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The GreenFaith Certification Program
Introduction to the GreenFaith Certification Program

Designed to help houses of worship from diverse traditions become religious-environmental leaders, the GreenFaith Certification Program is the world’s first comprehensive, interfaith, environmental certification program.

What Does the Program involve?
What Resources and Support Do Participating Institutions Receive?
How Much Does the Program Cost?
How Can We Get Started?

What does the Program involve?

With the endorsement of their governing board and ordained leader, participating houses of worship form a Green Team. Team members help their houses of worship carry out:

• Religious education programs for children, teens and adults
• Environmentally-oriented worship services
• A host of “green” facility management activities related to energy, food, water, waste, toxins, grounds maintenance and transportation.
• Education to help your members “green” their consumption habits
• Environmental justice education and advocacy
• Collaboration with environmental groups and other houses of worship
• Publicity to your own members, community and denomination

To learn more, click here to read about the steps involved in becoming a GreenFaith Sanctuary or click here for a summary of the Program requirements.

What Resources and Support Do Participating Institutions Receive?

Participating institutions receive access to the resources and support services they need to complete the Program successfully. These resources and services include:

• 6 Webinars —teleconferences combined with an on-line slideshow. Topics include: Getting Started, Biblical and Theological Foundations, Religious-Environmental Education and Worship, Green Facility Management, Environmental Justice and Sharing our Stories.

• A list-serve where Program participants can pose questions and share strategies with others.

• An E-mail help desk with supportfrom GreenFaith’s staff and mentors.

• Resources designed over GreenFaith’s 15 years of experience to support religious-environmental programming.

• Telephone support from GreenFaith’s office.

How Much Does the Program Cost?

Tuition fees for the GreenFaith Certification Program are as follows:

Religious institutions with budgets under $500,000..………………….…….... $500
Religious institutions with budgets $500,000 - $1 million …………….……..$1,000
Religious institutions with budgets $1 million - $2.5 million………………...$1,500
Religious institutions with budgets over $2.5 million ………. Determined in consultation

Limited tuition assistance is available for institutions with budgets under $250,000. Please contact certification@greenfaith.org for more information, noting ‘Tuition Assistance’ in the subject line.

Participating institutions must submit 100% of the tuition fee within 1 month after receiving their letter of acceptance into the Program.

The tuition fee provides institutions with full access to all Program resources for 2 years from the date of an institution’s acceptance.

How Can We Get Started?

To start the Program, your institution must complete the application process. There are four application deadlines per year—February 1st, May 1st, September 1st and December 1st.

The application process includes the following steps:

1. Complete the Application Forms. The institution must complete an application for the GreenFaith Certification Program. Click here for an application. The completed application with all materials should be sent to certification@greenfaith.org, noting ‘Application’ in the subject line.

2. Pay the Application Fee.A non-refundable Application fee of $50 must be paid to GreenFaith when you submit your institution’s Application. The fee can be paid by check, or by credit card by clicking on the ‘Donate Now’ box at www.greenfaith.org. If paying online, please write “GreenFaith Certification Program Application Fee for (Name of Institution and Contact Information)” in the Comment Box. The Application fee will be deducted from the tuition fee upon your institution’s acceptance into the Program.

3. Create a Green Team Your institution must create a Green Team to oversee your efforts in the Program. This Team should include lay and ordained leaders. Individuals from facilities maintenance staff, and the buildings and grounds, finance, worship, education and social action committees should also be included. Click here ffor advice on building an effective Green Team. All Green Team members must read and sign the Green Team Commitment Form, which must be emailed or mailed to GreenFaith along with the Application. Click here for the Green Team Commitment Form.

4. Make a Formal, Public Commitment. Your institution’s governing board must pass a resolution endorsing the program, and your ordained leader must make a public spoken and written statement in support of your institution’s participation. Click here for a sample governing board resolution. A copy of the resolution and the date and copy of your ordained leader’s public and written statements must be included in your Application.

Click here to read more information about the steps involved in becoming a GreenFaith Sanctuary.