Resources
See our new Sustainable Resource Network section here
- this is in direct response to the requests of those attending the July 18 meeting to have a way to connect to each other.
In addition, this page list some other resources that we’ve collected in support of the development of the incubator, and on behalf of our client companies. Please contact us if you’d like to see your information listed here.
Green Politics NJ: http://www.greenpoliticsnj.com now has extensive links regarding green business in New Jersey, as well as links to policy and political sites and to many NJ environmental groups.
http://www.njmcbiz.net/, the NJ Meadowlands Commission’s new Economic Development and Sustainability blog, now lists “information on energy conservation tips, green development and redevelopment guidelines, links to financial incentives offered to green developers…. The blog also features news on teh agency’s economic and development and sustainability initiatives, and will include a Business Spotlight section that profiles Meadowlands District companies.” (Evelyn Lee, NJBiz).
Earlier links:
SKNWorldwide Partner site: http://sknworldwide.net. Our page (login required): http://sknworldwide.net/channels/partner-channels/fduise/fduiseprojects/iseincubator
National Business Incubation Association: http://www.nbia.org/
Latest links on environmental business, climate impacts, etc.
http://www.e2.org/ – Environmental Entrepreneurs (part of NRDC)
E2 is a national community of business people who believe in protecting the environment while building economic prosperity. Working with NRDC, E2 serves as a champion on the economic side of good environmental policy by taking a reasoned, economically sound approach to environmental issues. E2 works at both the state and national levels through its bipartisan efforts. E2 is focused on environmental policies that drive economic growth in a healthy direction.
http://earth2tech.com/ (launched 7/16/07)
…about 6 months ago GigaTeam started to wonder if there wasn’t a need for a blog focused on the intersections between the tech industry, the business of green, and startups that will use technology and innovation to combat climate change.
So we envisioned our site this way: One part clean tech startup coverage – (a quick look at clean tech venture numbers shows the growing ranks of startups in hot areas like solar and biofuels); One part reviews of tech giant’s eco-initiatives (is Google’s carbon neutral initiative more marketing or responsible plan?); One part a resource page for entrepreneurs and Valley types looking for green tech [tools, rules, tips] – LBS meets ethanol?
The site is being edited by Katie Fehrenbacher and working with her is Adena DeMonte, who starts today as a staff writer. She comes from Red Herring and is the newest member of GigaTeam.
Green business links:
http://www.positive-energy.com/
This catalog represents the latest in Green Building technology. Because we do not represent any one manufacturer, we can bring you products that are the top of the line in terms of reliability and ease of installation. In addition to insuring low energy bills, all of the items listed increase the comfort of the dwelling. This makes energy efficiency an easy idea to sell to your clients.
Recommended Readings (SBN Phildelphia)
- Going Local by Michael Shuman
- The Hometown Advantage by Stacy Mitchell
- Natural Capitalism by Paul Hawkin and Amory and Hunter Lovins
- When Corporations Rule the World by David Korten
- Ripples from the Zambezi by Ernesto Sirolli
- Biomimicry by Janine Beynus
- The Nature of Economies by Jane Jacobs
- Cannibals with Forks by John Elkington
- The Natural Step for Business by Brian Natrass and Mary Altomare
- The Case Against the Global Economy — and For a Turn Toward the Local, Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith eds. (1996). This collection of essays from around the world describes campaigns to promote local economic strength and stability as well as analyzing larger issues in the global economy and corporatization.
- Better, Not Bigger by Eben Fodor (1999). Demonstrates often overlooked economic costs of growth and sprawl while promoting human-scale development.
- The Economic Renewal Guide by Michael Kinsley (1997). Introduces the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Economic Renewal Program -plans for building prosperity by thinking outside the conventional development paradigm.
- Making a Place for Community by Williamson, Imbroscio & Alperovitz (2002). A far-reaching and extensively researched exploration of politics, economics and strategies for localization.
