LA PLATA, Md. — The Resilience Authority of Charles County reported securing $5.76 million in outside funding by the end of 2025 to support climate resilience projects across the county, according to an annual briefing delivered during the Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, Charles County Board of Commissioners meeting.
Executive Director Stacy Schaefer said the funding was obtained through a combination of federal, state, and philanthropic grant programs, made possible by the authority’s status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Officials emphasized that the funding does not include Charles County taxpayer dollars, noting that the authority is able to pursue grant opportunities not available to local governments.
The briefing showed a significant increase in funding since 2023, when the authority secured approximately $41,000 in grants during its first year of operations. Funding rose sharply in 2024 and again in 2025, culminating in more than $5.76 million dedicated to climate resilience initiatives countywide.
Officials said the funding supports equitable, nature-based projects aligned with county planning efforts and climate data. By the end of 2025, more than 20 projects were active, under construction, or in planning throughout Charles County.
The Resilience Authority was legislatively created in 2020 by the Maryland General Assembly and the Charles County Commissioners and became Maryland’s first resilience authority. It hired its first executive director in 2023 and received a federal nonprofit designation in 2024, expanding its ability to compete for large-scale funding and partnerships.
Authority leadership identified Charles County government as its primary partner, explaining that projects are designed to advance county priorities related to climate adaptation, environmental justice, and community well-being while leveraging outside funding sources.
Resilience Projects At A Glance
Projects highlighted include the Elite Gymnastics & Recreation Center stormwater pocket park in Waldorf, the Waldorf Senior and Recreation Center accessible pocket park, and the planned Bensville County Park “Nodes of Nature” educational trail.
Additional initiatives include tree equity plantings at nine Charles County public school sites, the Town of Indian Head Tree Equity Plan, living shoreline projects along Popes Creek and in Indian Head, and ongoing workforce and education efforts through the Resilience Authority Youth Corps and the green infrastructure training program.
Watch the Feb. 3 Meeting: CCGTV
See the complete Feb. 3, 2026, Presentation here.
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Another “ Green” boondoggle. Just what will this multi million dollar “ grant”get the citizens of MD ( outside of Charles County) get for their taxpayer contributions ?