FAQ
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.
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.
Our office is located in Center City Philadelphia (1601 Market Street, Suite 2270) 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.
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.
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.
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.
We are funded through the generous support of sustaining partners, individual members, donors, and foundations.
Read our latest Impact Report to see our financial report.
Your company/organization can become a Sustaining Partner through one of our several contribution levels. Companies/organizations can also sponsor small and major events, or make tax deductible donations.
The best way to get involved with Green Building United is to become a member! When you become a Member, you are supporting Green Building United's work to help design, construct, and operate buildings that are better for people, the environment, and the economy. Members also receive a host of benefits including:
Event Access + Continuing Education
- Free admission to all single-session educational Green Building United events
- Free access to GBU's Webinars on Demand library
- Discounted tickets to GBU's annual Sustainability Symposium and Groundbreaker Awards
Volunteering + Special Communications
- Opportunity to serve on organizational committees and working groups
- Eligibility to run for a seat on GBU's Board of Directors
The best way to find out what is happening at our organization is by signing up for our weekly newsletter! The newsletter contains upcoming GBU events, events from our partners, updates from GBU communities, and job listings from our network.