If your nonprofit organization is an environmentally-focused one, you no doubt are constantly thinking about the energy emissions of the work you do. No nonprofit organization can function today without using technology, yet technology can have substantial impacts on the environment. Green computing can help you reduce these effects.
| “Nonprofits have a special stake in sustainability. Many are mission-driven to improve communities or serve the public good, so adopting environmentally responsible practices strengthens credibility and impact.” – Jason LaPorte, CTO, Power Consulting |
Even if your nonprofit organization isn’t focused on environmental protection, aligning your operations with environmentally responsible practices is still an important goal. BDO’s Nonprofit Standards Benchmarking Survey reports a 42% increase in requests about environmental impact reduction strategies from funders and donors of all types of nonprofits.
Whatever your mission may be, the rest of this article will serve as your introduction to green computing. We will explore what it is, what its benefits are, and how you can implement it at your nonprofit organization.
What is Green Computing?
Green computing refers to the environmentally responsible use of computers and their resources. In broader terms, it involves designing, using, and disposing of computing equipment in ways that reduce environmental impact.
Since computer usage is now required to work in any industry, we can’t simply avoid it, even though it contributes as much to the world’s CO₂ emissions as the airline industry. Green computing practices offer a compromise. It’s a way to attempt to reduce this impact as much as possible without giving up computer usage entirely.
Green computing focuses on two main areas: improving energy efficiency and reducing electronic waste. For example, green computing initiatives encourage using energy-efficient hardware, as well as proper recycling or repurposing of old devices.
90% of Nonprofit Leaders Say Technology is Essential
But that doesn’t have to come at the cost of your mission to reduce carbon emissions.
The Top 6 Green Computing Benefits For Nonprofits
1. Lower Energy Costs
One immediate benefit of greener IT is reduced electricity bills. Energy-efficient computers, servers, and data centers consume at least 30% less power to perform the same work. For nonprofits, every dollar saved on power can be redirected to program services.
2. Reduced Carbon Footprint
By shifting workloads to efficient cloud platforms and modern hardware, nonprofits use less energy and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions from everyday technology use. These reductions can be substantial. For instance, 451 Research found that switching to a more energy-efficient data center can reduce your organization’s emissions by as much as 88%.
3. Less Pollution
Nonprofits that adopt policies to properly recycle electronics will contribute to lowering e-waste pollution. This is a significant benefit considering the scale of the problem: worldwide, only 22.3% of electronic waste is recycled.
Another option is to obtain refurbished hardware, which not only costs less and keeps that device out of the landfill, but also has a far lower environmental impact than manufacturing new devices.
4. Improved Reputation
Adopting green computing can enhance a nonprofit’s reputation among donors, grantmakers, volunteers, and the public. This can also help you attract new supporters who are passionate about environmental issues.
5. Mission Alignment
Green computing fits well with the mission of many nonprofits. Even when an organization does not focus on the environment, sustainable IT practices support values like community health and long-term responsibility. Operating efficiently helps nonprofits avoid creating unnecessary environmental harm while they work toward social goals.
6. Future Funding Opportunities
Some grant programs and foundations favor organizations that show clear sustainability practices. Programs like the Inflation Reduction Act allow nonprofits to receive direct payments for clean energy investments, which makes it easier to adopt efficient technology.
Many major technology providers also offer nonprofit grants and discounted cloud services, which often use less energy than traditional systems.
How to Implement Green Computing at Your Nonprofit
1. Perform an Energy Audit
Start by assessing how and where your technology consumes energy. Identify servers, computers, or other equipment that run 24/7 or are older and inefficient. Often, simply power-managing devices can yield quick wins.
2. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Hardware
When it’s time to replace or add IT equipment, choose energy-efficient models. Look for the Energy Star rating or EPEAT certification on computers, monitors, and printers. These devices are designed to use significantly less power.
Source: Econnex
3. Embrace Cloud Computing
Migrating on-premise applications and storage to the cloud can dramatically improve energy efficiency and simplify your IT. Major cloud data centers benefit from economies of scale and advanced power-saving technologies that typical small server rooms lack.
