American Farmland Trust
$65,000 / 2011 / Environment
For the third and final year of the pilot project, Clean Water for the Chesapeake Bay – Mobilizing Farmers to Improve Water Quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Designed as a risk-management tool, the Best Management Practices Challenge for Planned Nitrogen Reduction benefits the 29 regional farmers who, committed to reducing their fertilizer use, were guaranteed reimbursements if yields were lower. A certified nutrient management specialist was hired and more precise computerized systems with infrared sensors were employed to determine the amount of nitrogen already in the ground. As part of the “best practices,” these findings may be useful in scaling up environmentally sound practices, thus reducing nutrient runoff into the Bay.
1000 Friends of Maryland
$30,000 / 2011 / Environment
Two-year funding for continued support of staffing and expenses in support of the Partners for Open Space campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to ensure that full funding of the dedicated one-half of 1 percent of Maryland’s transfer real estate tax remains earmarked for planning, acquisition, and development of recreation land or open space areas as part of Program Open Space, serving as a national model of a successful conservation strategy.
Year Up Washington, Inc.
$200,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
Toward continued support and expansion of the Year Up Baltimore program, a workforce development initiative for up to 64 at-risk young adults ages 18 to 24 in Baltimore City. Year Up provides one year of information technology training. During the first six months of the program, participants are paid weekly stipends and attend classes. For the next six months, students are placed in paid internships and are then assisted in finding professional level jobs.
The Work First Foundation
$400,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
For continued support of the Baltimore Ex Offender Re-entry Employment Program for America Works of Maryland participants. The program aims to place 400 ex-offenders into jobs paying an average of $8.50 an hour. The program will help those placed into jobs retain employment for up to 180 days.
The Urban Alliance Foundation, Inc.
$25,000 / 2011 / Workforce Development
Toward support of a workforce development initiative to serve low-income youth in Baltimore City. In partnership with the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, Urban Alliance serves 15 youth, ages 18 to 21, who are aging out of foster care, and provides paid internship opportunities to help increase the youths’ work skills. At least nine youth will be placed into unsubsidized employment, or enrolled into postﾭsecondary education or training programs.
