Financing School Sustainability:
Revolving Green Funds

A Revolving Green Fund (RGF) is a self-sustaining funding mechanism that helps schools invest in sustainability projects—like energy efficiency upgrades or water conservation—without requiring new budget allocations each year. Here’s how it works:
→ The school makes an initial investment in a green project
→ That project generates cost savings (e.g., lower utility bills)
→ A portion (or all) of the savings is returned to the fund
→ The fund is then used for future projects—so the cycle continues!

Why Use One?
RGFs create a continuous loop of funding that grows your school’s sustainability impact over time. They help overcome the “we don’t have the budget” barrier and foster a culture of long-term thinking and accountability.)

💡 Tips to Get One Started

• Start small and scale: Build the case by identifying 1-2 projects with strong cost-saving potential and quick payback (e.g., LED lighting or smart thermostats). Estimate savings using past utility bills or simple online calculators (many utilities offer these) and show how savings from these projects could be tracked and reinvested.

• Secure seed funding: Possible sources include utility rebates & incentives, one-time budget allocation, grants, PTA or Green Team Fundraising, alumni donations.

• Create simple guidelines: what types of projects qualify, who approves them, how savings are tracked, how much is reinvested  (100%, 50%, etc.).

• Build accountability: Assign a team or coordinator to manage the fund and track savings/ expenses.

  • Did you know… You can track and visualize your energy, waste and water consumption, and their associated costs, in START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool.

• Communicate impact: Share results with your school community to build buy-in and momentum.

Cost-saving sustainability projects that are ideal candidates for funding through a Revolving Green Fund:

Congratulations to these schools for launching their Whole School Sustainability journeys through START! See a map of our START schools here.

• Shirlee Green Preschool, Missouri USA

• Maple East Elementary School, NY USA

• Glenlyon Norfolk School, British Columbia Canada

• St. Andrew's School, Delaware USA

Green Schools Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, created by schools, for schools, with a mission is to connect and empower schools worldwide to lead the transition to a sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient future.

Ways to get involved:

1. Get your school to sign the Sustainability & Climate Leadership Commitment to join schools and districts who have already
   answered the call to action.

2. Join the Community for resources, best practices & a peer-to-peer network of school sustainability champions.

3. Use START: Sustainability Tracking, Analytics & Roadmap Tool to benchmark, plan, track and collaborate for Whole School Sustainability.