Green Building United FAQ

What is Green Building United?

Founded in 2002, Green Building United (formerly Delaware Valley Green Building Council/DVGBC) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to foster transformative impact in our communities through green building education and advocacy, and our vision is a sustainable, healthy, and resilient built environment for all.

Learn more about our history. 

Why did you change your name and branding from Delaware Valley Green Building Council/DVGBC to Green Building United?

We wanted a brand and name that reflected our history, aligned better with our current work and future aspirations, and signified the unification of the green building and sustainability community. While our name has changed, we continue to provide robust membership and sustaining partnership opportunities and benefits, and many other dynamic engagement activities. 

What does Green Building United do?

Through education, advocacy, and initiatives, Green Building United informs and engages individuals and organizations to transform how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated.  With the built environment accounting for a significant portion of carbon emissions, and systemic social disparities tied to development, buildings serve as critical leverage points for addressing climate change and improving equitable living conditions for all building occupants.   

Where are you located?

Our office is located in Center City Philadelphia (2401 Walnut Street, Suite 103) and our region includes the greater Philadelphia area, Lehigh Valley, and the State of Delaware. The 10 counties within our region are Northampton, Lehigh, Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, Delaware, and Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, and New Castle, Kent, and Sussex in Delaware.

Who works at Green Building United?

We are a combination of full-time staff and part-time interns. Learn more about us and our roles. 

How do you do all that you do with such a small team?

We could not do what we do without the tremendous support of our large community of volunteers and Board of Directors.

Learn more about our board.  

What types of people/groups comprise the Green Building United community?

Our community is made up of architects, engineers, policy makers and advocates, landscape architects, marketing and communications professionals, developers, contractors, building managers, building operators, government workers, and more. Green Building United’s stakeholders share a common interest in green building and sustainability, and knowledge levels range from novice to expert.    

Are the Delaware, Lehigh Valley, Living Future, and Passive House Communities separate from Green Building United?

We are one organization: Green Building United. Our Passive House Community and Living Future Community focus on activities specific to the Passive House and International Living Future Institute rating systems, respectively. Our Delaware Community and Lehigh Valley Community focus on activities specific to the State of Delaware and Lehigh Valley region of our footprint, respectively. All of this work is done as part of the whole, striving to achieve the mission, vision, and goals of our larger organization.

Learn more about our Delaware Community. 

Learn more about our Lehigh Valley Community. 

Learn more about our Passive House Community.

Learn more about our Living Future Community.

Is Green Building United associated with U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)?

We are an aligned chapter of USGBC, meaning we are organizationally independent but still work closely with USGBC’s national headquarters team and other USGBC chapters from the around the country to achieve green building and sustainability goals.

How is Green Building United financially supported?

We are funded through the generous support of sustaining partners, individual members, donors, and foundations.  

My company is interested in supporting and being a part of Green Building United - what are our options?

A company/organization can become a Sustaining Partner, and there are several contribution levels to choose from that come with varying benefit levels. Companies/organizations can also sponsor small and major events, or make tax deductible donations.  

Learn more about Sustaining Partnership.

I am an individual interested in supporting and being a part of Green Building United - what are my options?

An individual can become a Member, and there are different membership levels to choose from depending on your situation and what you are seeking.

Learn more about Individual Membership.

How do I stay up-to-date on Green Building United activities and opportunities?

The best way to find out what is happening at our organization is by signing up for our newsletter. You can sign up for our general newsletter and/or for specific Delaware, Lehigh Valley, Living Future, and Passive House Community ones.

Sign up for our newsletter.

I would like to volunteer. Where do I start?

There are many ways to volunteer with our organization depending on your interests, expertise, and availability. 

Learn more about volunteering.