Key Articles
Articles on Local Living Economies
Here are some writings that we have found useful in describing living economies:
- Local Living Economies, by Judy Wicks: A socially, environmentally and financially sustainable global economy is dependent on sustainable local economies. Yet, tragically, from American Main Streets, to villages in developing countries, corporate globalization is causing the decline of local communities, local businesses, family farms, and natural habitats. As wealth and power continue to consolidate into growing transnational corporations, small and medium size companies can help turn the tide for social and environmental justice by working together to build local living economies in our own regions, and linking nationally and internationally. Read More…
- Consent of the Governed: The Reign of Corporations and the Fight for Democracy, by Jeffrey Kaplan: “DESCRIBING THE UNITED STATES of the 1830s in his now-famous work, Democracy in America, the young French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville depicted a country passionate about self-governance. In the fifty years since sovereignty had passed from the crown to the people, citizens of the new republic had seized upon every opportunity “to take a hand in the government of society and to talk about it….If an American should be reduced to occupying himself with his own affairs,” wrote de Tocqueville, “half his existence would be snatched from him; he would feel it as a vast void in his life.” Read more…
- From the Preamble to the Earth Charter: We stand at a critical moment in Earth’s history, a time when humanity must choose its future. Read more…
- Living Economies for a Living Planet (Korten 2001): Having reached the limits of an Era of Empire, humanity is compelled to accept responsibility for the consequences of its presence on a finite planet, make a conscious collective choice to leave behind the excesses of its adolescence, and take the step to species maturity. It is the most exciting moment of opportunity in the history of the species. Read more…
http://www.sbnphiladelphia.org/resources/articles/
Links
Info on Local Sustainability Issues
Green Philly Web Log | www.greenphilly.info
Philadelphia: America’s Hometown Weblog | http://americashometown.blogspot.com
Recycling and Reuse
Recycling Services | www.recyclingservices.org
A comprehensive recycling center in Pottstown
Use it Again PA | www.useitagainpa.org
Philly Freecycle | http://groups.yahoo.com/group/phillyfreecycle
An online space for free givin’ & gettin’ stuff!
Restore | www.re-store-online.com
ReStore, an architectural salvage clearing house, was opened with a commitment to respect the resources of the environment by prolonging the life of usable materials. ReStore, in Philadelphia, PA., offers architectural salvage, deconstruction services as well as design consultations.
MACREDO | www.libertynet.org/macredo
The Mid-Atlantic Consortium of Recycling and Economic Development Officials (MACREDO) is an organization of recycling and economic development interests of the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The organization’s mission is to identify, promote, and implement projects and programs that enhance recycling and economic development opportunities on a regional basis.
The Simple Life | www.simplelife.com
This company promotes the use of tree-free, recycled and certified paper. See their book.
Sustainable Food Systems
Fair Food | www.whitedogcafefoundation.org
Farm to City | www.farmtocity.org/splash.asp
PA Association for Sustainable Agriculture | www.pasafarming.org
Urban Nutrition Initiative | www.urbannutrition.org
The Food Trust | www.thefoodtrust.org
Food Routes | www.foodroutes.org
Green Building
Delaware Valley Green Building Council | www.dvgbc.org
United States Green Building Council | www.usgbc.org
World Green Building Council | www.worldgbc.org
The American Institute of Architects | www.aia.org
The American Institute of Architects is the voice of the architecture profession.
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) | www.rmi.org
Responsible Consumerism
Buy Local PA | www.buylocalpa.org
I Buy Different | www.ibuydifferent.org
Resource to teach kids about where products come from
Responsible Shopper | www.responsibleshopper.org
Co-op America | www.coopamerica.org
This 20-year-old nonprofit promotes socially and environmentally responsible business, publishes the national green pages, www.greenpages.org and promotes socially responsible investing through www.socialinvest.org (SVN member).
Council on Economic Priorities | www.cep.org
CEP is a non-profit research organization that analyzes the social and environmental records of organizations to help concerned consumers make informed choices.
Ecodirectory | www.ecodirectory.com
Fair Trade
Transfairusa | www.transfairusa.org
Buy fair trade coffee, chocolate and other imports which support local communities elsewhere.
