Made in Baltimore, Fiscally Sponsored by Baltimore Development Corporation
Made in Baltimore supports local makers and manufacturers through promotional and marketing events, a local brand-certification program, and business development support. The 12-week Home Run Accelerator program will provide intensive business development, marketing, and peer mentoring support for 15 selected home-based makers in targeted industries. MIB will track the growth/development of participants, including jobs created, revenue growth, and production space occupied will be tracked. This grant provided support for staff and program expenses associated with the Home Run Accelerator program.
Jubilee Baltimore, Inc.
Jubilee Baltimore is partnering with Property Consulting Inc. to renovate the long-vacant Odell’s building located at 21 E. North Avenue to house two nonprofit organizations that serve Baltimore City schoolchildren. Following the Maryland Institute of Art’s development of the Lazarus Center and reinvestment in the Centre Theatre, Motor House and Parkway Theater, the Abell grant toward the redevelopment of the Odell’s building would enable a customized home for the two nonprofits, infusing new life into an historically significant building, bringing additional activitiy onto North Avenue and boosting confidence in investment in the area.
Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc.
Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc. (HNI) is a citywide initiative that promotes investment in “middle Neighborhoods” through resident engagement, a focus on promoting neighborhood assets, and investment in housing stock. HNI serves 46 neighborhoods across the City. This grant provided support for core program activities and expansion to other neighborhoods.
Emerging Technology Centers, Inc.
In 2020, the Emerging Technology Center will competitively select up to five companies to participate in the ninth cohort of Accelerate Baltimore. The 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 $50,000 to each team judged to have the greatest potential for growth.
Civil Justice, Inc.
Civil Justice expands legal services to clients of low and moderate income while promoting a network of solo, small and community-based lawyers who share a common commitment to increasing access to justice. It is a common practice that, after evicting tenants who fall behind on rent, landlords will later sue those same tenants for prospective rent and alleged damages, as well as unlwafully withhold security deposits. These suits result in millions of dollars in judgments against tenants each year in Baltimore City and further destabilize tenant households. With Abell funding, Civil Justice will increase its capacity to address aggressive landlord debt collection suits against tenants, serving 50 households in the first year either through in-house counsel or through their referral network.