Our mission is to provide innovative financing solutions that help states, tribes, local governments, nonprofits, community-based organizations, and the private sector pay for environmental projects.
About Us
Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and New England’s 10 Federally Recognized Tribes.
Since 2001, the New England Environmental Finance Center (NEEFC) at the University of Southern Maine has worked to build local capacity to pay for the growing cost of protecting critical environmental resources and fostering resilient communities.
Our programs reflect the greatest needs of the 6 New England states including funding and financing of climate adaptation and resilience, stormwater and nutrient management, water infrastructure, and sustainable operating practices.
“High quality water is more than the dream of the conservationists, more than a political slogan; high quality water, in the right quantity at the right place at the right time, is essential to health, recreation, and economic growth.”
— Edmund Muskie, Former U.S. Secretary of State, Senator & Governor of Maine
The NEEFC administers the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network. The SNEP Network provides training and assistance to municipalities, organizations, and tribes to advance stormwater and watershed management, ecological restoration, and climate resilience in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The network is committed to building capacity in conjunction with EPA’s Southeast New England Program within EPA Region 1.
As part of the Environmental Finance Center Network (EFCN), the NEEFC is one of 10 regional centers supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Together the EFCN is a collaborative of university-based organizations working to create innovative solutions to the difficult how-to-pay issues of environmental protection and improvement.
New & Noteworthy
Climate Funding Manager
This position will work to build community capacity to navigate funding opportunities (i.e., grants, loans, and other financing mechanisms), develop strong proposals, and effectively manage funding for climate action.
Senior Program Manager
This position will be leading and managing the programmatic direction of the SNEP Network, by directing and managing the substantive work of its local technical assistance partners, and representing the project to the public.
SNEP Network’s 5 Year Celebration Event
When: September 26th, 2024, 8:30am-12:00pm
Where: Roger Williams Park Casino, Providence, Rhode Island
Description: The Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Network is pleased to invite you to our 5 Year Celebration Event! Join us to hear stories from community leaders and partners about our shared impact and accomplishments over the past 5 years. The celebration will feature a welcome video by Senator Reed, a keynote address from EPA’s SNEP Program, and a panel discussion about collaboration with the SNEP Network partners. The highlight of the event will be awards that recognize Rhode Island and Massachusetts communities for their work and achievements
Featured Funding Opportunity
National Culvert Removal Replacement and Restoration Grant Program
Federal Highway Administration & U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Submission Deadline: 09/23/24
Grant or Loan? Grant
Funding Availability: Grant total is $196 million annually and will be divided amongst approved projects.
Who’s Eligible? States, units of local government, and Tribes.
Purpose: To improve fish passages, such as culverts and weirs.
Eligible Activities: Eligible projects include but are not limited the removal, replacement, or restoration of culverts to improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish.
For more information please email CulvertAOP@dot.gov
Healthy Communities Grant Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 – New England
Submission Deadline: 11/01/24, at 11:59 p.m
Grant or Loan? Grant
Who’s Eligible? State and local governments, public and private nonprofits, federally recognized Indian Tribal governments, K-12 schools or school districts, and grassroots and community-based organizations. Applicants are not required to be located in New England but must propose projects located in and/or directly benefiting one or more of the Target Investment Areas within New England
Purpose: To work directly with communities to reduce environmental risks to protect and improve human health, advance resilience, and preserve or restore important ecosystems.
Eligible Activities: Eligible projects include but are not limited to projects that address food insecurity, food waste, food supply resilience, energy inefficient housing, environmental health triggers (such as Asthma,) and residential lead contamination through community lead efforts.
Funding Available: Applicants can request up to $40,000. EPA anticipates making approximately 15 awards.
Looking for additional funding opportunities?
What We Do
Outreach and Engagement
Community engagement, charrettes, and meeting facilitation that engages all stakeholders and includes their voices in planning decisions.
Technical Assistance
Training and assistance to municipalities, organizations, and tribes to advance stormwater and watershed management, funding and sustainable financing, and improve utility and business operations to achieve resilience to the changing climate.
Education and Training
Capacity building and education of state and local decision makers and utility managers in innovative
financing solutions.
Develop Young Professionals
Engaging student interns in projects to help develop the next generation of environmental finance professionals.