Project Overview
The EFI Foundation (EFIF) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public on issues related to harnessing the power of technology and policy innovation to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Building upon the legacy of the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI), co-founded in 2017 by Ernest J. Moniz, the 13th U.S. Secretary of Energy, EFIF continues to drive impactful research and policy recommendations aimed at decarbonizing the economy while enhancing energy security and creating new job opportunities.
Partnership
The partnership between MG Strategy + Design and the EFI Foundation began at the very inception of EFIF’s journey, shaped by a shared mission: to elevate science-based energy policy and advance a just and equitable clean energy transition. From the outset, our role has extended far beyond that of a typical creative agency. We have operated as a true strategic partner — embedded in EFIF’s communications and publication workflows, regularly collaborating with its leadership, policy experts, and communications staff.
This ongoing relationship is built on trust, responsiveness, and a mutual understanding of the complexity and urgency of EFIF’s work. Over the years, we’ve supported everything from foundational brand development and digital infrastructure to high-stakes federal policy reports and rapid-response content initiatives tied to evolving legislation.
Strategic Embeddedness
Our Team participates regularly in planning sessions and publication timelines, enabling us to anticipate EFIF’s needs and provide proactive solutions — whether that means visualizing late-breaking energy employment data for a congressional briefing or rapidly launching a microsite to coincide with a Department of Energy announcement.
We’ve contributed to EFIF’s work not only through traditional deliverables, but by helping the organization strategize around how design and storytelling can increase the reach and impact of its research. Our recommendations have shaped report structures, narrative framing, and even data sourcing approaches — always with the end-user experience in mind.
A Multi-Disciplinary, Multi-Year Collaboration
Our partnership spans multiple disciplines:
- Design: We’ve created visual systems that bring clarity and cohesion to dense, technical subject matter — making energy data and modeling accessible for both policymakers and the public.
- Editorial Collaboration: Working closely with EFIF’s internal communications team, we help shape messaging and ensure that final products reflect both scientific rigor and narrative coherence.
- Web + Digital: We designed and built EFIF’s website (and related initiatives like H2DI.org), ensuring modern performance, accessibility, and flexibility across devices and audiences.
- Data Visualization: From interactive web tools to static infographics and complex report graphics, we’ve translated thousands of data points into understandable insights.
Long-Term, Impact-Oriented Design Partnerships
This collaboration has proven that strategic design can be more than surface-deep — it can be mission-critical. Our work with EFIF demonstrates how thoughtful design and storytelling can bridge the gap between policy expertise and public engagement.
It also exemplifies the power of a consistent, multi-year engagement: rather than starting from scratch with each project, we’ve built a shared vocabulary and rhythm that enables us to deliver fast, cohesive, and high-quality work at scale.
Matt Mansfield and his stellar team have been invaluable partners from Day One of the EFI Foundation. Talented, responsive, imaginative, and on time, every time. We look forward to many more years of partnership.”
– Ernest J. Moniz, Founder and CEO, EFI Foundation
Major Collaborative Projects
U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER): Originally established under Secretary Moniz at the U.S. Department of Energy, the USEER provides critical data on employment trends across the energy sector. After the report was discontinued by the subsequent administration, EFIF, in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), revived and continued the report until it was reinstated by the DOE in 2021. MG Strategy + Design has been integral in designing and visualizing the report, ensuring that its findings are presented in a clear and compelling manner to inform policy and investment decisions.
Labor Energy Partnership (LEP): In collaboration with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), EFIF launched the Labor Energy Partnership to conduct policy-relevant research and make recommendations for building a clean energy future that supports workers. MG Strategy + Design developed the LEP website, created data visualizations, and designed reports that articulate the partnership’s vision and findings, facilitating broader engagement with labor and industry stakeholders.
U.S. Hydrogen Demand Action Plan: EFIF’s U.S. Hydrogen Demand Action Plan outlines strategies to accelerate the adoption of clean hydrogen across various sectors. MG Strategy + Design assisted in developing a geospatial tool and database to support this initiative, enabling policymakers and project developers to assess market-enabling conditions effectively. In January 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy selected EFIF to lead a consortium aimed at enhancing the market potential of seven hydrogen hubs, drawing inspiration from this action plan. We also designed and developed a standalone website, H2DI.org, to support this initiative.
Impact & Recognition
EFIF’s research and analyses have informed more than ten federal initiatives, including the establishment of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. Their work has been recognized for its analytical independence and commitment to science-based solutions, contributing significantly to national and international energy policy discussions.
Services
Strategy
Digital Design + Development
Brand Identity
Data Visualization
Report Design
Proposal Support