Equal Exchange | www.equalexchange.com
An award-winning fair trade coffee company dedicated to trading with small scale coffee farmers in Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Fairtrade Federation | www.fairtradefederation.org
GlobalExchange | www.globalexchange.com
This fair trade and human rights organization promotes the use of coffees for which growers have been paid a fair price, emphasizing village cooperatives and small farmers.
Urban Greening
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society | www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org
Philadelphia City Parks Association | www.cityparksphila.org
Mount Airy Greening Network | http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mtairygreening
MAGNET is an all-volunteer group of local residents who have been meeting for the past year to discuss our visions for making Mt Airy a vibrant, livable, walkable urban eco-community!
Free Schuylkill River Park | www.freetheriverpark.org
After 30 years of promises, many false starts, delays and contract disputes, Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River Park Trail is finally taking shape. A new paved recreation path is now operational, connecting Center City with Kelly Drive and West River Drive; lighting is installed and landscaping is planned for the coming year.
Local Environmental Conservation
Brandywine Conservancy | www.brandywineconservancy.org
Natural Lands Trust | www.natlands.org
Preserving the Delaware Valley’s special natural places for more than fifty years.
Penn Environment | www.pennenvironment.org
To overcome the opposition of powerful special interests, PennEnvironment relies on independent research and tough-minded advocacy.
Clean Air Council | www.cleanair.org
Clean Air Council is a member- supported, non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting everyone’s right to breathe clean air. The Council works through public education, community advocacy, and government oversight to ensure enforcement of environmental laws.
The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF) | www.celdf.org
Provides free and affordable legal services to grassroots, community-based groups and local governments working to protect their quality of life and natural environment through building sustainable communities. CELDF is helping townships across Pennsylvania craft anti-corporate farming ordinances to help preserve family farms.
National and International Environmental Conservation
World Resources Institute | www.wri.org
The World Resources Institute is recognized for its depth in research and writing aimed at protecting and enhancing the environment. Recent publications include works focused on improving the management of environmental issues by the private sector
Spirituality and the Environment
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life | www.coejl.org
The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life brings the moral passion of Jewishtradition and social action to environmental stewardship.
GreenFaith | www.greenfaith.org
GreenFaith is an interfaith environmental coalition which seeks to educate, advocate and mobilize the New Jersey faith community on behalf of environmental stewardship and justice. GreenFaith is a registered not-for-profit 501(C)3 corporation in New Jersey and is governed by a board of trustees.
Bioneers | www.bioneers.org
This nonprofit organization connects environmental advocates, scientists, practitioners of green living, and those with a spiritual experience of the environment.
International Symposium on Spirituality and Business | http://www.babson.edu/chapel
Babson College’s annual three-day meeting brings business and spiritual leaders together with participants in facilitated working groups, most recently including leaders from Southwest Airlines, Malden Mills and Timberland.
Transportation
The Pennsylvania Transit Coalition | www.patransit.org
The Pennsylvania Transit Coalition (PTC) is a statewide coalition of individuals and groups that seeks to improve public transit in Pennsylvania. Our immediate goal is to secure the dedicated, predictable funding from the state of Pennsylvania public transit needs
Philly Carshare | www.phillycarshare.org
Car sharing is a transportation service that makes vehicles available to people on a per-use basis. Think of it as a neighborhood-based time-share that allows you to use vehicles when you want to, and pay for only how much you drive. Car sharing provides a way to dramatically reduce the number of cars in an urban area and is a practical way to support your neighborhood and protect the natural environment.
The Bicycle Coalition | www.bicyclecoalition.org
Promoting the bicycle as an environmentally friendly, healthy, and economical form of transportation and recreation through advocacy and education.
SEPTA | www.septa.org
Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers | www.dvarp.org
Alternative Energy
The Energy Cooperative | www.theenergy.coop
Energy Coordinating Agency | www.ecasavesenergy.org
The Philadelphia Million Solar Roofs Community Partnership | www.phillysolar.org
A collaborative of local organizations, businesses, and government agencies committed to helping the five county region of Southeastern Pennsylvania contribute over 500 new solar energy installations by 2010.
Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (Penn Future) | www.pennfuture.org
Advocating for clean energy in the Keystone State.
Alternative Fuels
Clean Cities | www.phillycleancities.org
Clean Cities is a nationwide program to promote the economic and environmental benefits of alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuel.
Philadelphia Fry-o-Diesel | www.fryodiesel.com
Philadelphia Fry-o-Diesel is a Pennsylvania corporation dedicated to the production of renewable, cleaner burning fuel from waste grease. Check back as we build our website and find out what we’re doing to improve air and water quality in the Philadelphia area.
Green Technology
Natural Capitalism | www.natcap.org
The web site for the recent seminal book by Hawken, Lovins and Lovins, Natural Capitalism. The site offers excerpts from the book, a calendar of sustainability-related events, and commentary on the book.
Urban Renewal and New Urbanism
Local Initiatives Support Corporation | www.lisc.org
LISC provides grants, loans and equity investments to CDCs for neighborhood redevelopment. When LISC begins a new program, National LISC matches locally-raised funds and gives that much more to the community for renovation. The CDC then designates the funds to a variety of projects that will best suit the neighborhood, and the renovation begins.
Design Advocacy Group | www.designadvocacy.org
Produces weekly City Space column in back of City Paper, holds monthly meetings on design issues in the city.
Reading Viaduct Project | www.readingviaduct.org
We are a non-profit organization dedicated to the reuse of the Reading Viaduct, an elevated rail structure in Philadelphia, PA.
Philly Green Map | www.phillygreenmap.org
Philly Green Map, as part of the Green Map System, is teaming up with the University of the Arts to research and map Philadelphia’s environmental and cultural triumphs, challenges, and potential successes. A collaborative effort between the Multimedia and Industrial Design departments is taking steps toward collecting location data from Philadelphia’s Center & South City neighborhoods, creating a map for locals, tourists, and environmentalists alike to utilize and share.
Green Map System | www.greenmap.org
Green Map System is a global eco-cultural movement, energized by local knowledge, action and responsibility.
The National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation | www.mainstreet.org
The nation’s clearinghouse for information, technical assistance, research and advocacy on preservation-based commercial district revitalization.
Community Investing
The Reinvestment Fund | www.trfund.com
A Philadelphia-based regional community development financial institution that uses capital and technical expertise to build wealth and create economic opportunity for low wealth communities and low- and moderate-income individuals. The Fund accomplishes its mission through financial support of affordable housing, community service organizations, small businesses, workforce development programs and energy conservation projects.
Murex Investments | www.murexinvests.com
Investing Sustainably
Investors’ Circle | www.investorscircle.net
Started a decade ago to provide a meeting place and information-sharing forum for socially conscious investors, this group is expanding its activities, and membership, for sustainable investing (SVN member).
Calvert Group | www.calvertgroup.com
The home for Calvert Group’s family of socially responsible mutual funds.
Co-op America | www.coopamerica.org
This 20-year-old nonprofit promotes socially and environmentally responsible business, publishes the national green pages, www.greenpages.org and promotes socially responsible investing through www.socialinvest.org (SVN member).
Economic Reform
Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities | www.TrueMajority.org
This flashy and playful web site presents the organization’s views on moving 15% of Pentagon-related tax money to such state and local priorities as education and health care.
Responsible Wealth | www.responsiblewealth.org
This is a national network of businesspeople, investors and affluent Americans concerned about deepening economic inequality who are working for widespread prosperity. They focus on tax fairness, corporate responsibility, and living wages.
Global Sustainability
David Korten’s The People-Centered Development Forum | www.pcdf.org/Living_Economies/I_Intro.htm
“Living Economies: Toward a World that Works for All” is David Korten’s extended essay describing failings of the modern, corporate-based worldwide economic system and how that system can be changed to provide a “living economy” for all.
Bioneers | www.bioneers.org
This nonprofit organization connects environmental advocates, scientists, practitioners of green living, and those with a spiritual experience of the environment.
