Get Your GreenBack Tompkins supports individuals and organizations taking key steps to save money, reduce our community’s carbon emissions, and create a socially just local economy in the areas of food, transportation, waste and building energy.

Our core Values

  1. Equity—our work recognizes systemic inequities, and seeks to expand access to affordable actions for those facing burdens of poverty, racism and oppression

  2. Impact—our outreach and organizing efforts lead to concrete, measurable results for homeowners, renters, and the community: energy and money saved, and reduced carbon emissions

  3. Collaboration—we work with and support communities and organizations to optimize existing resources

  4. Learning—we convene and facilitate conversations, listen to others, take time to reflect, and share our insights

Who is behind GYGB?

Get Your GreenBack is coordinated by Karim Beers; Emily Belle is its Community Energy Outreach & Advising Program Leader. Staff are supported by a group of interns and Energy Navigator volunteers; and guided by a stellar Steering Committee:

  • Kimberly Anderson, Sustainability Engagement Manager, Cornell University Office of Sustainability

  • Peter Bardaglio, Coordinator, Tompkins County Climate Protection Initiative (TCCPI)

  • Bob Beck, Chair, Rail Trail Task Force, and Member, Conservation Board, Town of Dryden

  • Chavon Bunch, Executive Director, Southside Community Center

  • Rebecca Evans, Sustainability Specialist, City of Ithaca

  • Danielle Harrington, Housing and Energy Services Director, Tompkins Community Action

  • Irene Weiser, Fossil Free Tompkins

  • And we miss one of our founding members, Kirby Edmonds, who provided generous vision and support till his untimely passing in 2020. Ken Schlather, another founding member, who stepped down in 2021, also helped shape much of what GYGB has done.

The campaign over the years has counted on the support of over 1000 volunteers, and close to 100 businesses and organizations. It is supported financially by the Park Foundation, NYSERDA, CCE-Tompkins, as well as the contributions of generous individuals.

Location

Get Your GreenBack’s fiscal sponsor is Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. Our offices are located inside the CCE-Tompkins Education Center at 615 Willow Avenue in Ithaca, NY.

CCE-Tompkins is located on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation). The Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' are members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, an alliance of six sovereign nations with a historic and contemporary presence on this land. The confederacy precedes the establishment of Cooperative Extension, Cornell University, New York state and the United States of America. We acknowledge the painful history of Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' dispossession, and honor the ongoing connection of Gayogo̱hó:nǫ' people, past and present, to these lands and waters.

Our Core Partners & Sister Programs