Past Grants

Fund for Educational Excellence

For expansion of the Math Works initiative, a professional training program for second-grade through seventh-grade teachers in Baltimore City public schools to help close the achievement gap. By using electronic textbooks and hosting best practices forums, teacher discussion and workshop, the program aspires to have 90 percent of Math Works schools achieve math scores at proficiency levels as determined by the State of Maryland.

Sylvan Beach Foundation, Inc.

For a feasibility study of an initiative designed to create a central kitchen to prepare and serve nutritional breakfast and lunch to students at the ten charter schools in Baltimore City.

Baltimore Kids Chess League, Inc.

For expansion of the 2006-2007 Chess Education Project, an after-school program for elementary school students in 50 Baltimore City public schools. The long-term strategy is to increase the number of after-school chess clubs, provide chess instruction to teachers and coaches, sponsor chess activities in the community, and place Baltimore City students at competitive regional and national tournaments.

Maryland Public Policy Institute, Inc.

For a study on Maryland’s teacher pension program. The study will examine the current pension plan and the effectiveness of similar policies in other states, quantify the extent of the financial liability of the defined benefit pension, and recommend alternatives.

Baltimore Urban Debate League

For the development and implementation of a full-scale in-house monitoring and evaluation system to track the league’s ability to influence student outcomes. The study will document student achievement in debate, GPAs, attendance, interest in academic pursuits, incidence of negative behaviors, number of college applications and admissions, literacy, and critical thinking skills during the 2006-2007 school year. Results will be published in summer 2007.