Project Clearinghouse

Green Business Micro Grants and Internship Program

Sustainability Problem and Proposed Solution: 

The California Green Business Network oversees 25 green business programs throughout California. To date, 3,396 California Green Business participants have saved more than $41 million through green practices. They have also prevented emissions of more than one million tons of GHG's, diverted more than 1.5 million tons of waste from landfills, and saved 750+ million gallons of water.

There are multiple businesses that have been unable to complete their certification due to retrofit costs.

Jump to: Contact | Project Description | Funding Sources | Metrics for Success | Results
Project Categories: 
Buildings & Facilities
Business & Economics
Energy & Climate
Food
Awareness, Education & Engagement
Waste & Recycling
Water
Project Status: 
In Progress
Project End Date: 
06/20/2018
(estimated)
Campus Organization: 
Carbon Fund
Sustainability Office
Affiliated Department, Unit or College: 
City of Santa Cruz, UCSC Sustainability Office, UCSC Physical Plant
Project Location: 
Both on and off campus


Westside Challenge


Stakeholder Contacts: 
Contact NameEmail AddressContact NumberDepartment
Shawn Orgel-Olson
sorgelolson@cityofsantacruz.com
8314205592
Public Works - Green Business Program
Funding Sources: 
Carbon Fund

Project Description: 

There are multiple businesses that have been unable to complete their Green Business Program (GBP) certification (checklist and audits) due to small upgrades that they couldn’t afford/get building owners to upgrade. Grants of $250 or less to help these businesses with the cost of installing energy efficient lighting or appliances, and supplement the cost of water efficient fixtures will help reduce their environmental impact and satisfy GBP requirements.

This project aims to help businesses that wouldn’t be able to get certified without financial help and technical assistance. Those businesses will be locally owned and oftentimes understaffed, just surviving. The great thing about many of these upgrades is that they’ll provide a “win-win” for the environment and the business’ bottom line.

Timeline: Certify eight or more new businesses and provide micro grants as needed by the end of 2018.

Metrics for Success: 

Our success will be measured by the number of businesses certified, grants distributed, upgrades completed, and mentoring hours provided.

Result Categories: 
Behavior Change
Education/Outreach
Data Collection & Analysis
Results: 

Our program will:
- Distribute micro grant funds
- Certify eight or more new Green Businesses on and off campus
- Develop future sustainability leaders