Posts Tagged nonprofit

2012 Greening the Culture Campaign Convenes at the Brooklyn Borough Hall February 28, 2012; Discussion of "Jobs and Entrepreneurial Creation in the Urban Market"

Contact: Shermaine Sacasa

Phone: (786) 355-4855

Greening the Culture Campaign PRESS CONFERENCE

NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 6, 2012 In its fifth year, The Greening the Culture Campaign continues to grow in scope, reach and purpose. With a timely and relevant theme of “Jobs and Entrepreneurship Creation in the Urban Market”, the 2012 NYC campaign events, including the Churches Go Green Initiative and the NYC Green Festival, is convening this press conference at The Brooklyn Borough Hall, at 10am on Feburary 28th 2012 to discuss this auspicious partnership intended to bring green jobs to the community. The pinnacle of this campaign, the UrbanGoGreen Green Economy Expo will be at the New York City Green Festival on April 21- 22, 2012 at the Javits Center North. This is made possible by a partnership with Green Festival, a project of Green America and Global Exchange.
The “Greening the Culture” campaign is an ongoing response-driven marketing initiative that uses social media, traditional marketing and special events to effectively educate the urban market about the opportunities and benefits of professional and personal engagement in the green economy. The 2012 “Greening the Culture” campaign is a collaborative partnership between UrbanGoGreen; The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); The Economic Literacy Coalition and the 2012 NYC Green Festival.

The 2012 “Greening the Culture” campaign seeks to ambitiously tackle unemployment. “said Rev. Dennis Dillon, campaign supporter and one of New York’s leading voices on issues of Black economic empowerment, labor and consumer spending.

Founder and CEO of UrbanGoGreen, Duval Osiris James states, “Green service providers need to market their products and services to reach new communities. Individuals and businesses need to save money and want to upgrade to green products and services. And there are a lot of unemployed people all over New York City that we can put to work right now, helping these green service providers to grow and reach this untapped market.”

In addition to promoting green and clean tech career opportunities and raising public awareness about the personal and community benefits of upgrading to green products and services, the campaign provides green and environmentally friendly companies with effective and affordable opportunities to reach a growing urban eco-conscious community.

A partner in this effort is the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). NYSERDA ’s role in this partnership will be to introduce its energy efficiency programs that help residential owners, renters, the low-income as well as small businesses reduce their energy use. By providing incentives to encourage participation in these programs, end users of NYSERDA’s programs not only reduce their carbon footprint but eventually produce a positive cash flow with work that ends up paying for itself through energy savings. NYSERDA also has a broad network of contracting companies that actually do the work, providing job opportunities as well as business growth. In addition, NYSERDA provides workforce development training on various aspects of the energy efficiency field.
The “Greening the Culture” campaign New York Church launch will bring together public private churches, community based organizations and seasoned environmental professionals.
Guests will include representatives from the fashion, banking, eco-arts, legal, real estate,
telecommunications, nonprofit, and entertainment industries. In addition to providing an
amazing event and serving as a fund-raiser for the organization, this event will showcase the
products and services of local green companies, entrepreneurs and artists.  The Churches Go Green speaking tour and seminar series challenges churches to save money by becoming more energy efficient and encourages their congregations to reduce their carbon footprint. The exhibitions will focus on the economic opportunities in the green economy and how churches can help members of their congregations to tap into the jobs and business opportunities.

UrbanGoGreen will partner with Green America to host the New York City Green Festival and present the UrbanGoGreen 2011 Green Economy Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan.  At NYC Green Festival, attendees learn how to green their homes, find a green job, hear inspiring speakers, participate in DIY workshops, see the latest in eco-fashion, taste delicious local foods, enjoy family activities, see a film festival and shop at the nation’s largest green marketplace with over 250 businesses committed to sustainable practices. UrbanGoGreen’s Green Economy Jobs and Opportunity Expo presents programming for entrepreneurs and citizens seeking
 to understand and benefit from sustainable economics and the opportunities of the green economy.

