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Lanham, Maryland

Progressive Maryland Education Fund

Progressive Maryland Education Fund (PMEF) was founded in 2000 to build a society and economy that works for all Marylanders, with special emphasis on traditionally marginalized groups – low and moderate-income residents, people of color, women, LGBTQ+, and all oppressed and exploited people. As seen across much of the US, marginalized communities in Maryland face income inequality; high mortality rates and chronic disease; and disparities in access to health insurance, primary and specialty healthcare resources, and public transport. A litany of concerns have also been identified about disproportionate environmental burdens in communities of color and low-income communities. These include lead-paint, air pollution, Superfund sites, and toxic dump sites. Through grassroots action, PMEF works to empower communities to act for social and economic justice, developing leaders, forming alliances, shifting public opinion, and advancing economic, racial, and environmental justice in Maryland.

Progressive Maryland Education Fund

PMEF is the 501(c)(3) arm of Progressive Maryland. With a strong belief that system change can only be achieved when those most impacted by socioeconomic, climate and environmental injustices have a voice, PMEF’s main strategy is community organizing and leadership development in low capacity, historically marginalized communities. This action enables residents to leverage the resources needed to make direct change in their communities. PMEF is outspoken on matters that include political corruption and environmental hazards and have pushed for more equitable spending of public money. Over the past two decades, PMEF has helped win important victories, including increasing the state minimum wage to $15 per hour, bail and police reform, legislation to combat income inequality between men and women, making childcare and prescription drugs more affordable, campaign finance reform in three counties, and paid sick leave for thousands of workers across Maryland.

Progressive Maryland Education Fund

Contact
Larry Stafford, Executive Director
Climate impacts
Flooding (ocean, riverine, urban), Heat, Hurricanes/Tropical Storms
Strategies
Nature-based solutions and green infrastructure (example: wetland restoration), Legal/permit challenges to development, contamination, pollution, etc, Land trusts / conservation, Political activism, including protests, petitions, and lobbying, Community organizing and education, Legislation/policy reform
Environmental Justice Concerns
Lead contamination, Hazardous/toxic sites, Air pollution, Fighting development/destruction of wildlife/extinction of species
501c3 Tax Deductible
Yes
Accepting Donation
Yes