Green America is a national, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, membership organization founded in 1982. We went by the name "Co-op America" until January 1, 2009.

Green America's Mission

Green America harnesses economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.

Green America's Vision

We work for a world where all people have enough, where all communities are healthy and safe, and where the abundance of the Earth is preserved for all the generations to come.

Our Focus

We focus on these four areas for system transformation, insisting on social justice and environmental health across all sectors. We believe if we can get these right, the rest of the economy will follow:

• Climate and clean energy
• Sustainable food and agriculture
• Responsible investing
• Fair labor

Our Powerful Strategic Areas

Consumer Education and Mobilization

• Theory of Change: Consumers are the pressure point for economic change-- it always starts with the customer demanding change

Green Business Network

• Theory of Change: Small businesses are the innovators and job creations-- a green economy requires a vibrant small green business sector. Learn more about the Green Business Network.

Center for Sustainability Solutions

• Theory of Change: Direct engagement with major supply chain players for solutions at scale-- consumers demand the change, green businesses prove it can be done, and major players bring it to scale for system transformation. Learn more about the Center for Sustainability Solutions.

What Makes Green America Unique

• We mobilize people in their economic roles—as consumers, investors, workers, business leaders—to address issues of social justice and environmental sustainability.
• We empower individuals to make purchasing and investing choices to build a just and sustainable world.
• We empower people to take personal and collective action.
• We work on issues of social justice and environmental responsibility. We see these issues as completely linked in the quest for a sustainable world. It’s what we mean when we say “green.”
• We work to stop abusive practices and to create healthy, just, and sustainable practices.
• We demand an end to corporate irresponsibility through collective economic action.
• We promote green and fair trade business principles while building the market for businesses adhering to these principles.
• Our democratically-constituted board is elected by our members from our consumer, business, and staff stakeholders.
• Green America operates as a collaborative and participatory workplace, where staff members are encouraged to give input and to reach consensus through democratic decision-making processes on key issues affecting staff of the organization.

Our History

In 1982, a small group of people got together, united by a belief that we could create an economy that works for people and the planet—and Co-op America, now called Green America, was born.

This visionary group of individuals bravely put forth a revolutionary idea to Americans: “Every time you spend or invest a dollar, it goes to work in the world. Too often, it goes to support institutions and corporations that perpetuate injustice, pollute the environment, and destroy communities. But we can change that. We can use economic power to push for socially and environmentally responsible businesses ... and put our society on a more sustainable path.”

More than 30 years later, the impact of the work we do together with our members is truly phenomenal.

We help people in their roles as consumers, investors, business owners, homeowners, community activists, teachers, people of faith, children and parents, to take both personal and collective action that promotes positive social and environmental progress. Together, these people are growing the market for green products, promoting renewable energy, promoting fair wages and fair trade, and building healthy communities here and abroad.

Over the years, we have helped millions of people use their money to create a life they can feel good about living, and to cultivate a social and environmental legacy worth leaving behind. And we've helped these people join hands with others to help put our world on a more just and sustainable path toward the future.

Indeed, leadership for a better world will come from people like you and me. Together, we must act boldly, creatively, and with a tremendous amount of cooperation and love.

We look forward to working with you! I hope that you'll join us.

Alisa Gravitz, CEO and President