Selected Grants Made : 2017

Below is a sampling of grants awarded in 2017. 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 2017.

As noted, the foundation shifted its focus and mission in mid-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.

Dollars Awarded in 2017 by Type of Funding

Dollars Awarded in 2017 by Geographic Area of Focus

Dollars Awarded in 2017 by Issue Area

General Grants

Adoptions Together (Maryland) - $12,500, General Operating Support: Adoptions Together is a child and family health and welfare agency that provides therapeutic support and education for children and their families, works to build healthy, lifelong connections between children and families, and provides advocacy for best practices in child welfare systems. Their programs strive to ensure that children of all ages have the opportunity to grow up in healthy, supportive and permanent families by addressing the issues of abuse, neglect and family stability.
Baltimore Community ToolBank (Baltimore City and surrounding areas, MD) - $15,000, General Operating Support: The Baltimore Community ToolBank serves hundreds of community-based organizations annually with a wealth of tools and resources. In addition to their tool lending program, the ToolBank intentionally connects partners to each other in order to share knowledge, skills and resources to make our communities vibrant.
Challengers Independent Living, Inc. (Baltimore County, MD) - $5,000, Capacity Building Support: Challengers provides comprehensive independent life skills training to individuals ages 15-21 and living in foster care, in order to prepare them for a positive and productive self-sufficient life post discharge from foster care. Funding supporting the implementation of evaluation software to effectively collect, track and report on client, donor, and staff/volunteer data for the organization.
Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership (Frederick, MD) - $1,209, 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.

Community Foundation of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $5,000, Updated Frederick County Needs Assessment: The Community Foundation of Frederick County is dedicated to connecting people who care with causes that matter to enrich the quality of life in Frederick County now and for future generations. Funding supported the 2018 update of the county’s community and human needs assessment.
Homeless Persons Representation Project (Baltimore City, MD) - $5,000, General Operating Support: HPRP's mission is to end homelessness in Maryland by providing free legal services, including advice, counsel, education, representation and advocacy, for low-income persons who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our staff and volunteers pursue this mission by offering legal services through outreach in shelters, soup kitchens, welfare offices, community centers and on the street. Our direct representation informs broader-based systemic advocacy and impact litigation to address the root causes of homelessness.
Humanim, Inc. (Baltimore City, MD) - $12,500, City Seeds Program: Humanim's Social Enterprise Division works towards job creation; skill building and workforce placement for those with barriers to employment; wealth-building for low-income and minority communities; small business development; and supply chain connections. The City Seeds program, a culinary social enterprise model, is creating jobs and providing training within the food sector by fulfilling large-scale contracts from local anchor institutions and large-scale purchasers. City Seeds also runs a food sector entrepreneurial program.
Maryland Center on Economic Policy (Maryland) - $15,000, General Operating Support: The Maryland Center on Economic Policy advances innovative policy ideas to foster broad prosperity and help our state be the standard-bearer for responsible public policy. MDCEP engages in research, analysis, strategic communications, public education, and grassroots alliances promoting robust debate and greater public awareness of the policy choices Maryland residents face.
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) - $5,000 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.
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs (Frederick County) - $5,000, Case Management for Families with Children: 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.
Thread (Baltimore City) - $5,000, General Operating Support: Thread engages academically underperforming high school students confronting significant barriers outside of the classroom by providing each one with a family of committed volunteers and increased access to community resources.
University of Baltimore Foundation, University of Baltimore School of Law Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (Baltimore City, MD) - $10,000, Court Truancy Program: Established in 2000, CFCC’s mission is to create, foster, and support local, state, and national movements to integrate communities, families, and the justice system in order to improve the lives of families and the health of the community. CFCC’s activities center around generating policy initiatives, preparing action-oriented reports and projects, and providing educational programs that focus on the wide range of issues that affect relationships among parents, children, the courts, schools, and the community.

Youth Empowered Society, fiscally sponsored by Strong City Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) - $10,000, 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.

Leadership Development Grants

The Leadership Development Grants Program, which awards organizations with up to 2 grants of a maximum of $1,500 each, was piloted in 2017. The goal of the program is to provide professional development support to non-profit staff (and/or key volunteers, depending on organization structure). Based on the high demand for the program in 2017, as well as feedback received from both applicants and recipients, the program was renewed at twice the budget for 2018. Additional funding for 2018 was made available for Frederick non-profits through co-funding provided by the Ausherman Family Foundation. More information about the program, including updates and announcements for future years of funding, can be found here.

Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center (Anne Arundel County, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: The Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center is the premier volunteer connector in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis. Annually, the Volunteer Center helps more than 4,000 individuals, families, corporate and community groups find volunteer opportunities at 360+ community organizations. Funding provided leadership development budget for one staff person.

Baltimore Urban Debate League (Baltimore City, MD) - $1,300, Leadership Development: The Baltimore Urban Debate League promotes the use of argumentation and debate as tools to empower students to develop educated, informed, and confident voices that improve opportunities in their lives. Funding supported professional development for the organization’s Director of Development.
FreeState Justice (Baltimore, MD) - $5,000, 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.
Friends of Patterson Park (Baltimore City, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: The Friends of Patterson Park ensures the park’s vitality as a treasured green space, and encourages use and appreciation by neighbors, visitors, and future generations. Funding supported fundraising training for staff and board members.

Humanim, Inc. (Baltimore City, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Humanim’s identifies those in greatest need and provides uncompromising human services. Humanim’s vision is that all people in our community have access to the human services that they need. Diverse and complimentary programs benefit the individual served, their families, referral sources, and the local community. Funding supported professional development and certification for one manager-level staff person.
Maryland Environmental Health Network, fiscally sponsored by the Association of Baltimore-Area Grantmakers (Baltimore, MD) - $1,430, Leadership Development: The Maryland Environmental Health Network seeks to improve the health of Marylanders by minimizing exposures to environmental threats and toxic chemicals through effective environmental legislation and institutional policies. Funding provided executive coaching for one staff person.

Pigtown Main Street (Baltimore, MD) - $2,770, Leadership Development: Since 2000, Pigtown Main Street, has led the revitalization of the Washington Boulevard commercial corridor in Historic Pigtown, a neighborhood of Southwest Baltimore City. The organization offers technical assistance to small business owners; partners with property owners to recruit new small businesses; implements clean, green and safe initiatives; and hosts free neighborhood events that foster community pride and attract customers. Funding supporting professional development opportunities for two staff people.