Farm Alliance of Baltimore, Inc.
$35,000 / 2018 / Community Development
The Farm Alliance is a network of 16 urban farms working collectively to improve the viability of urban farming, repurpose vacant land into productive use, and increase food access to all residents through a cooperative farmers market stand, collective branding and marketing, shared tools, and training. Food is a determinant of health and recent studies indicate a strong correlation between healthy food access, life expectancy and premature death due to cardiovascular disease. This grant enables SNAP (food stamp) recipients to match fruit and vegetable purchases from the farms through the Double Dollars program, and pays for cooking demonstrations and nutrition education by a wellness business owned by women of color.
Emerging Technology Centers, Inc.
$275,000 / 2018 / Community Development
In 2019, Emerging Technology Centers will competitively select up to six companies to participate in the eighth cohort of Accelerate Baltimore. The accelerated technology and innovation incubation program includes 13-weeks of hands-on instruction and workshops, access to mentors, connections to potential partners and investors, and free office space at the ETC in East Baltimore to help entrepreneurs overcome technical issues, navigate changing markets and address financial challenges to boost commercialization of new products and services. The grant supports administrative costs and initial seed funding of $25,000 to each participant, and $100,000 in a follow-on funding award to the team judged to have the greatest potential for growth.
Community Law Center, Inc.
$92,000 / 2018 / Community Development
The Community Law Center (CLC) provides legal services to community and nonprofit organizations throughout Maryland to promote stronger nonprofits and more vibrant neighborhoods. This grant provided support for CLC’s efforts to encourage the Baltimore City Board of Liquor License Commissioners to use its regulatory powers to better address public health issues, particularly violent crime.
Code in the Schools
$40,000 / 2018 / Education
Code in the Schools is a non-profit that increases computer science education opportunities and the links to post-secondary pathways for Baltimore City youth. The Abell Foundation provided funding to Code in the Schools to assist Baltimore City Schools in building out its computer science career pathway program in six City high schools.
Efforts include establishing a technology advisory board, developing curriculum, training teachers and providing a summer boot camp. Enrollment in the pathway has doubled as a result of these efforts. Continuing funding will help establish more work and career-related learning experiences for students.
Civic Works, Inc.
$100,000 / 2018 / Community Development
In operation since 2009, Civic Works’ Real Food Farm is the largest farm in Baltimore City, demonstrating that an organic urban farm can produce tens of tons of food nearly year-round and increase household food security by addressing lack of access to healthy produce through two mobile markets operating in East and West Baltimore. At Real Food Farm and through the Baltimore Orchard Project, Civic Works offers unique training and service learning opportunities for AmeriCorps members, young adults, and Baltimore City schoolchildren in keeping with Civic Works’ mission to provide skills development and community service. This grant supports the salaries of key staff, as well as mobile market expenses.
