Toolkit Components:
- Overview/Talking Points
- Downloadable Graphics
- Sample Social Media Posts
- Draft Blurb for Email or Newsletter
Sustainable Pittsburgh believes our businesses, nonprofits, institutions, and local governments have the power to make our region a better place for all. We have the tools and resources to get you there.
Overview
- The nonprofit Sustainable Pittsburgh offers four sustainability recognition programs, which provide tools, resources, and a step by step process to track and measure sustainability progress.
- Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant (for brick & mortar eateries and foodservice operations)
- Sustainable Pittsburgh Shop (for small retail or independently-owned retail businesses)
- Sustainable Pittsburgh Workplace (for businesses, nonprofits, and other institutions of multiple sectors and sizes, including virtual organizations)
- Sustainable Pennsylvania (for municipalities in Pennsylvania)
- This promo kit focuses on the Shop and Restaurant programs.
- Drafted content included in this promo kit is directed to rural southwestern PA communities as defined by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania. Rural communities include those located in Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, or Washington Counties. Eligible rural communities located in Allegheny, Beaver, and Westmoreland Counties can be found here.
- Visit here for additional information and program-specific FAQs.
How the Programs Work
- As organizations engage with the programs through an online platform, they will answer a series of questions based on their sustainable actions, each assigned a point value.
- Questions cover a variety of topics related to sustainability including energy, waste, water, sourcing methods, employment practices, and engagement in the community.
- Sustainable Pittsburgh offers Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum designation levels.
- The Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant and Shop programs focus on businesses located in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties.
- There are currently no designation fees associated with the Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant and Sustainable Pittsburgh Shop programs.
Benefits
- Grant Opportunity
- Shops and restaurants working to earn designation can be eligible to apply for an energy and cost savings grant of up to $3,000.
- Grant applications are open to all NEW program participants located within rural southwestern PA communities as defined by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and accepted on a rolling basis until 11/20/23. Rural communities include those located in Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, or Washington Counties. Eligible rural communities located in Allegheny, Beaver, and Westmoreland Counties can be found here.
- In order to be awarded grant funds, shops and restaurants must have earned their Sustainable Pittsburgh Shop or Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant designation by 11/20/23.
- Maximum amount of funding available per designated shop or restaurant is $3,000. Grant funds are limited, so not all grant applications will be awarded.
- More information about the grants and the application to apply can be found here: https://forms.gle/7FrVBFuZ7m21PaLm6
- For complete details, please email shop@sustainblepittsburgh.org, restaurant@sustainablepittsburgh.org, or call Sustainable Pittsburgh at 412.258.6642.
- Earning designation as a Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant or Shop opens new marketing opportunities, attracts more satisfied customers and employees, and helps strengthen the bottom line.
- Designated Shops and Restaurants receive physical and digital promo kits that include: window clings, designation certificate, and digital assets for menus, website, and social media channels.
- All designated Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurants AND Shops are featured in an online directory and map to help people locate, patronize, and support these businesses.
- Earning designation enables businesses to access opportunities such as grants, rebates, events, promotions, and sustainable solutions.
- Join a community of like-minded people with access to resources and tools to help advance sustainability performance.
Graphic for Sharing On Social Media and On Websites
Social Media Posts
Own or manage a small retail shop or restaurant in rural southwestern Pennsylvania? If your business is located in Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, or Washington County OR a rural community of Allegheny, Beaver, or Westmoreland County, ACT FAST to apply for an energy and cost saving grant of up to $3,000 and have your business recognized for its commitment to the community and the environment! Earn designation as a @Sustainable Pittsburgh Shop or Restaurant! Grant opportunities are limited and available until 11/20/23! Learn more at https://sustainablepittsburgh.org/recognition-programs/ and check out the FAQ pages for grant details.
