Selected Grants Made : 2019
Below is a sampling of grants awarded in 2019. 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 depiction of our grantmaking priorities for 2019.
As noted, the foundation shifted its focus and mission in mid-2017, so grant activity from 2013-2017 may not be indicative of future direction. Grants made in 2018 and beyond are more reflective of our current priorities for 2018-2022. For more information on our grants process, what we’re looking for, and how to apply, visit our Grants Page.
General Grants
Adoptions Together (Maryland) - $10,000, Multiyear 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. Second installment of a three-year, $30,000 commitment.
Baltimore Community ToolBank (Baltimore City and surrounding areas, MD) - $12,000, Multiyear 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. Second installment of a three-year, $36,000 commitment.
Baltimore SquashWise (Baltimore City and surrounding areas, MD) - $5,000, General Operating Support: Baltimore SquashWise provides year-round Out-of-School-Time programming for Baltimore City middle and high school students with academic enrichment, squash and fitness, college/career preparation, mentoring, and ongoing support to age 25.
Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation (Baltimore, MD) - $7,500, Multiyear General Operating Support: Banner Neighborhoods promotes resident-based leadership, neighborhood pride and stability, and provides direct services that contribute to the overall viability of parts of East and Southeast communities in Baltimore City.
CASH Campaign of Maryland (Maryland) - $10,000, General Operating Support: CASH Campaign of Maryland improvides the financial capability of low-to-moderate income families through direct service, advocacy, and systems change
Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (Anne Arundel County, MD) - $5,000, General Operating Support: The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County (CFAAC) inspires and promotes giving in Anne Arundel County by connecting people who care to causes that matter.
Community Wealth Builders, fiscally sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Network (Baltimore, MD) - $15,000, Multiyear General Operating Support: Community Wealth Builders fosters more equitable, inclusive, sustainable neighborhood economies by promoting and catalyzing community wealth building models and strategies across Baltimore City. First installment of a three-year, $45,000 commitment.
Federated Charities (Frederick, MD) - $6,400, Program Specific Support for Nonprofit Center Professional Development: Federated Charities’ nonprofit center provides professional development opportunities for area organizations. Based on community feedback, this program adds a specific program component addressing board development & performance, from recruitment through engagement.
FreeState Justice (Maryland) - $10,000, Multiyear 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. Second installment of a three-year, $30,000 commitment.
Hood College (Frederick, MD) - $10,000, Program-Specific Support for the Frederick Food Security Network: Through an integration of the liberal arts and the professions, Hood College provides an education that empowers students to use their hearts, minds and hands to meet personal, professional and global challenges and to lead purposeful lives of responsibility, leadership, service and civic engagement. Funding to grow the Frederick Food Security Network, a community gardening program addressing food insecurity in Frederick County, Maryland.
Intersection of Change (Baltimore, MD) - $10,000, Program-Specific Support for Strength to Love II Farm: Intersection of Change (IOC) was founded in 1996 to address poverty-related issues in its underserved communities of west Baltimore. IOC's mission is to provide programs that enrich the economic, social, and spiritual lives of those dealing with poverty-related issues in Sandtown-Winchester, Upton, and the surrounding communities. Strength to Love II operates an urban farm that addresses community food desert issues and offers employment to returning citizens.
Life Asset, Inc (Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland) - $10,000, Multiyear Program Specific-Support for Maryland Programs: Life Asset's mission is to help alleviate poverty in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia by empowering people through affordable financial products, services, and education, thereby promoting self-help and self-respect and expanding social and economic opportunities for low-income individuals. Funding supported the expansion of Life Assets’ Microloan and Financial Training Program to more low-income individuals in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Frederick County, creating financial self-sufficiency through small business ownership.
The Light House (Annapolis, Maryland) - $10,000, Multiyear General Operating Support: The Light House is both a facility and a program. Their mission is to help rebuild lives with compassion by providing shelter and services to prevent homelessness and empower people as they transition toward employment, housing and self-sufficiency. First installment of a three-year, $30,000 commitment.
Literacy Council of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $10,000, 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.
Maryland Center on Economic Policy (Maryland) - $10,000, Multiyear 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. Second installment of a three-year, $30,000 commitment.
Maryland Hunger Solutions (Maryland) - $10,000, General Operating Support: Through outreach, advocacy, technical assistance, research, public education, and collaboration, Maryland Hunger Solutions seeks to end hunger, improve nutrition, and promote the well-being of Marylanders in need by ensuring that federal nutrition programs are used the greatest extent possible, and that schools and program providers have access to federal funds to serve food that mets high nutrition standards.
