Nonprofit Organizations Win Awards for Going Green

Winners of the 2011 Nonprofits Going Green Contest Announced on April 16, 2011 at the 3rd Annual e4 Sustainability Summit.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., April 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is pleased to announce that five local nonprofit organizations are the winners of its 4th Annual Nonprofits Going Green Contest. Local organizations working to "go green" were honored during the 3rd Annual e4 Sustainability Summit held on April 16, 2011, at the Waterfront and City Commons in West Palm Beach.

This year's contest is organized in partnership with West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability. Winning nonprofits received special grant awards ranging from $1,650 to $7,500 for their efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle.  

"Barbara Groves Eco-Impact Award" was presented to Faith Farm Ministries (Boynton Beach) who received $7,500. This award, created in honor of a local philanthropist, recognizes the organization that has shown the greatest commitment to greening efforts by reducing energy dependence, limiting waste, and conserving water accomplished through the most cost-efficient means.  

The "Sustainable Communities Award", for a total of $6,000, went to Prime Time Palm Beach County (Boynton Beach), for implementation of Project Grow.  This project provides the opportunity for afterschool programs, to plant, grow and eat organic food.

Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida received $4,000 in "Youth Engagement Award" category for their environmental education programs. The programs address activities such as solar energy, sustainable food source (SOW what?), and water (Camp H2O).

Two prizes for $1,650 each were awarded in the "Judges' Green Harvest" category. The first award went to Florida Arts and Dance Company (Stuart) for their "Wear and Share Cabinet."  The second "Judges' Green Harvest Award" went to Sunflower Creative Arts (Boca Raton) for their community service/environmental club: Roots and Shoots.

"These awards are an indication of the commitment the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties makes to its nonprofit partners, donors and community, to care for and preserve the environment," said Royall Victor III, a resident of Palm Beach, Board Member and Chair of the Community Foundation's Environmental Advisory Committee. "The Foundation assists nonprofits across the region to decrease their environmental footprint by continually providing technical support to other nonprofits seeking to become green certified." – added Victor.

The 4th Annual Nonprofits Going Green Contest Awards is being sponsored by the Environmental Endowment Fund of the Community Foundation, Florida Power & Light and Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company.

About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

As one of Florida's largest community foundations, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties advances quality of life, citizen engagement, and regional vitality through its promotion of philanthropy. We have been in existence for more than 35 years, with permanent endowment now totaling more than $100 million. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $3.4 million in grants and led initiatives to address critical issues of common concern among our region's communities, including hunger, homelessness, affordable housing, and the conservation and protection of water resources. For more information, visit our website: www.yourcommunityfoundation.org.

Aleksandar Milojica
Sr. Director of Marketing and Communications
Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
(561) 659-6800 / [email protected]

SOURCE Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties