DC Green Bank
DC Green Bank is the District of Columbia's quasi-governmental green finance authority, deploying loans and PACE financing for solar, green buildings, stormwater, and clean transportation projects, with a mission-driven focus on low- and moderate-income communities in Wards 5, 7, and 8.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What DC Green Bank does
DC Green Bank, formally the DC Green Finance Authority, is a quasi-governmental green bank chartered by the District of Columbia under the Green Finance Authority Establishment Act of 2018 and operational since April 2020. It is the District's dedicated public-purpose financing institution for clean energy and climate-resilience projects, deploying loans and PACE-style financing for solar energy, green buildings, stormwater infrastructure, and clean transportation. The portfolio is concentrated in Washington, D.C., with explicit prioritization of low- and moderate-income communities and underserved wards (notably Wards 5, 7, and 8), aligning with District climate-equity policy and statutory mission.
The product set comprises DC PACE financing, Direct Financing for larger projects, Navigator Pre-Development Loans for early-stage project preparation, a Small Business Loan Fund, the Community Impact Initiative (CII) Loan, and vertical-specific facilities for Solar, Green Buildings, Stormwater, and Clean Transportation. Distribution is partnership-led: DC Green Bank co-invests with mission-aligned counterparties such as Enterprise Community Partners, Howard University, PosiGen, Flywheel Development, Jonathan Rose Companies, Somerset Development Company, Housing Up, LISC, and the DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU), and it structures deals alongside private capital providers including Forbright Bank and Stonehill PACE. The institution is a member of the international Green Bank Network (joined at COP26 in November 2021) and the Coalition for Green Capital (joined April 2023).
The business model is that of a mission-driven wholesale and project lender rather than a retail originator. DC Green Bank earns interest income on its loan book and origination/financing fees on transactions; it does not disclose revenue, and its small operating team (1-10 employees) reflects its lean structure. Governance is overseen by a board chaired by Brandi Colander. Following the October 2022 departure of founding CEO Eli Hopson, CFO Jean Nelson-Houpert serves as interim CEO. Capital deployment scaled from approximately $2 million in FY2020 to roughly $26 million in FY2022, with cumulative originations exceeding $90 million.
DC Green Bank firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DC Green Bank
- Legal name
- DC Green Finance Authority
- Website
- https://dcgreenbank.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- DC Green Bank is the District of Columbia's quasi-governmental green finance authority, deploying loans and PACE financing for solar, green buildings, stormwater, and clean transportation projects, with a mission-driven focus on low- and moderate-income communities in Wards 5, 7, and 8.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DC Green Bank industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Green Finance / Clean Energy Lending
- NAICS
- Depository Credit Intermediation (5221)
- SIC
- Federal & Federally-Sponsored Credit Agencies (6111)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Green/Climate Development Banks & Funds (FSABAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Energy Efficiency & Green Retrofit Financing (FSALAHAK), Sustainable Infrastructure & Resilient Cities Funds (FSANAJAC), Climate Finance Funds & Green Investment Facilities (BPADACAH), Green Tariffs & Utility Renewable Supply Programs (EUAGADAJ)
Keywords
Where DC Green Bank is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DC Green Bank business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Loan Interest and Financing Fees: DC Green Bank generates revenue through interest on loans and financing fees for clean energy projects, sustainable building upgrades, stormwater management, and solar installations in the District of Columbia.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Navigator Pre-Development Loans |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
DC Green Bank product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DC Green Bank provides direct green financing solutions for clean energy, energy-efficient buildings, small businesses, and community-serving organizations in Washington D.C. Its core product lines include DC PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing for building upgrades, Direct Financing loans for solar, green buildings, stormwater, and clean transportation projects, Navigator pre-development loans ($10,000–$250,000+), a Small Business Loan Fund, and the Community Impact Initiative (CII) loan program. The bank serves as the District's official green finance authority, deploying patient capital into underserved communities.
Product overview
DC Green Bank operates as a green finance institution offering a portfolio of financial products and programs to accelerate clean energy deployment in Washington, D.C. The organization provides direct financing solutions alongside specialized programs including DC PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) for building upgrades, the Navigator pre-development loan product (in partnership with Inclusive Prosperity Capital) for sustainable design costs, and a Small Business Loan Fund for facility and equipment efficiency upgrades. Core investment areas span solar energy systems, green/efficient buildings, stormwater infrastructure, and clean transportation/electric vehicle charging. The bank targets community-serving organizations, affordable housing providers, contractors, building owners, and residents, with specific focus on underserved communities in Wards 5, 7, and 8.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DC PACE Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing mechanism that enables private lenders to finance building upgrades and new construction of high-performance buildings, with repayment through the city's property assessment. Property owners can implement energy efficiency enhancements without large upfront costs, typically repaying over 15 or 20 years. The repayment stays with the property when sold.
