For more than three decades, the Environmental Finance Center has helped hundreds of local, state, and federal partners throughout the Mid-Atlantic region advance policies, programs, and financing strategies that achieve outcomes for people, places, and the environment. See EFC’s featured work below.
EFC's Featured Work
2024 Annual Report
The Environmental Finance Center worked with communities big and small, rural and urban, red and blue throughout the Mid-Atlantic to advance locally identified environmental priorities.
Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Breweries
UMD EFC’s Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Breweries Program offers free sustainability consultations to help craft brewers assess operations and implement practices related to energy, water, wastewater, air emissions, and cleaning and sanitizing – all while saving costs and improving brand recognition.
Designing a Resilience Action Plan for Maryland’s Coastal Communities
As Maryland’s coastal communities face increasing climate threats, including rising sea levels and severe storms, this initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of eight vulnerable coastal jurisdictions.
Building Climate Resilience in Prince George's County, MD
The Climate Wise Academy aims to strengthen climate resilience in Prince George’s County, Maryland. This program supports local climate preparedness through training and capacity building for Green Teams and community members. The project will enhance local climate resilience by developing a comprehensive climate-specific training curriculum and toolkit.
EFC Projects and Publications
See EFC’s work in action by browsing our current and archived (completed) projects below.
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2023 - Present
Building Climate Resilience in Prince George's County
While the scale of action required to address climate change is daunting, it is also an opportunity to build strong local community capacity. In FY23, EFC was funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant program, to pilot a residential training program designed to educate and engage community members on climate change and empower them to serve as community climate champions that have the capacity to lead local climate implementation efforts.View Project Details for Building Climate Resilience in Prince George's County -
2025 (April)2024 Annual Report - The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland
Dear Friends and Supporters,View Project Details for 2024 Annual Report - The Environmental Finance Center at the University of Maryland -
2024 - PresentBrentwood Climate Action Plan Implementation
EFC, in partnership with the Town of Brentwood, MD, and Nature Forward, is working to implement equitable climate resilience strategies in the Brentwood community, with a focus on engaging Latinx residents and businesses. This project, funded by the Climate Resilience Fund, will support Brentwood’s Climate Action Plan by designing and conducting community outreach and education activities on climate resilience, particularly for underserved communities.View Project Details for Brentwood Climate Action Plan Implementation -
2024 - PresentPepco and Delmarva Power Sustainable Communities Grant Programs
The 2025 Grant Program offers funding for two key initiatives: Environmental Stewardship and Community Resiliency. The Environmental Stewardship program supports projects that aim to protect water quality, reduce urban heat islands, and provide social benefits like health and community cohesion. Eligible activities include conservation efforts, pollution prevention, community engagement, improvement of open spaces (such as installing recreation trails or informational kiosks), and land acquisition for open space or conservation easements.View Project Details for Pepco and Delmarva Power Sustainable Communities Grant Programs -
2024 (October)Requests for Proposals: When to Dive In and When to Pass on Grants
This interactive tool will help users determine whether or not a grant is a good fit for your organization or project idea.AuthorMichelle KokolisPublication DateOctober 2024LinksRequests for Proposals: When to Dive In and When to Pass on GrantsAttachmentsView Project Details for Requests for Proposals: When to Dive In and When to Pass on Grants -
2023 - Present
Designing a Resilience Action Plan for Maryland’s Coastal Communities
As Maryland’s coastal communities face increasing climate threats, including rising sea levels and severe storms, this initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of eight vulnerable coastal jurisdictions. The project focuses on addressing climate-related hazards through nature-based solutions (NBS) and enhancing fish and wildlife habitats.View Project Details for Designing a Resilience Action Plan for Maryland’s Coastal Communities