Contact:
To request information about the 2012 Greening the Culture Campaign contact: Shermaine Sacasa at 786-355-4855, premiumsn@gmail.com or info@urbangogreen.com
To learn how to sponsor or purchase vendor space contact:sponsor@urbangogreen.com.

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Ford Motor Company and Green Festival to Award Community Green Grant in Los Angeles, San Francisco

“Do you live in or near Los Angeles or San Francisco? Do you have a great sustainable idea? Do you need a grant to possibly make it happen? Can you articulate that idea in 500 or less words? Well, theFord Motor Company and Green Festival have teamed up to award a grant to a sustainable idea. That idea could very well be yours.

The partnership will award a $5,000 Community Green Grant during the up and coming  Los Angeles and San Francisco Green Festivals. That’s a $5,000 Grant for an idea at each of the cities Green Festivals.

The idea can be almost anything, from almost anybody. Recipients could be a non-profit or an individual. The idea can be really big, or really small. The idea just has to be “original, innovative and capable of being implemented in your local community.”’

Ford Motor Company and Green Festival to Award Community Green Grant in Los Angeles, San Francisco via Jonathan Mariano - Triple Pundit

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GREEN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY IN SAN FRANCISCO

CONTACT:
SAEGERMEDIAGROUP, Inc.
Katy Saeger
katy@saegermediagroup.com
310.935.3883

Green Festival celebrates 10 years in San Francisco November 12-13, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO - The nation’s premier green living event returns to San Francisco Concourse Exhibition Center November 12-13, 2011. This year, Green Festival celebrates a ten-year milestone with over one million attendees in eight cities.

This unique experience celebrates positive solutions working in our communities.  It’s where people come to meet renowned authors, actors, visionaries and community leaders; shop with hundreds of green businesses; participate in DIY workshops; enjoy live music and local vegan and vegetarian cuisine; and join friends at the organic beer and wine garden.

San Francisco leaders are supporting the 10th anniversary.  According to Mayor Edwin M. Lee,   “I applaud Green Festival on its tenth anniversary of bringing together key environmental thought leaders and the best in green economy innovations.” Supervisor John Avalos of the Board of Supervisors commented, “We welcome Green Festival back to San Francisco, it’s a great event to bring your families.”

Ten stages and pavilions will host more than 125 inspirational and educational speakers, including Amy Goodman, Rev Lennox Yearwood of the Hip Hop Caucus, John Perkins, Frances Moore Lappe, Laura Flanders, Mark Hertsgaard, Anuradha Mittal, Q’orianka Kilcher, John Robbins, Jeffrey Smith, and a special tribute to Wangari Maathai.

With the holiday season just around the corner, Green Festival is the perfect location to support local businesses all in one location.  The Green Marketplace profiles hundreds of green and socially responsible businesses and organizations. Attendees browse everything from green, non-toxic home furnishings to organic clothing to Fair Trade gifts, children’s toys and much more.

“By bringing together all the parts of the next economy—the green economy—the Green Festivals follow the core principle of Mother Nature: unity of diversity,” says Green Festival co-founder Kevin Danaher. “Instead of waiting for elites to reform the economy from the top down, we are constructing a new economic model from the grassroots up.”

“Whether you go to shop, learn, or experience art and music, Green Festival has it all, it’s a great place to celebrate what’s working in our communities and find the sustainable solutions that fit your lifestyle,” says Denise Hamler, Green Festival Director.

Green Festival offers something for the entire family. Peruse the latest in earth-friendly fashions. View socially and environmentally impactful film shorts at the Sierra Club Green Cinema. Learn by doing at hands-on DIY workshops and gain practical green tips you can apply to your everyday life. Empower your inner entrepreneur with Green Business Seminars and find your next green career at the Green Career Resource Center.

With special performances by Destiny Arts Youth Performance Company, Evelie Delino Sales Posch with the Spiral Dance Chorus and Band, Banana Slug String Band, Valerie Orth, David Young and DJ Sister Yasmin.

