NREA Partners with Go Green Initiative to Bring Healthy Learning Environments to Rural Schools

The National Rural Education Association (NREA) is proud to announce a new Strategic Partnership with The Go Green Initiative (GGI). This partnership will assist rural schools across the country in fostering safer, healthier learning environments for their students.

The Go Green Initiative is a 501(c)3 that works with U.S. school districts to eliminate environmental pollutants from indoor air, drinking water and school meals; and further helps school districts preserve natural resources for future generations by conserving energy and water and reducing waste. Established in 2002, the GGI is a leading advocate for healthy learning environments for all children and has a long history of meeting the unique needs of urban, rural and suburban school communities.

The GGI is one of only five organizations nationwide to be awarded a five-year EPA grant to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency in schools throughout the country. Thanks to the EPA grant, GGI offers grants, in-person technical assistance and program management services to districts with fifty percent or more of its students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch and/or a significant percentage of students who are members of a Tribal community. Eligible school districts can apply for the 2026-27 school year by Feb. 27 at: https://nsba.org/resources/resources-for-school-board-members/iaq-assessment.

“We are so proud to partner with NREA! I grew up in a rural, Midwestern school district, and I know that rural schools face unique funding and staffing shortages that often preclude them from protecting their students’ health and ability to learn by improving IAQ in their classrooms,” says Jill Buck, M.S., Ed., founder and CEO of the Go Green Initiative. “We want every rural school district in the U.S. to know about the funding and support we offer, and we stand ready to serve them.”

NREA remains dedicated to making strategic partnerships to benefit rural communities, often with the goal of connecting schools to funding or health and safety resources. This partnership with GGI encompasses both of these goals. We hope NREA members and non-members alike will benefit from our shared work.

“When we talk about student success in rural communities, we can’t ignore the basics: clean indoor air, safe drinking water, and healthy environments that support learning every single day,” said NREA Executive Director Dr. Melissa Sadorf. “The Go Green Initiative understands rural realities and comes with real tools: grants, in person support, and expertise that helps districts move from good intentions to measurable improvements. NREA is excited to partner with GGI so rural school leaders across the country know this opportunity exists and can take action for their students and staff.”

Thank you to the Go Green Initiative for joining us in our mission to advocate for every rural learner, educator, and community.

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The National Rural Education Association (NREA) was originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907. It is the oldest established national organization in the United States. As the trusted voice for rural education, the NREA advocates for every rural learner, educator, and community. The NREA envisions strong rural schools and communities where education is the catalyst for resilience, opportunity and success.