At one of the nonprofits I worked at, it was a HUGE struggle to get my colleagues to print on double-sided paper. For regular use within the office, sure, but for board meetings? "It looks unprofessional!"

Luckily, not all nonprofits are behind the times. MSNBC recently ran a story called Green construction in Seattle growing on the nonprofit sector, which is about exactly what it sounds like. Their top pick as an example? The $500 million Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation HQ. Not exactly typical of your average nonprofit, but there are lots more down to earth examples of how a variety of nonprofits are out in front of the green revolution.

The national office of Habitat for Humanity has incorporated green building training into its work with its local affiliates:

Habitat’s Environmental Initiative promotes cost-effective, best-practice construction methods to its U.S. affiliates, raising awareness of the environmental impacts of house building. [...] Over time the initiative has been integrated into Habitat’s standard education and training activities, so that affiliates are encouraged to be good house builders and good stewards of natural resources.

They also point out that the homes they construct are smaller, modestly sized homes that conserve resources and take less energy to heat and cool.

Habitat also operates a network of ReStores, where used and surplus building supplies are sold to the public - some of it recycled from demolishing older buildings.

Even beyond construction activities, nonprofits are taking green steps. I've already discussed how some food banks and community kitchens are turning to more sustainable, local food in their efforts to be green and save money. The Chicago natural science museum installed showers and bike storage cages to encourage its employees to use alternative transportation. Now 15 percent of them bike to work. There's even a new nonprofit that exists to bring together investors and clean energy projects: New Generation Energy.

It makes total sense for nonprofits to embrace green building and energy efficiency. Their job is to make the world a better place, which means living lightly on the Earth's resources, and they benefit from saving money over time on energy bills. Unlike publicly owned for-profit companies, nonprofits aren't subject to making quarterly and annual reports where profit or loss can make or break them. An up front cost with long term benefits and cost savings can be explained.

However, in some ways, it's nonprofits who are the least able to do good while doing green. Want recycled paper for that copier? That will cost you. Want to switch out all your light bulbs with compact fluorescents? That will cost you? Want energy efficient PCs? That will really cost you. Luckily, a number of foundations are now starting to encourage grant applicants to consider environmental impact in their work.

What about your friendly neighborhood nonprofit? Have they taken any steps to go green?

[Image by Flávio Takemoto.]