Check out the latest in all-electric and hybrid transportation at the Ford Pavilion and enjoy a test drive right at the Green Festival.  Join Ford in celebrating social and environmental innovation in the community and vote for the finalists who will win a $5,000 Ford Community Green Grant.

A joint project of Green America and Global Exchange, Green Festival is a non-profit 501c3 event to explore and build sustainable solutions for successful communities and a healthier environment.

Engage with Green Festivals online at www.GreenFestivals.org.

Connect with Green Festival on Facebook and Twitter @GreenFestival.

Sign up for the Green Festival Newsletter at www.greenfestivals.org/newsletter for program updates and giveaway opportunities.

Become a Green Festival volunteer and get free admission volunteer@greenfestivals.org.

Green Festival Partners make the event possible: Clif Bar, Ford Motor, Renewal by Anderson, Ben and Jerry’s, New York Times, O Organics/Bright Green, New Resource Bank, Earth Balance,  BRITA, Calvert, Consumer Reports, DotGreen, Essentia, Four Green Steps, Green Bash, Manitoba Harvest, Numi Tea, Zu-Kay, Book Publishing Company, and Democracy Now.

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About Green America

Green America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, providing the economic strategies, organizing power and practicing tools for businesses and individuals to address today’s social and environmental problems. Its Green Business Network is the largest national network of businesses screened for their social and environmental responsibility.  www.greenamericatoday.org

About Global Exchange

Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Since its founding in 1988, Global Exchange has successfully increased public awareness of root causes of injustice while building international partnerships and mobilizing for change. www.globalexchange.org

About Seven-Star, Inc.

Seven-Star, Inc. is the nation’s premier green full-service event company focusing exclusively on green events. Since 1999, Seven-Star has provided turn-key green event services for environmentally responsible and socially respectful (eR/sR) festivals, trade and consumer expositions, conferences and concerts. Events include the greening of the 2007 International Live Earth events, 2008 Democratic National Convention events, and Green Festivals. Seven-Star is the first event company to win the EPA’s Gold Waste Wise Award for Excellence in recognition for their proprietary system of event waste diversion, which has consistently achieved greater than 92%.www.sevenstarevents.com

San Francisco 2011 Green Festival Program Highlights:

  • Eco-Fashion Showcase
  • Sustainable Home and Garden Pavilion
  • Do-It-Yourself Workshops
  • Green Kids’ Zone
  • Green Business Pavilion
  • Green Jobs and Careers
  • Green Investing
  • Green Building Pavilion
  • Renewable Energy
  • Beer and Wine Pavilion
  • Organic Local Food
  • Ford Pavilion
  • Fair Trade Pavilion
  • Community Action Pavilion
  • Acoustic Music Café
  • Sierra Club Green Cinema
  • Youth Programs
  • Zero-waste Tour

San Francisco Green Festival

November 12-13

Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm

Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm

Concourse Exhibition Center

8th Street at Brannan, San Francisco

Pricing:

$10 all access weekendpass (online) with two gifts.

$10 day at the door

$15 weekend at the door

Green Festival Fan Package  – weekend pass for 2 — $48 (online) with gifts or $55 (at door)

Free Admission:
Youth under 18, seniors, union members, cyclists (with use of bike valet), volunteers and Green America and Global Exchange members.

Event contact: June Brashares

Event phone contact: 415-425-3733

Event email contact: june@greenfestivals.org

Second Event Contact: Bryan Ting

Second Event phone contact: 925-788-7797

Second Event email contact: bryan.ting@greenfestivals.org

Event category: green, family, festival, education, expo

Ongoing Event (y or n)  Y – annual event

Short Event Description:

Green Festival, the nation’s largest and most trusted green living event returns to San Francisco for its 10th year on November 12-13, 2011. This unique experience celebrates positive solutions working in our communities. Festivities include presentations by more than 125 renowned authors and inspiring visionaries, DIY workshops, cutting-edge films, enriching kid’s and youth activities, organic beer and wine, delicious organic vegan and vegetarian cuisine, music and art and an amazing marketplace of hundreds of green local and national businesses and organizations.

