About Us

Mission

The Fuel Fund of Maryland aims to be a lifeline for our vulnerable Maryland neighbors struggling with a home utility hardship. We assist by providing navigation through an array of financial and community resources that empower, engage, and safely connect a household in times of crisis.

Overview

The Fuel Fund was incorporated in 1981 as the Fuel Fund of Central Maryland, following the nation's first energy crisis during the late 1970s when an oil embargo squeezed supply, and energy prices soared. Hardest hit were those people least able to pay dramatic cost increases.

Victorine Q. Adams, a Baltimore City councilwoman and noted civil rights activist, intervened and the earliest version of the Fuel Fund was born. She was moved to do so when a couple in her council district froze to death in their home. Adams vowed that this would never happen again under her watch.

Today an integrated network of fuel funds across the nation carries on Mrs. Adam's vision.

With the onset of the deregulation of the electric utility industry, the Fuel Fund changed its name to Fuel Fund of Maryland, Inc. At every stage of the life of the Fuel Fund, its focus has been solely on the essential energy needs of households for whom energy is unaffordable.

Families who receive help always pay a portion of the balance and the Fuel Fund pays the rest to bring the balance down to zero to give them a fresh start.  In this way, the Fuel Fund supplements the resources of each household.

Likewise, in order to use all of the resources that are available for households, the Fuel Fund refers applicants to the government-funded programs that operate out of the state Office of Home Energy Programs. Often a household receives adequate assistance from these programs. If they are still in need, the Fuel Fund of Maryland helps.

Performance

The Fuel Fund prides itself on its ability to deliver its crisis intervention programs efficiently with accountability and sustainbility.  In 2023, Fuel Fund of Maryland received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Transparency rating from Charity Navigator.

Our organization is passionate, collaborative, diverse, and an inclusive work environment while being proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to being compassionate, empathetic, reflective, and authentic to both our clientele and stakeholders.

Executive Committee

President

Dale Linaweaver, Energy Industry Management Consultant 

Vice President

Scott Thompson, President and CEO, DuraBante LLC

Treasurer

Lauren Zeigler, Rosen, Sapperstein & Friedlander, LLC 

Secretary 

Brandi Nieland, Director of Consumer Assistance, Office of the People's Counsel

Directors

Phil Leadore, Sr. IT Advisor, Hartman Executive Advisors

Marcus Walker, Director of Customer Financial Operations, BGE

Todd Carter, Chief Information and Digital Officer, Baltimore City

John E. Pastalow, III, Ameriprise Financial

Beth Perlman, Gartner

Tierra L. Dotson, Nautilus Solar

Robert W. Helm, Esquire, Retired, Dechert LLP

 

Executive Committee 

President

Dale Linaweaver, Energy Industry Management Consultant

Vice President

Scott Thompson, President and CEO, DuraBante LLC

Treasurer

Lauren Zeigler, Rosen, Sapperstein & Friedlander, LLC

Secretary 

Brandi Nieland, Director of Consumer Assistance, Office of the People's Counsel

Past Chair

Jody Costa, Vice President of Marketing, Barcoding, Inc.

Jack Ramey, Wealth Advisor, WBH Advisory

Sean Dunphy, Vice President Commercial Banking, First National Bank

Staff

Debbie Brown, Executive Director

Brianna Dorsey, Program Director

Denise Griffin, Development Director

Erica Lambert, Gift Processing Administration

Kenyatta Starke, Program Specialist

Crystal Radcliffe, Program Associate

Tokia Day, Human Resources Manager

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