Engineers for a Sustainable World | www.esustainableworld.org
A nonprofit organization with a network of more than 3000 professionals and students working to reduce poverty and improve global sustainability.
Corporate Social Responsibility
CERES | www.ceres.org
With its origin in the Valdez Principles, CERES is a unique blend of socially responsible investors, including religious community investors, environmentalists and Fortune 1000 companies who agree to try to improve their environmental performance AND tell the public annually how they are doing.
Social Venture Network (SVN) | www.svn.org
Started by socially concerned entrepreneurs and investors in the late 1980’s, SVN brings together entrepreneurs, investors, environmentalists and social activists to promote new ways to make our economic system benefit the natural environment and people, particularly those in need.
Self-Reliance and Independent Business Organizations
BALLE | www.livingeconomies.org
BALLE is currently an alliance of over 20 independently operated local business networks located throughout North America.
The National Center for Economic and Security Alternatives | www.ncesa.org
An independent, politically progressive, nonprofit institute providing research, education and consultation on innovative solutions to problems facing America and the global political-economy. Since its establishment in 1977, the National Center has undertaken research and policy development projects for foundations, federal agencies, state governments and nongovernmental organizations.
Sustainable Communities Network | www.sustainable.org
Helping to build sustainable, livable economies and communities
Ashoka | www.ashoka.org
Ashoka seeks to develop the profession of social entrepreneurship around the world. It invests in extraordinary individuals with unprecedented ideas for change in theri communities. Visit the web site to read about many of the 1,100 Ashoka Fellows from 41 countries.
Association for Enterprise | www.microenterpriseworks.org
The Association for Enterprise Opportunity has launched an initiative entitled Buy ME (Micro Enterprise) that is linking microentrepreneurs and microenterprise development programs to a national marketing campaign as well as strengthening local marketing efforts. A microenterprise is a self-started, very small business that is embedded in the community.
Institute for Local Self-Reliance | www.ilsr.org
New Rules | www.newrules.org
Info on policies local communities have implemented to regain economic power.
AMIBA | www.amiba.net
An IBA is a coalition of local independent businesses, community organizations and community members–your friends and neighbors–united to support community.
Social Entrepreneurship Alliance | www.se-alliance.org
A membership organization leading the creation of a social enterprise movement. We mobilize communities of nonprofit organizations and funders to advance earned income strategies.
Schumacher Society | www.smallisbeautiful.org
Named after the author of Small Is Beautiful: Economics As If People Mattered, an educational non-profit organization founded in 1980. Its programs demonstrate that both social and environmental sustainability can be achieved by applying the values of human-scale communities and respect for the natural environment to economic issues.
Maine Business for Social Responsibility | www.mebsr.org
Since 1993 Maine’s BSR has sought to promote business practices which positively impact employees, the environment, and communities. The web site presents an events list, links to related web sites, to job listings, and white papers on key issues.
Vermont Business for Social Responsibility | www.vbsr.org
The organization’s mission is to foster a business ethic in Vermont that recognizes the opportunity and responsibility of the business community to set a high standard for protecting the natural, human, and economic environments of our citizens. The website provides a livable jobs toolkit, sample business practices, a newsletter, a green tax primer, and links to the web sites of its members and others.
Local Alchemy | www.local-alchemy.net
A UK organization, Local Alchemy brings people together residents, businesses, organizations and public agencies to understand what is really going on, or going wrong, in the local economy and helps find ways to change it. The results are magic: new and growing businesses, better access to business support, and more jobs for local people.
Local First Campaigns
Links to several ongoing campaigns throughout North America: www.livingeconomies.org/localfirst
Economic Impact Studies on Locally-owned versus Publicly-owned Businesses
Overview: http://www.newrules.org/retail/econimpact.html
Austin: http://www.newrules.org/retail/econimpact.html
Maine: http://www.newrules.org/retail/midcoaststudy.pdf
Chicago: http://www.civiceconomics.com/Andersonville/
Vermont Study that showed how cash is leaving their economy: http://www.vtlivablewage.org/jobgapstudy.html
Sprawl/Land Use
Sprawlbusters | www.sprawl-busters.com
An International Clearinghouse on Big Box Anti-Sprawl information.