Maryland New Directions (Baltimore, MD) - $6,000, General Operating Support: Maryland New Directions offers job seekers in Baltimore City intensive employment training, industry recognized skill certification opportunities, and holistic supportive services.
Mental Health Association of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $7,500, Program Specific Support for Systems Navigation: Through education, advocacy, empowerment, and treatment, the Mental Health Association of Frederick County helps everyone face their challenges and make lasting positive changes. Through Systems Navigation, a free service, MHA Navigators assist parents and children with multiple or intensive needs related to behavior, development, school, health or mental health, to navigate the services available in Frederick County.
Rob’s Barbershop Community Foundation (Maryland) - $10,000, NAF Grooming Project: Rob’s Barbershop Community Foundation supports projects that improve the grooming, hygiene and well-being of individuals lacking access to regular hygienic care. Funding supported the installation of a full-service barber/beauty salon within the National Academy Foundation. First installment of a three-year, $30,000 commitment.
United Way of Frederick County (Frederick County, MD) - $5,000, ALICE Project & Intervention Model: United Way of Frederick County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of the Frederick County community to advance the common good. Funding supported the 2018 ALICE Report and provide training and analyses to inform local funders about root causes of systemic barriers to education, financial stability, and health, and how to develop solutions.
Village Learning Place (Baltimore, MD) - $5,000, Capacity Building for a Multi-Organizational Collaborative Youth Development and Professional Development Program: Program-specific funding to support the creation of a comprehensive professional development program to benefit staff at six after-school and youth centers in Baltimore, MD.
Woman to Woman Mentoring (Frederick, MD) - $1,400, Capacity Building Support for Census 2020 Outreach: Project-specific funding to purchase and equip technology, including a laptop computer, for Woman to Woman Mentoring to encourage and support completion of Census 2020 responses at monthly client workshops.
Youth Empowered Society, fiscally sponsored by Strong City Baltimore (Baltimore, MD) - $7,500, Multiyear 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. First installment of a one-year, $15,000 commitment.
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 and 2019 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.
Adoptions Together (Maryland) - $3,245.40, Leadership Development Support: Over four small grant awards, staff of Adoptions Together attended the Bridge Conference, the ATTACh Conference, and received technical and software training.
Center for Urban Families (Baltimore, MD) - $1,475, Leadership Development: Three members of the CFUF participated in the Common Cents Conference to better our ability to serve out community through our CASH Campaign VITA tax site.
Community Wealth Builders, fiscally sponsored by Maryland Philanthropy Network (Baltimore, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Support for the Project Director to attend industry conferences and training sessions.
FreeState Justice (Maryland) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Support for one staff person to participate in case management certification programming.
HealthCare Access Maryland (Maryland) - $3,000, Leadership Development: Funding to support senior leadership's attendance at the National Center for Complex Care and Social Needs Annual Conference "Putting Care at the Center"
Heartly House, Inc. (Frederick, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Outreach Manager to participate in Leadership Frederick County to foster networking, professional development, mentorship, and increased community engagement. Co-funded with the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Hood College (Frederick, MD) - $1,665, Leadership Development: Hood College's Frederick Food Security Network Manager attended the 2019 Community Food Systems Conference in Savannah, GA. Co-funded with the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Housing Authority of the City of Frederick (Frederick, MD) - $1,189, Leadership Development: HACF attended the Common Cents Conference, whose teachings allowed staff to deliver impactful programming. Co-funded with the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Lead4Life (Frederick, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Executive coaching for the organization’s Executive Director. Co-funded with the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Literacy Council of Frederick County, Inc. (Frederick, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Support for Program Manager to attend ProLiteracy national adult literacy conference. Co-funded with the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Maryland Center on Economic Policy (Maryland) - $3,000, Leadership Development: Support for two staff members to attend EARNCON, a conference gathering EARN’s nearly 60 groups from 44 states to present research, discuss strategies, and sharpen skills to advance pro-worker and racial justice policies in the 2020 legislative session.
Maryland Farmers Market Association (Maryland) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Support to help offset the cost for the Maryland Farmers Market Association Executive Director to attend the 2019 International Project for Public Spaces Conference in London to learn about innovative market strategies to enhance our work in MD.
Maryland MENTOR (Maryland) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Clear Impact training on the "results-based accountability" framework.
On Our Own of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $1,500, Leadership Development: Leadership development support for the organization’s Executive Director. Co-funded with the Ausherman Family Foundation.
United Way of Frederick County (Frederick, MD) - $623, Leadership Development: Funding to attend the regional Common Cents Conference, critical to United Way’s ability to provide programs in an effective and impactful manner.Co-funded with the Ausherman Family Foundation.