Baltimore Civic Fund
Disparities in digital access limit opportunities for Baltimore individuals and families who are not engaged in the digital economy. Without access to reliable affordable internet service, their ability to access education, unemployment benefits, apply for job opportunities, or health care services is diminished. City’s Director of Broadband and Digital Equity will serve as mayor’s primary representative for coordination with internal and external stakeholders focused on these issues while ensuring approaches expand public access. This grant will support expenses associated with this newly created staff position.
Adopt A Block, Inc.
The Adopt A Block Compassion Commission program teaches 300 young people ages 11 to 25 to look beyond their lives and be a positive influence to low-income inner-city children and adults. This is achieved through a weeklong series of activities focused in East Baltimore that provide an experience that fosters leadership, promotes volunteerism, and develops an interest in the welfare of others. Adopt A Block will acquire, renovate, and donate a formerly vacant Baltimore City home to a family led by a resident leader in the community in East Baltimore. This grant will support expenses associated with the renovation of the property.
New Life Food Pantry, Inc.
For the past 25 years, New Life Food Pantry has been offering food and meals at no cost to community members in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic community food insecurity, particularly among the population served by Turning Point, the adjacent substance abuse treatment center, has grown exponentially. The Abell grant will help New Life purchase a commercial-size refrigeration unit to enable them to accept a larger volume of perishable food donations and provide more food to community members.
ReBUILD Metro
For over a decade, ReBUILD Metro (formerly TRF Development Partners) has been building market stabilizing affordable housing in East Baltimore to create opportunity and wealth for low-income residents. The organization renovates vacant houses and builds new product for rent and for sale through their partnership with BUILD and local churches, sustaining both local construction jobs and small contractor businesses. Abell grant funding will be used to complement city and private funds toward implementation of the Vision Plan for Johnston Square.
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland, Inc.
Pro Bono Resource Center provides legal assistance, recourse information and education to Baltimore City homeowners at risk of foreclosure to delinquent real property taxes or water bills. The Tax Sale Prevention Project includes training and engaging volunteer attorneys and housing counselors to assist Baltimore residents at risk of tax sale; citywide tax sale prevention clinics; presentations at community educational events; promotion of the TaxSaleHelpBaltimore.com online tool and targeted outreach via postcard. This grant will support staff and project expenses associated with the Tax Sale Prevention Project.