Sprawlwatch | www.sprawlwatch.org
A Clearinghouse full of information on best land use practices.
Community & Environmental Defense Services | www.CEDS.org
A nationwide network of attorneys, environmental scientists, traffic engineers, planners, political strategists, fund-raisers, and other professionals allied to help people defend their community and environment from the impact of poorly planned land development activities. Find their excellent publication, How to Win Land Development Issues, available as a free download.
Local Currencies
Time Dollars | www.timedollar.org
Time Banks USA’s mission is to build local economies and communities that reward decency, caring and a passion for justice.
Ithaca Hours | www.ithacahours.org
Local currency is money with a geographic boundary around it. Ithaca HOURS can be used within a 20 mile radius of downtown Ithaca (a bit beyond the borders of Tompkins County). This regional boundary helps keep wealth recirculating within our community.
Sustainability in Academia
Bainbridge Island Graduate School | www.bgiedu.org
School for International Training | www.sit.edu
SIT’s Master of Science in Organizational Management gives practitioners theoretical and practical competencies, as well as a thorough understanding of cultural, organizational, and economic contexts in management.
Eastern Universtiy Campolo School for Social Change
The Campolo School exists to prepare Christian change agents compassionate professionals and activist scholars to use their professions and their lives to assist and empower urban communities around the world to transform themselves economically, socially, politically, and spiritually.
Presidio College | www.presidioworldcollege.org
Based in San Francisco,Presidio World College, an affiliate of Alliant International University, offers a distinctive, leading-edge MBA in Sustainable Management.
Wharton Net Impact | www.whartonnetimpact.org
Wharton Net Impact facilitates MBA students’ contribution to innovation at the cusp of business and society. We promote social impact careers and raise awareness of critical issues among the MBA community.
Net Impact National | www.netimpact.org
Net Impact is a powerful and influential network of close to 10,000 MBA students and professionals committed to using the power of business to create a better world. Through education, career resources, events, and access to an international network, Net Impact helps members to utilize their business skills for positive social change.
Models of Sustainability
Sustainable Sweden Association | www.sustainablesweden.org
Sustainable Sweden is a non-profit and a non-governmental organization. Our main objective is to exchange and spread “know-how” in the field of sustainable development. This organization operates tours of a network of eco-municipalities throughout Sweden.
Intervale Foundation | www.intervale.org
The Intervale is a community that develops land and farm-based enterprise to generate economic and social opportunities while protecting natural resources.
Livable Jobs
The Livable Jobs Toolkit | www.vbsr.org/pdf/Toolkit.pdf
The toolkit is a workbook to help businesses create a work/life-friendly workplace, offer an attractive package of combined wages, benefits, and workplace practices and remain profitable at the same time.
National News on Sustainable Business
Corporate Social Responsibility News Wire | www.CSRwire.com
The leading source of corporate responsibility and sustainability, press releases, reports and news
Green at Work Magazine | www.greenatworkmag.com
A compelling, contemporary publication dedicated to telling the stories of ecological pioneers, products and systems that are driving an important change in corporate and bureaucratic America.
Greenbiz | www.greenbiz.com
An online resource for Responsible Businesses. Subscribe to their newsletter, the Green Buz!
Independent Media
YES! A Journal of Positive Futures | www.yesmagazine.org
This is the flagship publication of the Positive Futures Network. PFN is a nonprofit organization which describes itself as dedicated to supporting people’s active engagement in creating a more just, sustainable, and compassionate world.
Utne Magazine | www.utne.com
Founded in 1984 by Eric Utne, UTNE READER reprints articles from over 2,000 alternative media sources bringing the latest ideas and trends, including arts and culture, the environment, society and money.