Shorter Event Description:

Green Festival, the nation’s largest, most trusted green living event returns to San Francisco for its 10th year on November 12-13, 2011.  Meet and hear renowned authors and  inspiring visionaries. Participate in DIY workshops. Enjoy films, fun kid’s activities, organic vegan & vegetarian cuisine, local beer & wine, music & art and a diverse marketplace of green businesses & organizations.

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Sustainable Works 2011 Fundraiser – Spreading Sustainablility – October 6th 6pm-11pm

Join Sustainable Works for their annual fundraiser:

Spreading Sustainability

Thursday October 6th

6pm-11pm

Santa Monica Lexus Showroom
1501 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA

Beer and Wine Bar
Eco- fabulous Silent Auction and Drawing
Organic, local cuisine
Eco Star Award Winners

Sponsors include: CBS5, Co-Opportunity Natural Foods, Santa Monica Daily Press, Sheraton Delfina-Santa Monica, HBO

Stop by the Green Festival table and say hi to our Los Angeles Marketing Director, Daniela Meltzer, and find out how you can score Green Festival Tickets from nonprofit ally, Sustainable Works!

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Sierra Salon at Hibiscus Restaurant – October 10, 6pm-8pm

Join Sierra Club SF Bay Chapter for a special evening honoring long-time Sierra Club activist and volunteer leader, Norman LaForce of El Cerrito. Norman has been Chapter Chair, West Contra Costa Group Chair, Chair of the Chapter’s legal committee and Chair of the East Bay Public Lands Committee. He is the former mayor of El Cerrito.

In addition, the special guest and speaker for the event is Nancy O’Malley, Alameda County District Attorney. Ms. O’Malley has an impressive record of protecting the environment through her Consumer and Environmental Protection department and is considered a national leader for the strong work she and her staff are doing to protect the environment.

Use secure checkout to purchase your tickets online today. For more information on sponsorships, tickets, and other ways for you to participate please phone 510-848-0800 or email karolo.aparicio@sierraclub.org.

$50 per member / $75 non-members*

Includes one glass of wine and delicious Caribbean inspired hors d’ouevres.

* If you are not a member of the Sierra Club, you can sign up here.Join the Sierra Club today! (and get a free backpack!) 

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Green Festival Comes to Los Angeles

“For the past ten years, the Green Festival has been an annual or bi-annual event in San Francisco.  The Green Festival has also taken place elsewhere across the country, with Chicago, Seattle, and Washington D.C. to name a few locations.  Now, for the first time in its decade of existence, the Green Festival is coming to Los Angeles.

The Green Festival will be in Los Angeles from October 29-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“This unique experience celebrates positive solutions working in our communities.  It’s where people come to meet renowned authors, actors, visionaries and community leaders; shop with hundreds of green businesses; participate in DIY workshops; enjoy live music and local vegan and vegetarian cuisine; and join friends at the organic beer and wine garden.”’

Green Festival Comes to Los Angeles via Jonathan Mariano – Triple Pundit

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GREEN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY OCTOBER 29-30

The nation’s largest green living event comes to Los Angeles Convention Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACTS: Georgia Malki
Denise Hamler
Phone: 828-333-9403 x 125
202-872-5303
Georgia@sevenstarevents.com
denisehamler@greenamerica.org

Summer Eco-Fashion at Green Festival

LOS ANGELES – The nation’s premier green living event comes to Los Angeles October 29-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year, Green Festival celebrates a ten year milestone with over one million attendees in eight cities.

This unique experience celebrates positive solutions working in our communities.  It is where people come to meet renowned authors, actors, visionaries and community leaders; shop with hundreds of green businesses; participate in DIY workshops; enjoy live music and local vegan and vegetarian cuisine; and join friends at the organic beer and wine garden.

“In Mayor’s Villaraigosa ongoing commitment to make Los Angeles one of the world’s Greenest Cities,  he is happy to welcome Green Festival  to Los Angeles and looks forward to opening the festival on October 29th, says Romel Pascual, Deputy Mayor of Environment for Los Angles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa.