- Direct Financing Direct lending solutions provided by DC Green Bank to finance clean energy projects, solar installations, green buildings, and sustainable infrastructure for District businesses, organizations, and residents.
- Navigator Pre-Development Loan Pre-development loan product developed in partnership with Inclusive Prosperity Capital, supporting customized design of sustainable improvements for commercial buildings, community-based nonprofit organization buildings, and multifamily or mixed-use properties. Loans range from $10,000 to $250,000+ for energy audits, benchmarking, design, engineering, and bidding work.
- Small Business Loan Fund Affordable financing available for small businesses to invest in more efficient facilities, equipment, and operations, increasing cash flow for District small businesses pursuing sustainability upgrades.
- Community Impact Initiative (CII) Loan Loan program for community-based organizations and faith-based institutions to pursue building efficiency upgrades, cooling system improvements, and capital improvements that have been deferred.
- Solar Energy Financing Financing solutions for solar energy systems, including rooftop solar, solar carports, and community solar installations, supporting the District's Solar for All program and LMI resident access to renewable energy.
- Green Buildings Financing Financing for energy-efficient buildings and green building upgrades, supporting compliance with DC's Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) and Zero Net Energy Building standards.
- Stormwater Infrastructure Financing Financing for green infrastructure projects that manage and clean stormwater runoff, supporting DC's Stormwater Retention Credit Trading Program and MS4 compliance.
- Clean Transportation Financing Financing for electric vehicle charging stations and transportation electrification projects, supporting clean mobility across the District.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over $90 million in loans deployed to date
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use DC Green Bank
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
DC Green Bank technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
DC Green Bank partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Coalition for Green CapitalcoreDC Green Bank joined as partner in Coalition's nationwide green bank initiative preparing to seek EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Collective goal of delivering over $13.5B in projects over several years.
- Connecticut Green BankcoreStrategic partnership joining national green bank coalition. Connecticut Green Bank has deployed over $2.25 billion for clean energy projects, leveraging $7 in private capital for every $1 of public funds.
- Inter-Tribal Trade ConsortiumcorePartnership in national green bank coalition to deliver clean energy projects to Tribal Nations and provide technical resources for transition away from fossil fuels.
- Stonehill PACEmajorPartnership for nearly $5 million PACE financing for 13-story residential condominium energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades with projected $6.7 million in energy cost savings over 30 years.
- Forbright BankmajorPartnership through DC PACE Program for nearly $2 million in solar energy project financing across properties in Wards 2 and 3, generating approximately 400,000 kWh in annual energy savings.
- Enterprise Community Partnerscore$12.4 million investment partnership to install 2.2 MW of solar panels at four affordable housing properties serving 536 homes. DC Green Bank provided $3.75 million in construction financing.
- Rainplancore$2 million initial loan for commercial and residential stormwater management projects across DC with focus on Wards 5, 7, and 8. Innovative platform approach enabling diverse property owners to pursue affordable stormwater projects.
- Howard Universitymajor$6 million deal with Volt Energy for 1.5 MW solar installations across Howard University campus, the largest solar deployment on an HBCU campus.
- PosiGenmajor$7 million transaction to install 300 residential solar projects for LMI residents in Ward 5 and 8, bringing solar energy to households that would otherwise be left behind.
- Jonathan Rose Companiescore$1.85 million pre-development loan for Faircliff Plaza East affordable housing redevelopment targeting LEED Platinum and PHIUS+ certifications with all-electric, zero fossil fuel design.
- Medici Roadmajor$250,000 pre-development loan for sustainable mixed-use building in Ward 7 featuring 13 affordable condos, grocery store, rooftop solar, and stormwater recycling. Projected to create 65 local jobs.
- Green Compassmajor$650,000 revolving loan facility for green infrastructure projects managing stormwater runoff in Wards 5, 7, and 8. Projects include de-paving and green space creation, diverting up to 250,000 gallons per storm.
- Flywheel DevelopmentcoreStrategic partnership for community solar installations across Southeast Washington. $3.2 million partnership to install solar panels at six condominium communities, cutting electricity bills in half for 230 LMI residents and generating $2.3 million in savings over 15 years.
- Inclusive Prosperity CapitalcorePartnership to develop and offer the Navigator pre-development loan product for sustainable improvements to commercial buildings, nonprofits, and multifamily properties. Navigator fills critical gap in District's sustainable funding landscape.
- DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DCSEU)coreDCSEU is a strategic partner of DC Green Bank, operating programs to save District residents and businesses money and energy. DCSEU offers workforce development externships and operates the Solar for All program.
- Somerset Development CompanycoreDevelopment partner for Faircliff Plaza East 125-unit affordable housing project in Columbia Heights, increasing affordable units by 50% while achieving highest sustainability standards.
- Housing UpmajorPartner in Faircliff Plaza East project, with construction of 125 affordable units in Columbia Heights alongside Novel 14 market rate apartments.
- Prospect SolarminorLocal solar installer partnered with Enterprise Community Development for rooftop installations at affordable housing properties.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DC Green Bank competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Connecticut Green Bank: Connecticut's state-authorized green bank and the U.S. pioneer of the model. Closest direct peer to DC Green Bank — same statutory green-bank structure, same clean energy/building/stormwater/transportation mandate, and named co-partner in DCGB's national Coalition for Green Capital membership.
- Coalition for Green Capital: National nonprofit building the framework for a nationwide U.S. green bank. DCGB is a partner via its founder Eli Hopson (who joined CGC as COO/Executive Director); CGC is shaping the GGRF application space in which DCGB competes and benefits.
- Inclusive Prosperity Capital: Mission-driven green financing nonprofit that co-developed DC Green Bank's Navigator pre-development loan product. Operates as a comparable community-scale green finance intermediary targeting LMI and underserved borrowers.
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI that co-provided the $500K predevelopment loan on DC Green Bank's Faircliff Plaza East project. Provides comparable affordable housing and community development financing with climate overlay.
- NY Green Bank: Wholly owned by NYSERDA, NY Green Bank is a state-level green financing institution providing credit and investment capital for clean energy, with a similar direct-lending and PACE-adjacent mandate. Most directly comparable mission-aligned public green bank in the U.S.
- Green Energy Fund / Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority: State-authorized green energy financing program in Hawaii offering low-cost loans for clean energy improvements. Peer structure of a state-level green financing authority using ratepayer-backed capital for PACE-style lending.
- Colorado Clean Energy Fund: Colorado nonprofit green finance institution providing loans for residential and commercial clean energy upgrades, with explicit focus on LMI and rural borrowers. Mission and product set closely mirror DC Green Bank.
Broad incumbents
- Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC): Australia's national green bank investing across renewables, energy efficiency, and clean infrastructure. A scaled, mature peer validating the green-bank institutional model that DCGB operates within at much smaller scale.
Emerging players
- Enterprise Community Partners: National affordable housing and community development nonprofit partnered with DC Green Bank on the $12.4M, 2.2 MW solar deployment. Operates its own climate-finance and Green Communities programs with overlapping LMI mission.
- PosiGen: Residential solar and energy efficiency provider that is both a DC Green Bank counterparty ($7M, 300 LMI solar projects) and a comparable LMI-focused solar finance operator with overlapping customer segments.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DC Green Bank social profiles
Digital presenceDC Green Bank financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DC Green Bank leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
DC Green Bank funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DC Green Bank M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DC Green Bank
What does DC Green Bank do?
DC Green Bank provides direct green financing solutions for clean energy, energy-efficient buildings, small businesses, and community-serving organizations in Washington D.C. Its core product lines include DC PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) financing for building upgrades, Direct Financing loans for solar, green buildings, stormwater, and clean transportation projects, Navigator pre-development loans ($10,000–$250,000+), a Small Business Loan Fund, and the Community Impact Initiative (CII) loan program. The bank serves as the District's official green finance authority, deploying patient capital into underserved communities.
Is DC Green Bank a public or private company?
DC Green Bank is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was DC Green Bank founded?
DC Green Bank was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is DC Green Bank based?
DC Green Bank is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does DC Green Bank make money?
One revenue line is on record: loan Interest and Financing Fees.
Who are DC Green Bank's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Connecticut Green Bank, Coalition for Green Capital, Inclusive Prosperity Capital, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), NY Green Bank, Green Energy Fund / Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority and Colorado Clean Energy Fund. Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Enterprise Community Partners and PosiGen.
Does DC Green Bank have an API?
No public API is recorded for DC Green Bank.
What industry is DC Green Bank in?
DC Green Bank's product category is Green Finance / Clean Energy Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSABAKAH, Green/Climate Development Banks & Funds, with a secondary code of FSALAHAK, Energy Efficiency & Green Retrofit Financing. Its NAICS code is 5221 and its SIC code is 6111.