goals haven't changed, and "green" still supports them. We all want to see our organizations fulfill their missions while doing so in a cost-effective, ethical, socially conscious manner. That's what green is all about, and its hallmarks — synergy and innovation — are just what we need these days.

No matter what your organization's mission, green can support it by:

1. saving your organization money;
2. fostering new models of engagement and practice;
3. creating a healthier working environment for your staff, clients, and volunteers;
4. attracting new donors; and
5. demonstrating your organization's concern for the health of your community.

Still, for nonprofits struggling to survive in this tough economic climate, it may seem that any talk about green ignores important short-term challenges. If you're afraid that green will be a diversion from those challenges, you probably assume that it's complicated, expensive, and labor intensive. While that may be true of "headline" projects, many green activities involve easy, low/no-cost choices that can reduce your operating costs in both the short and long term. You're already familiar with some of them — lowering the thermostat in winter, unplugging appliances on nights and weekends, reducing water use by installing low-flow devices. All will save you money while costing little or nothing.

Making other changes requires a thoughtful assessment of your organization's finances and existing practices. For example, you may decide to delay a larger project until you have raised the funds to pay for it or the need is critical. Here are some other things to consider:

• Assess the full costs of a green project to both your organization and the environment (the whole life-cycle analysis).
• Compare the purchase costs to the cost of conventional systems, materials, or processes. They may be equal or less. If less or the same, go for it; if greater, draw up a thorough analysis of how the added cost can be amortized (e.g., savings over time, increased public engagement, enhanced sustainability).
• Be thoughtful and avoid against "greenwashing" — disingenuously saying something positive about a green project or practice that has little or no basis in fact.

Still not convinced your organization can afford to be green? Let's look more closely at reasons why it can:

Green is a "two-fer." Consuming less of anything not only means you spend less; it also reduces resource demands on our already-stressed environment. I've already noted some simple energy-saving measures you can take as a start. Copier paper is another expense that's easy to cut. Encourage staff to widen margins and print on both sides of every sheet, and be sure to recycle whatever you use. And while you're at it, you might want to give up the water cooler and ask staff to drink filtered water from the tap; it'll save you money on your monthly water bills and, by eliminating regular visits by your vendor, will help reduce your organization's carbon footprint.

Green demonstrates your engagement with the community. Adopting green practices shows that you appreciate the value of a healthy environment, are paying attention to public concerns about the environment, and are willing to make changes in response to those concerns. Collaboration in pursuit of green is also an excellent way to deepen your engagement with the community. Look for synergies with other organizations: your need may be their opportunity, and vice versa.

Green means a healthier work environment. Just as toxins in the environment are bad for plants and animals, toxins in the workplace are bad for people. When you make a choice to use non-toxic cleaning solutions and low/no-VOC paints, finishes, and building materials, you're making healthy choice for your employees, volunteers, and visitors. And don't underestimate the psychological value of fresh air and sunlight. It may be inconvenient to un-stick a transom or old window that has been painted shut, but the positive response and increased productivity (from fewer sick days) will more than make up for it.

Green appeals to funders. Implementing green practices demonstrates to funders that your nonprofit is a good steward of resources and proactive about sustainability, organizational as well as environmental. Increasingly, the public values both, and funders are looking for — and in some cases insisting on — evidence that their grantees are taking steps in that direction. It's better to be able point to what you have done than having to explain what you have yet do.

Green is about giving back. Nonprofits exist for the benefit of the public, and giving back — to our communities, to our employees and volunteers, to the environment — bolsters and reinforces our value to society. As more and more municipalities begin to look at PILOT (Payments in Lieu of Taxes) fees as a way to generate revenue, wouldn't it be better to be ready with a green report card that shows how you've already contributed to the community by reducing your waste, conserving water and energy, and setting a good example for others?

Those who have already implemented green practices no doubt are happy to be saving money in this economy. And with stimulus package money beginning to find its way into nonprofits and "shovel-ready" energy-efficiency projects through programs like the National Endowment for the Humanities' Sustaining Cultural Heritage Grants program, now is a great time to get planning. Remember, green is like an endowment, a gift that keeps on giving. Continuing and deepening your engagement with green practice demonstrates that your organization has not lost sight of what is important in this world — a safe, healthy planet for us all, today and into the future. What are you waiting for?