An innovative approach for funding sustainable initiatives at Dartmouth. Presented to Matariki Network of Universities Conference in Kingstron, Ontario November 2010.

1. The Dartmouth Revolving Green Fund
An innovative approach to funding
sustainable initiatives at Dartmouth
Joe Indvik ‘10 and Bari Wien ’10
Contact: joe.indvik@gmail.com

2. Participatory Sustainability Education
ENVS 50: Culminating Experience for Environmental Studies Majors
Social/Cultural Critique Implementation
Educational Compare Proposal
Physical Contextualize Goal
College Experiences Introspection Participation
School becomes a living laboratory for systems-thinking,
problem analysis, and policy formation.

3. The Model Applied
ENVS 50, Spring 2010
Problem: Reliance on carbon-intensive fuels
Goals
• First-order change: Fewer operational emissions
• Second-order change: Systematic rethinking of priorities, behavior,
and infrastructure
Barriers
• Perceived and actual financial limitations
• Perrin’s Law
Solution
• Clean energy financing mechanism that provides measurable
benefits, cost-savings, and community engagement

4. Dartmouth Revolving Green Fund
Dartmouth
Revolving Community
Fund
Green Fund
Efficiency and Renewable Community Projects
Energy Projects
Criteria Criteria
• Payback in 5 years or less • Engage community members
• Quantifiable environmental benefits • Educational, cultural, or behavioral benefits
• Exclusively funds FO&M projects • Don’t need to pay back

5. Dartmouth Revolving Green Fund
Beginning with $900,000, the fund could finance $2.5 million worth
of projects in the first four years.

6. Generic University Hierarchy
Administration
Faculty
Power to
influence policy Staff
Student
Groups
Student
Body

7. GRFs Flatten the Hierarchy
Interaction and
Engagement
Administration
Dartmouth
Staff Faculty
Revolving
Green Fund
Student Student
Groups Body