Independent Media Center | www.phillyimc.org
Scribe | www.scribe.org
A Philadelphia-based non-profit organization, was founded in 1982 as a place where people could work together and gain skills in media making. Scribe Video Center seeks to explore, develop and advance the use of video as an artistic medium and as a tool for progressive social change. “Scribe” is a metaphor for the use of video as a modern medium to record significant contemporary concerns and events.
In Business Magazine | www.jgpress.com
The publishers describe their 20-year-old journal of readable case studies on small, sustainable businesses as dedicated to helping innovative individuals grow sustainable enterprises and put smart growth strategies into real world practice. The companion magazine, Biocycle focuses on the composting business.
Arts and Culture
The Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance | www.philaculture.org
Supporting local arts and culture in Philly
The Center For Emerging Visual Artists | www.cfeva.org
The Center For Emerging Visual Artists, formerly Creative Artists Network, was founded in 1984 by Bebe Benoliel to encourage the career development of emerging visual artists. Since then, the organization has worked steadily harder to provide the support essential to talented individuals building careers in the visual arts. The Center dedicates itself to making art careers viable for those who choose them, helping emerging artists reach their audiences, and promoting interest and understanding of emerging visual art among citizens of the community
Reversing Global Corporatization, Promoting Community Empowerment and Democracy
ReclaimDemocracy | www.ReclaimDemocracy.org
Actively works to restore democratic authority over corporations, revoke the power of money to control government and civic society, and revive democracy in the US. Their website is a terrific resource for illuminating and eliminating the root causes of top-of-the-news problems and issues.
Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy (POCLAD) | www.poclad.org
The pre-eminent research group on corporate, labor and legal histories, rethinking organizing strategies and shedding light on democracy movements.
New Economics Foundation | www.neweconomics.org
NEF works with all sections of society in the UK and internationally – civil society, government, individuals, businesses and academia – to create more understanding and strategies for change.
Trade Associations Doing Notable Work to Help Independent Businesses
American Booksellers Association | www.bookweb.org
The national trade association for our nation’s wonderful independent booksellers–Independent Bookstores for Independent Minds.
Booksense | www.Booksense.com
Looking for a book on the web? You don’t have to compromise your convictions! Visit booksense.com for a great alternative that supports community-based bookstores when you don’t have one in your hometown! Their services include gift certificates good at over 1000 participating independent stores.
Abebooks | Abebooks.com
Your search for that hard-to-find or out-of-print book might end with abebooks.com, a service that searches the nation’s independent bookstores for your request.
American Specialty Toy Retailing Association | www.astratoy.org
The national trade association for independent toy stores and manufacturers of those unique, creative, well-made toys we all love. Use ASTRA’s toy store finder to locate a unique toy store near you!
Association of Retail Travel Agents | www.artaonline.com
The largest nonprofit association in North America that represents independent travel agents.
Independent Community Banks of America | www.ibaa.org
The only national trade association dedicated to community banks — aggregating their political power, providing industry information and training, and providing products and services.
Carpet One | www.carpetone.com
An excellent resource for locating a local, independent carpet store near you.
Independent Grocers Association (IGA) | www.iga.com
Find an independent grocer committed to community near you!
National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA) | www.ncga.coop
Identifies, develops and implements effective strategies for coordination and collaboration between regional Cooperative Grocers Associations.
National Coop Business Association (NCBA) | www.ncba.coop
An association serving all types of cooperative business. You can find a cooperative business or find out how to start one–all in one place.
Find a Co-op | www.cooperativegrocer.coop
If you want to find a co-op grocery near you or on your travels, do your search at the Cooperative Grocer Online. The site also provides useful links for folks in the co-op grocery business.
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America | www.independentagent.com
The nation’s oldest and largest independent agent and association. Use the site to find an independent agent.
The Utility Connection | www.utilityconnection.com
Provides a search tool for publicly-owned natural gas and electricity providers nationwide.
Links from the New Jersey Sustainable State Institute for businesses
The following websites provide general information on sustainability for businesses and organizations. More websites which address specific aspects of sustainability can be viewed through the links at the top of this page.
The College of New Jersey: Community Planning
http://www.tcnj.edu/~mluc/community/index.html
Website provides information on building livable communities, green building, funding in the state of New Jersey, and more.
