Green America's Policy on Accepting Company Funds
Green America is committed to creating an economy that works for people and the planet. An important component of the organization’s work is engaging with companies of all sizes to encourage them to increase their environmental and social responsibility.
Green America has strict policies about accepting company funds.
Green America does not accept donations from companies that generate revenues primarily from tobacco, fossil fuels, mining, production of toxic chemicals (including synthetic pesticides), weapons, and/or armaments.
Dues
Green America accepts dues from companies that meet our published standards for economic and social progress in their industries, or, that are interested in receiving our resources to help them improve their practices so that they can meet our standards. Only businesses that have successfully completed our certification process may advertise in Green America print publications, Web sites, emails, and other electronic platforms. See section below on Advertising for additional information.
Advertising
Only businesses that have successfully completed our certification process may advertise in Green America publications, Web sites, emails, and other electronic channels. Subsidiaries that meet our standards may be certified, even if the parent company does not meet our standards, if those subsidiaries have their own sustainability criteria that meet our standards. Brands, which are fully part of a company with no separate governance structure like a subsidiary, do not qualify for our certification unless the parent company qualifies. Green America will be transparent, in print and online, about the ownership structure of companies it makes public facing. Green America reserves the right to decline dues, donations, sponsorships, fees for service, and partnerships with any subsidiary.
Donations and Sponsorships
We believe that companies should provide funding to support nonprofit organizations that are growing a truly green economy, and that this funding should not influence the mission or programs of the nonprofit. Green America does accept donations and sponsorships from companies that successfully complete the organization’s Green Business Certification and receive certification. These are the leading green business in the US. Green America also accepts donations and sponsorships from companies that demonstrate a clear commitment to the organization’s mission and promote goods and services that benefit people and the planet. Green America provides the logos of sponsoring companies on the Web site pages of the programs being sponsored, and allow sponsors to share content through our social media and email channels.
Green America promotes the products and services of select green businesses to our individual members, and in return, receives a portion of the proceeds. Only businesses that have earned Green America’s certification are eligible to promote products and services to these members. Green America promotes royalties to business members as well. We promote the greenest options available to these members. In limited cases (such as shipping services), there are no green businesses providing a particular service needed by Green America’s business members.
Fees for Service
We believe that when nonprofits assist companies in greening their supply chains those companies should pay for the service. These payments, in turn, provide revenues that the nonprofit can use to promote a more sustainable and equitable economy.
Green America accepts fees for service from companies that are engaged in increasing the sustainability of at least some of their goods or services. Green America provides consulting and educational services to companies to help them adopt social and environmental practices.
Partnerships
Green America may partner with organizations that do accept donations from companies that Green America won’t accept donations from. Green America will only partner with those organizations on projects that further Green America’s mission.
Green America may also partner with companies that have received Green America’s certification in order to execute a campaign or program. These companies may play an active role in executing and promoting a campaign or program but will not influence or change Green America's goals or policy positions.
Disclosure of Funds and Programmatic Independence
Green America discloses the existence of donations, sponsorships, dues, and fees received from companies.
The receipt of company funds does not influence Green America’s position on any issues, or any public statement Green America wishes to make on issues, or critiques of any company’s practices, or campaigns related to those practices. Green America reserves the right to terminate any relationships with a company and/or return company funding at any time.
