Community Development
We encourage initiatives that attract resident investment in neighborhoods, promote sustainability, increase economic development opportunities, and nurture entrepreneurial talent. We aim to increase the livability of neighborhoods, the number of residents, the number of jobs, and the size of the tax base. We are interested in programs that address concentrated poverty, racial wealth disparities, and tie the economic health of Baltimore City to the region.
As successful households are key to neighborhood health, we support efforts to:
Case Study: Astor Court Apartments
Two decades ago, the Abell Foundation saw a need to help attract new teachers to Baltimore and support them in their first years of the profession. Abell combined its commitments to education, community development, and mission-related investments in a unique effort to provide teachers with affordable housing and a supportive community of fellow educators. In 2005, Astor Court Apartments became one of the first purpose-built housing projects for teachers in the country.
The Stop Oppressive Seizures (SOS) Fund takes a multi-faceted approach to protecting homeownership and preserving residents’ ability to stay in their homes. Ninety percent of SOS clients have an income that falls below 80% of the area median, and 81% identify as Black or African American.
Black Women Build – Baltimore (BWB-B) is a homeownership and wealth-building initiative that trains Black women in residential construction skills by restoring vacant and disinvested houses in West Baltimore. The homes are available for purchase to those who have contributed time and work to the renovations.
Have questions or want to discuss your idea for community development in Baltimore? Get in touch using the form below.
Header photo courtesy of ReBUILD Metro.