CoolCompanies
http://www.cool-companies.org/homepage.cfm
CoolCompanies is a project of the non-profit Center for Energy & Climate Solutions. The center helps businesses, government, and environmental organizations develop technological, strategic, financial, and regulatory tools to foster the adoption of clean solutions. The website features a ‘how-to’ guide, ‘cool’ strategies for hotels, data centers, and big box retailers, and more.
Co-op America
http://www.coopamerica.org/
Co-op America’s mission is to harness economic power – the strength of consumers, investors, and businesses – to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society. The website provides information for businesses and individuals on sustainable living and information on sustainability in companies whose products you may use.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (US Department of Energy)
http://www.eere.energy.gov/
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy provides energy efficiency information for consumers and businesses and an educational website for children.
The Future 500
http://www.future500.org
The Future 500 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to forging links between corporations and stakeholders to advance global citizenship. They offer consulting services and many web based resources.
Green Home
http://greenhome.com/
Green Home offers solutions on how to buy green products for your home and for your business.
The Global Environmental Management Initiative
http://www.gemi.org/
A learning collaborative of businesses who believe that improving environmental performance and promoting corporate citizenship contribute to financial success and shareholder value. The experiences of Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) member companies – and organizations worldwide – support this management approach.
The Global Reporting Initiative
http://www.globalreporting.org
Develops and disseminates globally applicable “Stainability Reporting Guidelines” for voluntary use by organisations (focusing on major corporations) reporting on their economic, social, and environmental performance.
Institute for Local Self Reliance
http://www.ilsr.org/
Institute for Local Self Reliance provides technical assistance and information on environmentally sounce economic development strategies. ILSR works with citizen groups, governments and private businesses in developing policies that extract the maximum value from local resources.
New Jersey Clean Power Choice Program
http://www.njcleanpower.com/
The Clean Power Choice Program from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities’ Office of Clean Energy is a statewide program that allows you to support the development of clean, renewable sources of energy.
The New Jersey Smart Growth Gateway
http://www.smartgrowthgateway.org/
The New Jersey Smart Growth Gateway features resources for local government officials, civic leaders, and concerned citizens with information on smart growth strategies.
Next Step: Minnesota Sustainable Communities Network
http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/index.cfm
Website features a variety of information including: agriculture, buildings, business, communities, ecosystems, land use, education, energy, individual choices, and national and global sustainability.
Renewable Energy Policy Project & CREST (Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technology)
http://www.crest.org/
Information is provided on different types of renewable energy such as hydro, geothermal, and wind, as well as policy and efficiency facts.
Smart Communities Network
http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/
Smart Communities Network offers great resources, tools, and links to articles and publications, and community success stories on a variety of topics from Community Energy, to Green Development, to Sustainable Business.
The Sustainability Institute
http://www.sustainer.org/
The Sustainability Institute website features information on sustainability for leaders in nonprofits, government, and business.
Travel Matters
http://www.travelmatters.org/
Travel Matters offers a trio of resources—interactive emissions calculators, on-line emissions maps, and a wealth of educational content—to emphasize the close relationship between more efficient transit systems and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Union of Concerned Scientists
http://www.ucsusa.org/
Learn about global warming and sustainable energy, vehicles, food and more.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Sustainability
http://www.epa.gov/sustainability/
Provides a wide range of information on sustainability.
U.S. Green Building Council
http://www.usgbc.org/
The USCBC is a community of leaders working to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. Website provides information on LEED Green Building Rating System.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
http://www.wbcsd.org/
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a CEO-led, global association of some 190 companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development. The Council provides a platform for companies to explore sustainable development, share knowledge, experiences and best practices, and to advocate business positions on these issues in a variety of forums, working with governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations.
From Community Green (http://communitygreen.org)
Volunteer Organizations / Environmental Causes:
www.circleoflifefoundation.org
Networking Groups:
Volunteer Organizations / Environmental Causes:
www.circleoflifefoundation.org
Information & Products:
