Selected Grants Made : 2016

Below is a sampling of grants awarded in 2016. Additional grantmaking activities may be reflected on the foundation's form 990-PF. This list, however, is representative of the grants approved by the board as a whole (exclusive of discretionary gifts) and is an accurate representation of our grantmaking priorities for 2016.

Dollars Awarded in 2016 by Issue Area

Dollars Awarded in 2016 by Type of Funding

Dollars Awarded in 2016 by Geographic Area of Focus

As noted, the foundation shifted its focus and mission in 2017, so past grant activities may not be indicative of future directions. For more information on our grants process and how to apply, visit our Grants Page.

Baltimore Green Space (Baltimore, MD) - $1,000, General Operating Support: Baltimore Green Space partners with communities to preserve and support community gardens, forest patches, pocket parks, and other open spaces managed by city residents. At the request of community groups, Baltimore Green Space acquires community-managed open spaces and provides support to those who care for them.
Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation (Baltimore, MD) - $10,000, Neighborhood Youth Programs: Banner’s Neighborhood Youth Programs provide youth ages 6 – 18 years old a structured, safe and supportive environment where they can learn individual responsibility; experience the importance of community service and civic engagement; interact with positive role models; and acquire life skills that will foster their success in life.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake (Baltimore, MD) - $2,500, General Operating Support: Big Brothers Big Sisters at the Y* operates under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. Big Brothers Big Sisters programs provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. (*Since 2016, Big Brothers Big Sisters programs have been incorporated into the YMCA of Central Maryland.)
Challengers Independent Living, Inc. (Baltimore County, MD) - $500, General Operating Support: Challengers Independent Living, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing independent life-skills services to teens and young adults who are living in long-term foster care.
Charm City Youth Lacrosse (Baltimore, MD) - $4,000, General Operating Support: Charm City Youth Lacrosse League is the only league of its kind in Baltimore City. They aim to build a full scale league modeled after the best leagues in the Baltimore area by starting with our youngest players and getting kids involved in structured athletics before they are pulled into less positive activities.
Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership (Frederick, MD) - $2,252, General Operating Support: COIPP believes that children of incarcerated parents are a group of children who lack a voice of their own. They work to give them such a voice in the community, in the schools, and in their family via resources and programs to meet the needs of the children and their caregivers.
College Girl, Inc., (Baltimore, MD) - $5,000, General Operating Support: College Girl Inc. serves young women in Baltimore City and Baltimore County by providing college readiness programming and mentoring from high school through college.
The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (Annapolis, MD) - $15,000, Capacity Building Support: The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County nurtures a caring community of donors committed to working together to make meaningful, lasting and positive change in Anne Arundel County. With support from local donors, the Community Foundation is building a permanent source of philanthropic dollars dedicated to addressing the county's changing needs. This capacity-building grant, made in partnership with the O'Neill Foundation, expanded CFAAC's marketing and communications efforts.
Dyslexia Tutoring Program (Baltimore, MD) - $7,500, General Operating Support: The Dyslexia Tutoring Program teaches low-income children and adults with dyslexia or a language-based learning disability to read through a professional screening assessment and tutoring by volunteers trained in The Orton-Gillingham method of reading, writing, and spelling.
Enoch Pratt Free Library (Baltimore, MD) - $5,000, Family Reading Circles: The Enoch Pratt Free Library serves the residents of Baltimore with locations throughout the city, and the residents of Maryland as the State Library Resource Center. Their Family Reading Circles program allows families to take part in intergenerational reading groups that help strengthen reading comprehension and stimulate and generate engaging discussions.
FreeState Justice (Maryland) - $10,000, General Operating Support: FreeState Justice seeks to improve the lives of LGBTQ youth through legal services to represent LGBTQ youth in court; training service providers and government agencies in effectively serving LGBTQ youth; and policy advocacy.
Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley (Frederick, MD) - $3,000, Creative Expressions Youth Program: Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley is a nonprofit organization that believes in giving people “a hand up, not a hand out.” Goodwill Industries' youth programming aims to connect community youth with career exploration opportunities through internships, volunteering, and employment experiences.
Irvine Nature Center (Baltimore County, MD) - $10,000, Urban Education Initiative: Located just northwest of Baltimore, Irvine Nature Center is a leading environmental education center with 70,000 visitors a year. The Center's Urban Education Initiative engages Baltimore City youth and families in the Center's nature activities.
The Light House (Annapolis, MD) - $35,000, BEST Catering Van: Light House Bistro and B.E.S.T. Catering are self-sustaining and revenue generating social enterprises that support the ongoing workforce development and housing programs at The Light House. Located on the property of our former shelter at 202 West Street, The Light House Bistro is a 50-seat full-service restaurant that provides employment opportunities for over 40 of our workforce development graduates. Our 202 West Street property is also home to our B.E.S.T. Catering's advanced culinary catering kitchen.
Literacy Council of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $15,000, Multiyear General Operating Support: The Literacy Council of Frederick County teaches adults the reading and other English language skills they need to provide for their families and contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the community.
Literacy Council of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $5,000, Capacity Building Support: The Literacy Council of Frederick County teaches adults the reading and other English language skills they need to provide for their families and contribute to the well-being and prosperity of the community.
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (Baltimore, MD) - $2,500, Expungement Project: MVLS is a private, non-profit legal services provider established in 1981 to help meet the need for civil legal services in Maryland. The organization provides quality civil legal assistance to Marylanders with limited income at low or no cost.
Mental Health Association of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $7,500, Systems Navigation: Systems Navigation is a free service to assist parents and children with multiple or intensive needs related to behavior, development, school, health, or mental health, to navigate existing services available in Frederick County.
Parks and People Foundation (Baltimore, MD) - $10,000 BRANCHES Youth Leadership for Change: The Parks & People Foundation is dedicated to supporting a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities; creating and sustaining beautiful and lively parks; and promoting a healthy natural environment for Baltimore. The BRANCHES Program supports youth employment and leadership development for Baltimore youth.
Paul's Place (Baltimore, MD) - $15,000, Children & Youth Programs: Paul’s Place is a catalyst and leader for change, improving the quality of life in the Southwest Baltimore communities. Paul’s Place provides programs, services, and support that strengthen individuals and families, fostering hope, personal dignity and growth. Their Children and Youth Programs promote academic success, providing mentoring, and improving life skills for community children and youth.
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs (Frederick County), Case Management for Families with Children, $5,000: The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs coordinates donations of time, talent, money, food and other resources to meet the urgent needs of people of Frederick County. The Coalition works toward a more just and compassionate society.
Rob's Barbershop Community Foundation (Anne Arundel County, MD) - $5,000, Woodland Grooming Project: Rob's Barbershop Community Foundation supports projects that improve the grooming, hygiene and well-being of target populations who lack access to regular personal care products and services.
TasteWise Kids (Baltimore, MD) - $4,500, Strategic Planning: TasteWise Kids is dedicated to educating kids about food, from source to plate and to increase their appreciation of fresh foods. Incorporated in 2015, TasteWise Kids developed a strategic plan with the assistance of an outside consultant to set their organizational direction for the coming years.
Youth Empowered Society (Baltimore, MD) - $20,000, General Operating Support: YES Drop-In Center is Baltimore City’s first and only opportunities. and allies that them make and sustain connections to long-term resources and drop-in center for homeless youth. YES Drop-In Center is a safe space for youth who are homeless and between the ages of 14-25, to get basic needs met and establish supportive relationships with peer staff.