Attention small retail shops and restaurants located in Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, or Washington County OR a rural community of Allegheny, Beaver, or Westmoreland County: Today’s consumers care about supporting businesses that are socially and environmentally responsible, care about their communities, and treat their employees well. Make your business’s values known by joining the 250+ shops & restaurants that have earned @SustainablePittsburgh designation and apply for an energy and cost saving grant of up to $3,000! Act fast! Grant opportunities are limited and available until 11/20/23!! Learn more at https://sustainablepittsburgh.org/recognition-programs/ and check out the FAQ pages for grant details. .
Shortened version for Twitter (X):
Today’s consumers care about supporting businesses that are socially and environmentally responsible. Make your business’s values known by joining the 250+ shops & restaurants that have earned sustainable designation. https://sustainablepittsburgh.org/recognition-programs/
Specific for Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant program:
Attention restaurants located in Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, or Washington County OR a rural community of Allegheny, Beaver, or Westmoreland County: Join the nearly 150 establishments that have earned @SustainablePittsburgh Restaurant designation and be eligible to apply for an energy and cost saving grant of up to $3,000! If you are passionate about nutrition, reducing waste, sourcing local foods, conserving water and energy, and caring for employees and your community, this opportunity is for you. Learn more and create an account today! Visit https://sustainablepittsburgh.org/restaurants/ and check out the FAQs for grant details. Act Fast! Grant opportunities are limited and available until 11/20/23! #EatSustainably
Specific for Sustainable Pittsburgh Shop program:
Attention small retail shops located in Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, or Washington County OR a rural community of Allegheny, Beaver, or Westmoreland County: Join over 120 businesses that have earned @SustainablePittsburgh Shop designation and be eligible to apply for an energy and cost saving grant of up to $3,000! If you’d like to demonstrate your business’s commitment to building vibrant communities and supporting environmentally responsible practices, this opportunity is for you. Learn more and create an account today! Visit https://sustainablepittsburgh.org/shops/ and check out the FAQs for grant details. Act Fast! Grant opportunities are limited and available until 11/20/23! #ShopSustainably
Email or Newsletter Blurb
Be Recognized. Earn Sustainable Designation for Your Business.
Attention small retail shops and restaurants located in Armstrong, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, and Washington County OR a rural community of Allegheny, Beaver, or Westmoreland County: Join the 250+ businesses that have earned designation as a Sustainable Pittsburgh Restaurant or Shop by 11/20/23 and be eligible to apply for an energy and cost saving grant of up to $3,000!
Today’s consumers care about supporting businesses that are socially and environmentally responsible, care about their communities, and treat their employees well. Make your establishment’s values known, get designated today, and act fast – grant opportunities are limited!
Earning designation opens new marketing opportunities, attracts more satisfied customers and employees, and helps strengthen the bottom line. A designated Shop or Restaurant will:
- Receive promo kits that include: window clings, designation certificate, and digital assets for menus, website, and social media channels;
- Be featured in this searchable restaurants map or searchable shops map to help people locate, patronize, and support sustainable businesses;
- Gain access to opportunities such as grants and rebates;
- Join a community of like-minded individuals with access to resources and tools to help advance sustainability performance.
Managed by the nonprofit Sustainable Pittsburgh, these two programs were recently updated and enhanced to help shops and restaurants in southwestern Pennsylvania earn recognition for their sustainability achievements. Covering topics ranging from waste and energy to community engagement and employment practices, the programs offer an online self-assessment from which shops and restaurants can set a baseline and identify goals for the future.
Demonstrate your business’s commitment to build vibrant communities and support environmentally responsible practices. Learn more about the designation and start an account at SustainablePittsburgh.org/recognition-programs. Learn more about grants for energy upgrades and complete the application at https://forms.gle/Gk6qq4XzTeLH6FdT8.
Please contact Rebecca Bykoski, Sustainable Pittsburgh Senior Program Manager at rbykoski@sustainablepittsburgh.org or 412-258-6647 if you have questions about the designation or the grant opportunity.