Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore, Inc.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore (NHS) serves 800 households annually through its homeownership counseling and financial coaching programs. NHS deploys down payment assistance awards, raises additional capital toward an ongoing revolving DPA fund, increases access to affordable homeownership for borrowers that face challenges accessing traditional affordable mortgage products, and attracts new home buyers to Baltimore City. This grant provides support for staff positions associated with deployment of those funds, housing counseling, and financial coaching, and targeted community outreach.
Maryland Farmers Market Association
The Maryland Farmers Market Association’s Maryland Market Money Program was launched in 2013 in response to interest from Maryland Farmers who were interested in serving as sites for healthy food access but found it difficult to independently access federal nutrition benefits incentive programs via SNAP/EBT system. This grant supports related staff costs and outreach expenses targeted at 10 Baltimore City farmers markets.
Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, Inc.
Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition provides research on economic rights and consumer protection issues; educates policymakers and the public about economic rights issues, and provides consumer awareness and education campaigns to individuals and organizations. MCRC serves low-income homeowners and renters through the Low Income Forgotten Tax (LIFT) program that helps them access the Homeowners and Renters Tax Credit programs and public benefits. This grant provides support for staff and outreach expenses for the LIFT program.
Johns Hopkins University
The Social Innovation lab incubates mission-driven companies and nonprofits to maximize their potential to become thriving sustainable ventures that contribute to increased opportunity in Baltimore. Through a six-month social venture accelerator program, the competitively selected cohort of up to ten entrepreneurs is provided programming sessions, access to an extensive network of advisors, one-on-one coaching, co-working space, and $1,000 in unrestricted funding.
Jews United for Justice
Jews United For Justice (JUFJ) educates and mobilizes its network of over 2,200 members in the Baltimore area to participate in advocacy campaigns on a variety of social justice issues. Building on work JUFJ has done over the past two years to advocate for renters’ rights in Baltimore, this grant will support JUFJ to work with other coalitions and organizations, including the Public Justice Center, the Right to Housing Alliance, and Baltimore Renters United, to advocate for strengthening legal protections for renters in Baltimore City.