Ten stages and pavilions will host more than 125 inspirational and educational speakers and teachers, including: Dolores Huerta, Amy Goodman, Tom Hayden, Marianne Williamson, Rev. Lennox Yearwood and the Hip Hop Caucus, John Perkins, Starhawk, Mark Hertsgaard, David Korten, Jeffrey Smith, Jodie Evans and many more.

Spanish language programming will include Latino cooking demonstrations, greening your home and garden, and activities for the whole family at the Green Kid’s Zone.

“We are excited to host the inaugural Green Festival in Los Angeles and bring Angelenos together to learn how to bring sustainability into their lives,” says Jonathan Parfrey, Climate Resolve Executive Director and a commissioner at the Department of Water & Power Board.  ”For those of us who care about Los Angeles and its future, the Green Festival is a place to talk about climate change and how to prepare to adapt.”

With the holiday season just around the corner, Green Festival is the perfect location to support local businesses all in one location.  The Green Marketplace profiles hundreds of green and socially responsible businesses and organizations. Attendees browse everything from green, non-toxic home furnishings to organic clothing to Fair Trade gifts, children’s toys and much more.

“Whether you go to shop, learn, or experience art and music, Green Festival has it all, it is a great place to celebrate what is working in our communities and find the sustainable solutions that fit your lifestyle,” says Denise Hamler, Green Festival Director.

Green Festival offers something for the entire family. Peruse the latest in earth-friendly casual wear and couture in the eco-fashion show. View socially and environmentally impactful film shorts at the Communications Revolution Stage and the Sierra Club Green Cinema. Discover the latest in environmentally responsible construction materials and methods in the Green Building Pavilion. Move and meditate in the Yoga and Movement Pavilion. Empower your inner entrepreneur and find your next green career with Green Business Seminars.

Check out the latest in all-electric and hybrid transportation at the Ford Pavilion and enjoy a test drive right at the Green Festival.  Join Ford in celebrating social and environmental innovation in the community and vote for local individuals and nonprofits to win a $5,000 Ford Community Green Grant.

A joint project of Green America and Global Exchange, Green Festival is a non-profit 501c3 event to explore and build sustainable solutions for successful communities and a healthier environment.

Engage with Green Festivals online at www.GreenFestivals.org.

Connect with Green Festival on Facebook and Twitter @GreenFestival.

Sign up for the Green Festival Newsletter at www.greenfestivals.org/newsletter for program updates and giveaway opportunities.

Become a Green Festival volunteer and get free admission volunteer@greenfestivals.org.

Green Festival Partners make the event possible: Ford, The Los Angeles Times, Sierra Club, Earth Balance and Democracy Now.

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About Green America

Green America is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, providing the economic strategies, organizing power and practicing tools for businesses and individuals to address today’s social and environmental problems. Its Green Business Network is the largest national network of businesses screened for their social and environmental responsibility.  www.greenamerica.org

About Global Exchange

Global Exchange is a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Since its founding in 1988, Global Exchange has successfully increased public awareness of root causes of injustice while building international partnerships and mobilizing for change. www.globalexchange.org

About Seven-Star, Inc.

Seven-Star, Inc. is the nation’s premier green full-service event company focusing exclusively on green events. Since 1999, Seven-Star has provided turn-key green event services for environmentally responsible and socially respectful (eR/sR) festivals, trade and consumer expositions, conferences and concerts. Events include the greening of the 2007 International Live Earth events, 2008 Democratic National Convention events, and Green Festivals. Seven-Star is the first event company to win the EPA’s Gold Waste Wise Award for Excellence in recognition for their proprietary system of event waste diversion, which has consistently achieved greater than 92%.www.sevenstarevents.com

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The Green Festival Hits Seattle THIS Weekend!

“AM 1090 wants YOU to go GREEN at the Seattle Green Festival, THIS WEEKEND at Qwest Event Center!