4. Use Refurbished & Longer-Life Equipment
Extend the lifecycle of devices and utilize refurbished hardware when possible. By keeping devices in service longer (with periodic upgrades like adding RAM or replacing a battery), you reduce the demand for manufacturing new electronics and avoid creating e-waste. When you do need new equipment, consider refurbished computers or servers from reputable sources.
5. Implement E-Waste Recycling Programs
Inevitably, some equipment will reach end-of-life. Partner with certified e-waste recyclers or donation programs to handle old electronics. Many cities and electronics retailers offer e-waste drop-off events or services to ensure devices are recycled safely.
6. Optimize IT Settings
Not all green computing measures require new hardware. Many involve simply changing settings or habits. Ensure that all computers and peripherals are configured for power savings. Here are some examples and why they help.
| Practice | What to Do | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic sleep settings | Set computers and monitors to sleep after short periods of inactivity | Reduces wasted electricity when devices sit idle |
| Smart power strips | Plug computers and peripherals into smart power strips | Stops power draw from devices that stay partially on when not in use |
| Screen brightness controls | Lower screen brightness to comfortable levels | Cuts energy use without affecting productivity |
| Monitor power habits | Turn off monitors when stepping away from desks | Prevents unnecessary power use during the workday |
| Charger management | Unplug chargers when devices are fully charged or not in use | Eliminates constant background power draw |
| End-of-day shutdowns | Shut down computers and peripherals at the end of the day when possible | Avoids overnight energy use |
| Paper and toner reduction | Default to double-sided printing and shift workflows to digital | Lowers energy use tied to printing and supply production |
| Remote work and virtual meetings | Use remote work options and virtual meetings when appropriate | Reduces travel-related emissions and office energy demand |
| Staff and volunteer training | Share clear guidelines on daily energy-saving habits | Builds consistent behavior that creates long-term savings |
7. Leverage Grants & Support
Many utility companies offer energy efficiency rebates or free energy audits for businesses (which may include nonprofits) to upgrade to efficient equipment. Some foundations specifically fund capacity-building projects, including IT improvements that have a sustainability angle. Many more general nonprofit technology grants can also be put towards green computing.
Green Computing Challenges & How to Overcome Them
Budget Constraints
Nonprofits frequently operate on limited budgets, and leaders might worry that new green technology or upgrades will be too expensive. Indeed, some sustainability measures require upfront investment.
However, many green computing steps actually save money in the long-term or have short payback periods. Although knowing that may not be particularly helpful if the upfront cost is still out of reach.
So, rather than replacing all technology at once, phased upgrades can help you spread costs over several cycles. Starting with low-cost measures like power management settings or server consolidation gives tangible savings that can help justify larger investments later.
Lack of Technical Expertise
Many nonprofit organizations lack in-house IT experts or only have a select number of volunteer technologists. That means that the technical expertise required to make these changes could be lacking. Working with external IT consultants may be a viable option. You can also put technology grant money towards the costs of these experts.
| Take a Closer Look at How Your Nonprofit Can Leverage Technology |
Internal Resistance
As with any new initiative, implementing green computing might meet some resistance or inertia. Staff and volunteers used to doing things a certain way might be skeptical about new policies.
Overcoming this requires change management and clear communication. Leadership should connect the green computing effort to the nonprofit’s mission and values. Highlight both the environmental and financial benefits: for example, share that “if we save $5,000 in energy this year, that’s $5,000 more for our programs.”
Also, celebrate early wins (like a report showing the organization’s carbon footprint dropped or cost savings achieved after a few months of changes) to build buy-in.
Keeping Momentum
Another challenge is sustaining the effort once initial changes are made. Nonprofits might implement a few improvements and then lose focus, especially as other urgent needs arise. To prevent backsliding, it helps to make green computing an ongoing priority with assigned responsibilities.
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Talk to Power Consulting About How Your Nonprofit Can Leverage Green Computing
Everything we discussed in this blog is general. How your nonprofit leverages green computing will also vary based on how your nonprofit uses computers overall. That’s why you need to work with a team of experts who can help you manage the process.
Power Consulting’s NYC-based IT team can give you this assistance. Alongside help with the procurement and implementation processes, we can also help you secure nonprofit technology grants based on your needs. These grants can easily go towards your green computing initiative.
Reach out to us today to find out more.
