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SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION <br />Sustainability <br />When Worthy Cause III was <br />approved by the voters in 2008, <br />Boulder County integrated into <br />the program and application <br />criteria a desire to support projects <br />that improve the environmental <br />sustainability and energy efficiency <br />of nonprofit facilities throughout <br />Boulder County. Through Worthy <br />Cause, numerous nonprofits <br />have been able to improve the <br />sustainability of their existing <br />facility, or pursue new facilities and <br />improvements that greatly reduced <br />their environmental impact. The <br />goal was to align Worthy Cause <br />investments with Boulder County's <br />broader sustainability goals, improve <br />the agencies' resiliency in the face <br />of climate change, and to assist <br />nonprofits in reducing operating <br />expenditures so that they may invest <br />more of their budgets in direct <br />services for clients in need. <br />Following are examples of how <br />Worthy Cause has improved the <br />sustainability of nonprofits in the <br />community - and contributed to <br />meeting energy reduction goals: <br />Renewable Energy: <br />In an effort to reduce building energy <br />consumption, and the operating costs <br />of human services nonprofits, Worthy <br />Cause has supported investments in <br />on-site solar photovoltaic systems for <br />some agencies. Teens, Inc. capitalized <br />on the sunny days in Nederland by <br />adding a solar array to their facility. <br />Boulder Shelter for the Homeless, <br />already fully equipped with on- <br />site solar, received an award to <br />increase its solar capacity through a <br />community solar garden. <br />in Focus <br />Energy Efficiency: <br />Many agencies have leveraged <br />Worthy Cause funds to reduce energy <br />consumption, and in turn the use of <br />fossil fuels, by making improvements <br />and upgrades to their facilities. <br />Boulder County Housing Authority <br />applied for Worthy Cause funds to <br />improve the individual efficiency of <br />some apartment units in Lafayette. <br />In addition, the Josephine Commons <br />and Kestrel housing developments <br />supported through Worthy Cause <br />were designed to exceed local <br />sustainability and energy efficiency <br />requirements. Safehouse Progressive <br />Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) <br />received funding to complete <br />energy efficient upgrades to their <br />outreach center, including replacing <br />six 19 -year-old furnaces and air <br />conditioner units with 80% efficient <br />equipment, replacing the water heater <br />with an Energy Star unit, and the <br />installation of low flow toilets. <br />Climate Change Preparedness & <br />Resilience: <br />Climate change preparedness <br />is another important aspect of <br />sustainability. In the face of climate <br />change, community partners <br />recognize the need to adapt to <br />conditions that may adversely affect <br />vulnerable populations. Whether <br />working with children, the elderly, <br />homeless, or individuals with a <br />disability these vulnerable members <br />of our community will require <br />ongoing, or even enhanced services <br />during a disaster or other impacts <br />of changing climate conditions. As <br />an example, Via used Worthy Cause <br />funding to become a resilience <br />hub in Boulder. The purchase of a <br />solar array, installation of battery <br />storage, a natural gas generator and <br />engineering control software will <br />allow Via to go completely off -grid <br />indefinitely. This is great news for <br />community members who rely <br />on Via in times of disaster. These <br />investments will help support Via's <br />role as a second responder in Boulder <br />County's Emergency Management <br />Plan, so they are able to help evacuate <br />vulnerable residents during times of <br />need. <br />19 <br />Boulder County Worthy Cause 111 14 <br />