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
Region 3 WaterTA Program
The Region 3 WaterTA program offers direct support to municipalities, tribes, and water utilities in US EPA Region 3 to help them access federal and state funding to address water infrastructure needs.
Maryland Local Government Climate Action Support Program
EFC is coordinating with the Maryland Department of Environment to help build the local capacity of Maryland communities to plan, fund, and implement climate projects and community-based climate-related outreach campaigns.
Mid-Atlantic Sustainable Breweries
The 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.
Rainwater Harvesting for Urban Farms
EFC is coordinating with UMD's School of Public Health, Extension, and USDA Agricultural Research Services to help urban farmers harvest and filter rainwater to nourish their crops and create more sustainable farms and resilient communities.
EFC Projects and Publications
See EFC’s work in action by browsing our current and archived (completed) projects below.
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2023 - PresentBuilding 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. The Climate Stewards Academy (CSA) was first piloted by EFC in 2023 through funding from the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Prince George’s County Stormwater Stewardship Grant Program. This residential training program was developed to identify, educate, and empower community members as climate champions capable of leading adaptation and resilience efforts within their communities.View Project Details for Building Climate Resilience in Prince George's County -
MDE Smart Salting Training (Fall 2026)
The Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) Smart Salting Training helps reduce winter salt pollution beyond state and county roads—covering parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks. This hybrid course is designed for property managers, business owners, landscaping companies, and other private contractors and salt applicators who maintain parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks in the winter.Certificate of Completion RequirementsTo earn a certificate of completion, you must:View Project Details for MDE Smart Salting Training (Fall 2026) -
2026 April2025 EFC Annual Report
Dear Friends and Supporters,The Environmental Finance Center entered 2025 with hope in our hearts in the face of uncertainty. We learned a great deal about the spirit and tenacity of our team, our partners, and our profession. And, as we dared to dream just one year ago, we have seen that hope transform into action.View Project Details for 2025 EFC Annual Report -
2025 - PresentSupporting Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Morgan State Planning Fellowship Program
With support from the Region 3 Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay launched a yearlong graduate fellowship with Morgan State University’s School of Architecture & Planning. Fellows are placed with partner municipalities to lead public outreach and engagement on pre-identified environmental priorities, culminating in an implementation-ready community plan.This initiative aims to:View Project Details for Supporting Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay's Morgan State Planning Fellowship Program -
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