Sustany® Foundation Milestones: As society looks to for-purpose/non-profits to solve important problems, community engagement has become essential. A collaborative approach to environmental stewardship makes community engagement not only desirable, but necessary and viable as it is likely to lead to more equitable, sustainable public decisions and improve the liveability of local communities.
- Sponsored with Hillsborough County, Sustainability@Work, is a series of workshops designed for and impacting over 200 start-ups and small businesses interested in becoming more sustainable.
- Sponsored and hosted Florida’s largest single-day tree-planting, 20,000 saplings planted over 80 acres with 11+ Community Partners and 250 Volunteers utilizing over 1,950 volunteer hours.
- Hosting over fifty of these community engagements, Green Drinks Tampa Bay is an informal monthly get-together for individuals interested in environmental issues and sustainability. We’ve welcomed 100’s of like-minded people from businesses, NGOs, academia and government in various sustainable settings throughout Tampa Bay.
- Now in its 14th year, The Sustainable Business Awards recognizes businesses and organizations in the Tampa Bay area that are committed to making a positive impact on the planet. Since 2008, more than 120 businesses, impacting 1000’s of stakeholders, have received the award. From small local farms to large corporations, we honor their commitments to social responsibility and environmental stewardship. See all past award winners here.
- Our annual festival since 2009, The Sustainable Buzz celebrates honors local businesses and stakeholders doing great things for our community and the planet!
- Launched the Sustany® Sustainable Business program with 11 university interns and 10 downtown businesses in collaboration with the Tampa Downtown Partnership
- Sustany® and Nature’s Academy received Lightning Community Hero grant in recognition of Dana Pounds
- Sustany® Conference: Climate Change at Stetson University
- USGBC Seminar Sponsor for annual green building seminar
- Created the Annual Sustainable Buzz event to celebrate the best of our quality of life in Tampa Bay
Sustany® Foundation Board Members
In addition to Sustany®’s programs and events, the organization facilitates the exchange of ideas and resources related to its mission. Sustany® serves as a gathering place and resource pool for people interested in advancing sustainability in Tampa Bay. Individuals are encouraged to support Sustany® through contributions of a variety of resources (ideas, information, time and financial assistance). Resources provided by Sustany® may include suggestions, introductions, research assistance, volunteers, financial assistance, etc. for projects that fit within Sustany®’s mission and policy aims.
Sustany® provides a bridge between our supporters and outside organizations with complementary missions through joint events and speaking opportunities.
The mission of the Sustany® Foundation is to enhance the quality of life of the Tampa Bay community by promoting sustainability.
Founded in 2007, Sustany® supports sustainability through education and programs which advance economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility. We strive to be the leading facilitator of sustainability in our community through efficient and effective aggregation and investment of resources for Tampa Bay’s citizens today and into the future.
We are a catalyst for innovative community projects that preserve Tampa Bay’s unique environmental attributes, improve human health, conserve natural resources, foster collaborative learning opportunities, and promote economic prosperity. We partner with existing organizations whenever possible to leverage resources and avoid duplication of effort.
Policy Statement
- Promote a culture focused on who we are rather than what we have.
- Discourage sprawl and support high density urban development – leave the rural spaces rural.
- Promote market solutions to problems associated with population growth, including planned, environmentally sensitive development.
- Promote the cradle to cradle design paradigm and the use of natural, sustainable materials.
- Reuse, reduce (consumption) and recycle.
- Conserve resources and reduce waste.
- Support organic foods and products. Reduce economic dependence on petroleum and support the development of clean alternative energy sources.
- Promote initiatives to decrease human impact on the climate.
- Be stewards of the earth and recognize our place in nature.