Join AM 1090 & Don Willis Furniture for the Festival at the Qwest Field Event Center THIS  Saturday, May 21, 2011 10am – 7pm & Sunday, May 22, 2011 11am – 6pm! PLUS when you stop by our booth, you can enter to win 2 Natural Cedar Adirondack chairs courtesy of Don Willis Furniture!”

The Green Festival Hits Seattle THIS Weekend! via CBS Seattle

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100,000 Expected to Participate in World Fair Trade Day Events Across North America

Hundreds of sessions to educate the public on the benefits of fair trade and provide samples of products from around the globe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 5, 2011 A record 100,000 people across the US and Canada are expected to participate in hundreds of events over the next two weeks to mark World Fair Trade Day, which is May 14, 2011. Cities, towns, churches, groups and individuals are planning events to highlight social, economic and environmental benefits to buying Fair Trade. The events include Fair Trade festivals, Fair Trade coffee breaks, webinars and Fair Trade artisan tours among others.

For information about World Fair Trade Day events in your area or to find out more information about the benefits of buying Fair Trade, go to http://www.fairtraderesource.org/wftd/.

Many Americans are unaware how many day-to-day items are produced in abusive labor conditions which include sweatshops and child labor. These items include clothing, furniture, and foods such as coffee, chocolate and sugar. The Fair Trade system helps producers and suppliers earn a living wage and take steps to protect the environment. It also serves to empower individuals and communities, support women’s and children’s rights, promote dignity and respect, and connect developing nations with developed nations and markets.

World Fair Trade Day national campaign coordinator, and Executive Director, Fair Trade Resource Network Jeff Goldman, said: “the meaningful activities comprising this largest Fair Trade event in North America allow adults and kids to learn about empowering marginalized people while celebrating justice and sustainability with hundreds of thousands worldwide.”

Examples of World Fair Trade Day events around the U.S. include:

  • Texas. Austin Fair Trade Film Festival, May 12-14 at various locations. Events include a short film competition, a Fair Trade wine and chocolate pairing event, and the Fair Trade film festival and global market.
  • Illinois. Chicago World Fair Trade Day celebration, May 6, 2011 at Daley Plaza. Companies will be selling Fair Trade gifts, coffee, chocolate and more and there will be programs and world music played throughout the day. Additionally there will be a Fair Trade pavilion at the Chicago Green Festival on May 14-15 at McCormick Place in Lakeside, IL where non-profits and Fair Trade vendors will be on hand.
  • New York State. Several upstate events are planned, including a World Fair Trade Day celebration in Albany on May 13th at the Ten Thousand Villages store, and a Fair Trade/Coffee Break Celebration in Rochester on May 14th at One World Goods.
  • Oregon. A variety of events in Portland to include an informational Fair Trade 101 Panel Discussion at Kells Irish Pub on May 9th, and the St. Andrew/Catholic Relief Services World Fair Trade Day celebration on May 15th featuring music, food, crafts, and informational talks.
  • Florida. A Fair Trade wine tasting in Orlando on May 15, at the Lake Eola Farmers Market. This event will also feature food, live music, and local craft vendors.

Major sponsors of World Fair Trade Day include nonprofit and faith-based organizations, such as Green America, Catholic Relief Services, Fair Trade Towns and Fair Trade USA, as well as retail companies, such as Ben and Jerry’s, Fair Trade Apparel, Green Mountain Coffee, Lucuma Designs, Wholesome Sweeteners and Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. Regular sponsors include Fair for Life Social & Fairtrade Certified, Fair World Project, Global Exchange, Indigenous Designs, Maggie’s Organics, Theo Chocolate and WorldofGood.com by eBay.

ABOUT FAIR TRADE RESOURCE NETWORK

Founded in 1999, the Fair Trade Resource Network (FTRN) seeks to build a more just and sustainable world by gathering, developing, and disseminating educational resources about Fair Trade. FTRN is the only non-profit organization in the world focused exclusively on Fair Trade education, helping people to better understand the impact of their buying decisions.

