What is the Climate Ready Capital Projects Program?
The Climate Ready Capital Projects Program (CRCP) is an initiative dedicated to collaborating with William Penn Foundation (WPF) grantees to embed climate resilience and sustainability into building and landscape improvement projects funded by WPF. Through the CRCP program, free technical assistance (TA) is available to grantees who have received WPF funds to build new or renovate existing buildings, or to improve outdoor spaces. TA is available in the planning, design, or early construction phases of their projects.
Guidance from Green Building United staff, members, and other sustainability experts aim to help organizations reduce operational costs, including energy costs; prepare for extreme weather; learn about financial resources for implementation of future projects; and advance other sustainability goals, like improving indoor air quality or reducing stormwater runoff. Support can include one-on-one consultations, design reviews with relevant professionals, and facilitated site visits to peer organizations who have addressed similar challenges.
Each grantee is different, and each capital project is different. Green Building United works closely with each grantee to develop a tailored program of support that addresses their unique priorities. Participation is completely voluntary at all stages. Following the customized recommendations, each grantee decides what they do and do not want to pursue. This program helps WPF advance its grantmaking value of minimizing and responding to the impacts of climate change in Greater Philadelphia. Since its start in 2023, GBU has worked with more than a dozen WPF grantees to reduce fossil fuel use, install solar panels, improve indoor air quality, recommend energy audits to identify energy savings, redesign an outdoor parking lot to manage stormwater and preserve local nature, and more.
With the help of our GBU membership, we will engage with William Penn Foundation’s existing and new grantees and provide guidance and support to embed principles of sustainable and resilient design into all aspects and stages of building and landscape projects.
Read more about this initiative in our blog!
How to Get Involved
While this program is designed for existing and incoming WPF grantees and applicants, Green Building United members and sustainability experts across the region are able to participate. As grantees participate in the program, they may require additional support from architects, engineers, landscape architects, and sustainability and resiliency experts to ensure that their upcoming projects reflect the new sustainability and resilience goals of their organization.
To best support Wiliam Penn Foundation grantees, GBU has developed this form to receive qualifications from firms, consultants, and contractors interested in supporting this initiative. Responses will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and firms will be contacted to gauge their availability and interest in partnership with grantees. You can read more about getting involved by checking out or Request for Qualifications.
Relevant Areas of Expertise:
- Architecture
- Mechanical & HVAC Engineering
- Landscape & Stormwater Management
- Energy Modeling & Audits
- Sustainable Design
- Sustainability Goal Setting
- Waste Reduction / Circular Economy
- Sustainable Operations
- Solar Evaluation & Installation
- Sustainable Financing Options
For more information or questions, please reach out to Maya Bornstein at mbornstein@greenbuildingunited.org.