Sustainability
BCF’s Sustainability Initiative serves as an umbrella for a lively package of projects supporting the goals of Baltimore City’s Sustainability Plan. BCF played an integral role in developing the Plan, and is committed to its implementation. For more information on the Sustainability Plan, visit the Baltimore Office of Sustainability's website.
In its work with the projects listed below, BCF’s biggest strength is its flexibility—it is a nimble partner, able to act quickly and creatively to foster innovation.
BCF also advocates for good policy that encourages sustainability.
Click here to visit our advocacy page for details.
Cleaner, Greener Baltimore
Reducing litter and increasing green space
BCF was the City’s lead partner when the Cleaner, Greener Baltimore initiative was created in 2008. BCF played a key role in helping the City pass legislation for weekly recycling collection. BCF organized neighborhood support for recycling by creating a small grants program for community groups’ efforts to promote recycling among neighbors. BCF remains very involved in policy, community outreach and education surrounding Cleaner Greener Baltimore, which is now part of the Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor Initiative.
Baltimore Energy Challenge
Cutting energy use and energy bills
The Baltimore Energy Challenge works at the block level to spread knowledge, resources, and motivation from neighbor to neighbor to help people save energy and money. Energy Challenge participants have achieved savings of as much as 13 percent on their energy bills. BCF brought together partners to develop the Challenge and oversaw its early years of operation. The immensely successful program has garnered national attention and is a core component of the $52.9 million grant to Baltimore City from the MD Public Service Commission. These funds, from the Exelon Corporation and Constellation Energy merger, will support Baltimore City’s ongoing energy efficiency and conservation efforts. For more information, click here.
Green, Healthy, Smart Challenge
Getting students involved
BCF partnered with City Schools and the Baltimore Office of Sustainability to start the Green, Healthy, Smart Challenge as part of the Green Schools Initiative, which engages students to initiate clean and green projects in their schools. To date, near 100 schools have completed a sustainability project..
Baltimore Food Policy Initiative
Expanding access to healthy choices
Access to healthy food is a crucial ingredient of a sustainable city. BCF created the Sustainability Food Fund and pooled resources with other funders to hire a Food Policy Director for Baltimore – a first among the nation’s urban areas. BCF’s Fund continues to support important food policy projects related to increasing access to healthy food in Baltimore’s food deserts. For more information, click here.