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Ford and Green Festival Give Organizations a Chance to Make a Difference with Community Green Grants

  • Ford and the Green Festival are teaming up to invite organizations and communities to propose innovative and impactful ideas that would improve the environment in their local communities with a $5,000 Community Green Grant
  • The Green Festival and Community Green Grant will travel to Chicago, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco this year. Entries for the grant to be awarded at the Chicago Green Festival are due by May 7
  • As a corporate innovator partner of all five 2011 Green Festivals being held across the U.S., Ford will have a presence at each event that includes a display at the Ford Pavilion, test drives of hybrids and electrified vehicles, and a Ford executive speaker on the company’s sustainability and green vehicle strategy

Dearborn, Mich., May 3, 2011 – Ford and the Green Festival have teamed up to find and fund the most innovative projects to improve the environment in five U.S. cities. The Community Green Grant program challenges organizations and individuals to propose impactful ideas that would improve the environment in their local communities prior to the start of a local Green Festival. Attendees at the Green Festival in each city will vote to select the project proposal that will receive the $5,000 Community Green Grant.

“Being an environmentally responsible company is a key part of the Ford corporate identity,” said John Viera, Ford director of Sustainability & Vehicle Environmental Matters. “By working with the Green Festival, we are able to extend this sustainable thinking beyond Ford and do something tangible and permanent to improve the local community following each event.”

Before each event opening, a panel from Green Festival and Ford will select a group of Community Green Grant finalists from among the proposals submitted. During the Green Festival, the finalists’ project proposals will be presented in the Ford Pavilion, with the winner of the Community Green Grant chosen by a vote of festival attendees.

“We’re so pleased to be partnering with Ford to bring the Community Green Grant program to all of the Green Festival cities,” said Greg Roberts, Green Festival producer. “I am confident we will receive some very creative project proposals from the many people and organizations who participate in the events.”

Attendees will vote on the grant finalists throughout the two-day event. The votes will be tallied on-site and the winning project proposal will be announced on the final afternoon of the Green Festival.

“The Green Festival is a great fit for Ford because it’s a way to connect with the most passionate and environmentally concerned consumers,” said Viera. “We can share our sustainability strategy and have a two-way dialogue about how we can work together to improve the environment.”

As a corporate innovator partner, Ford will have a presence at each of the Green Festivals that includes a display at the Ford Pavilion, test drives of hybrids and electrified vehicles, and a presentation by a Ford executive speaker who will discuss the company’s sustainability and green vehicle strategy.

Sustainable ideas
The first $5,000 Community Green Grant will be awarded during the Chicago Green Festival, May 14-15. Later in 2011, the Green Festival and Community Green Grant will travel to Seattle, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Entries for each festival must be received by the following dates:

Chicago, May 7
Seattle, May 14
New York, Sept. 24
Los Angeles, Oct. 22
San Francisco, Nov. 5

Ideas can be submitted to communitygreengrant@actionpartners.com or mailed to:

Attn: Community Green Grant
3020 Carbon Place, Suite 300
Boulder, CO 80301

Blueprint for Sustainability
Ford’s corporate sustainability strategy encompasses a wide range of efforts, such as the improved energy efficiency of its facilities around the world, the reduction of CO2 emissions of its vehicles, and accelerated development of more fuel-efficient and alternative-fuel vehicles. For additional information, see Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability at http://www.ford.com/about-ford/company-information/corporate-sustainability.

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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 166,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visitwww.ford.com.

About Green Festival
At Green Festival®, a project of Green America and Global Exchange, we’re celebrating what’s working in our communities and around the world – for people, business and the environment. Think of Green Festival® as a walk through a sustainable community. It begins with finding solutions to help make our lives healthier-socially, economically and environmentally. Individuals, business and community leaders come together to discuss critical issues that impact us at home and abroad. Organizations and businesses showcase programs and products that restore the planet and all that inhabit it. Neighbor-to-neighbor connections are formed and skills are shared to empower people to create positive change in the world.www.greenfestivals.org

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