Our impact across the country

Faithful Footprints Grants have helped over 300+ United Church communities across Canada

Benefits of funded projects

Explore the measurable carbon reductions achieved by Faithful Footprints funded projects across country. Dive into the data from completed projects to see how greenhouse gas emissions, electricity and fossil fuel use, energy costs, and overall energy intensity have changed from baseline to current performance.

Compare results across United Church properties.

This Integrative Map is produced in collaboration with EDGE and are updated bi-annually.

Explore impact

21.9 M kBtu

More than 21.9 million kBtu reduced in fossil fuel use annually

1,800K tCO2

More than 1,697 tCO2 reduced in green house gas emission annually

533K kWh

More than 533, 000 kWh of electricity usage reduced annually

Environmental Impact

Retrofitting United Church properties has reduced the environmental footprints for both communities of faith and their buildings. By enhancing the energy efficiency of our buildings and transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, we have lowered our required energy demand and associated carbon footprint.

By improving energy efficiency and switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy, we've helped United Church communities of faith require less energy to operate their buildings and emit less harmful GHG into the atmosphere. Our funding have reduced the eco footprint for United Church communities through:

Our grant has shrunk the environmental footprint of United Church buildings

  • Replacing old and poor functioning heating and cooling systems and switching to renewable energy sources has reduced the amount of greenhouse gas United Church buildings emit into the atmosphere.

  • Upgrading to modern, energy-efficient systems, and adopting renewable energy alternatives, communities of faith have lowered their consumption and reliance on natural gas, oil, and propane for heating, cooling, electricity, and other energy needs.

  • Upgrading to energy-efficient systems and improving building structures has reduced the total electricity usage required to operate United Church buildings.

  • Upgrading to energy-efficient systems and improving building structures lowered the total energy needed per square foot each year in United Church buildings.

Economic Impact

Retrofitting United Church properties has reduced energy costs for communities of faith. By enhancing the energy efficiency of our buildings and transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, we have lowered monthly utility bills and associated operational costs. Upgraded and renovated spaces generate additional income through rentals and energy sales to the grid, supporting sustainable economic growth for United Church communities. By improving energy efficiency and switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Faithful Footprints helped United Church communities of faith cut energy costs by an average of 10% annually.

Our grant has eased financial burdens and supported sustainable economic growth through:

  • Improving the efficiency of building structures and upgrading systems to modern models has reduced energy, gas, and water consumption for communities of faith. These improvements have led to lower utility bills and decreased operational expenses.

  • Upgrading appliances and systems has cut maintenance expenses by reducing the need for frequent repairs on outdated equipment. By installing modern systems, communities of faith have experienced fewer breakdowns and lower overall required maintenance.

  • Modernizing buildings and updating spaces has increased revenue for communities of faith by retaining regular renters and attracting new local businesses, organizations, and individuals. These improvements have led to higher rental demand and made the spaces preferred locations for various gatherings and events.

  • Generating power from on-site renewable energy has provided communities of faith the opportunity to sell surplus energy, creating a passive revenue stream and contributing to the local energy grid.

Community Impact

By upgrading and renovating buildings, we've helped United Church communities of faith offer better spaces for staff and members for church services, community gatherings and events, supporting the expansion of community programming and opportunities. By undertaking these projects, communities of faith have also raised awareness and sparked interest in climate action and greening initiatives.

Our grant has helped create healthier, safer, and more welcoming spaces for United Church communities

  • Retrofitting United Church buildings has made more welcoming and functional spaces for community events, meetings, activities, and programming.

  • Upgrading rooms and spaces within United Church building has opened up opportunities to make use of additional square footage.

  • Working collaboratively on retrofit projects has strengthened church engagement and teamwork amongst United Church communities, fostering deeper connections and shared responsibility.

  • Building interest and gaining support for building retrofit projects has increased awareness about climate change and involvement in climate action and greening initiatives

What grant recipients are saying

  • “Insulating and sealing the attic hatches dramatically improved heat in the church — the addition of our dual-paned tempered glass greatly also reduced the loss of heat from around the Rose Window, particularly in winter months, leading to less energy consumption as the central heat no longer needs to compensate for the cold air leaking from the window.”

    Gordon King Memorial United Church, Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Prairie to Pine Regional Council

  • “Compared to our previous gas-fired steam heating system, the efficiency of heat pumps would reduce our overall energy consumption and our GHG emissions — We had one boiler that heated all of our space: the sanctuary, memorial hall, gym, offices, Sunday school rooms, meeting rooms – everything. With the new heat pumps installed, the radiators in memorial hall are turned off. The only heat in that room will come from the heat pumps. This project helped displace whatever steam heat that room had been using.”

    Don Dewees, Chair of Finance and Property Committees, Runnymede United Church, Toronto, Ontario

    Shinning Waters Regional Council

  • “Our renewed, renovated, and retrofitted space feels brand new. These upgrades will broaden our ability to respond to the needs of the community. We are excited about our renovations and what they will mean for the church, the neighborhood and the wider community.”

    Broad View United Church, Victoria, British Columbia

    Pacific Mountain Regional Council

  • “The Faithful Footprints grant has made a gigantic positive impact on our church office. The new windows eliminated the chilly winter draft we were experiencing and is helping reduce heat effects of the summer. Having a suitable workplace is so vital to employee comfort, satisfaction and retention.”

    Crystal City United Church, Crystal City, Manitoba

    Prairie to Pine Regional Council

  • “Our newly installed boiler is much more reliable and efficient — producing more steady heat, making less noise, and reducing costs on our Enbridge bills. This will not only impact our congregation and staff, but also the other people who use our building, such as AA, and the Toronto Children’s Chorus, who rent space.”

    Martha Charney, Deer Park United Church, Toronto, Ontario

    Shinning Waters Regional Council