Byte Back
$100,000 / 2019 / Workforce Development
Byte Back is a Washington, DC nonprofit organization that trains low-income adults with no computer experience in learning the basic fundamental skills of how to turn on a computer, use a mouse and use Microsoft Office applications. Byte Back then works step by step with students to build upon those skills, preparing students to earn industry-recognized IT credentials. Byte Back has expanded to Baltimore, and with support from the Abell Foundation, plans to serve at least 100 Baltimore residents over the next year, placing 36 program graduates into jobs requiring IT skills. Byte Back plans to offer classes at Strong City Baltimore’s Adult Learning Center, the Center for Urban Families and Open Works. Byte Back also plans to offer onsite industry-recognized certification and apprenticeship training to 20 students at Green Street Academy.
BioTechnical Institute of Maryland, Inc.
$80,000 / 2019 / Workforce Development
Over the past year, 49 individuals enrolled into BioSTART, with 43 students (or 88%) completing the six-week program. All 43 students enrolled in the nine-week Lab Associates program. Of these students, 14 completed training, and 20 are completing their internships. BTI estimates that 70% of the graduates will be placed into research laboratory and manufacturing technician positions at an average wage of at least $14.75/hour. In the coming year, BTI plans to train 45 Baltimore residents, maintaining high job placement and retention rates of all graduates.
Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation
$35,000 / 2019 / Community Development
Banner Neighborhoods provides low-income senior and disabled homeowners with home repairs, handicap modifications and tasks that involve climbing ladders or require heavy lifting. Relieving homeowners of the cost and difficulty of completing home repairs and maintenance enables them to age in place and retain their community ties and social networks. The exterior house improvements, and in some cases tree and vine removal in yards, are critical to keeping senior’s home compliant with code, avoiding environmental citations and municipal fines that unpaid can lead to tax sale and loss of a home.
Baltimore Robotics League, fiscally sponsored by the Fund for Educational Excellence
$75,000 / 2019 / Education
In its sixth year, the Baltimore City Robotics League will continue to expand the STEM pipeline by sponsoring at least 90 FIRST Lego, Jr. FIRST Lego, VEX IQ, and VEX extracurricular robotics teams for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Directed by a City Schools Robotics Coordinator, The League provides intensive training/equipment for coaches; sponsors and provides fees for local, state and national robotics tournaments; and will launch a summer camp for the first time in 2020. The League expects to send 8 City teams to the World VEX Competition and the US Open Championships.
Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.
$85,000 / 2019 / Education
Sponsored by the Abell Foundation and Baltimore City Public Schools since 2004, Baltimore Kids Chess offers an academic extracurricular program that serves more than 750 children from kindergarten to 12th grade in 40 schools. Teams practice weekly under the auspices of trained chess coaches and compete in novice, local, state and national chess tournaments sponsored by the United States Chess Federation. Baltimore City chess players have gained acclaim for City Schools as a powerhouse; three Kids Chess League teams are expected to advance to the 2020 USCF Nationals.
