Past Grants

Seedco (Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation)

For continued support of EarnBenefits Baltimore, a Web-based tool that helps individuals and families apply for 26 different federal, state, and city benefits, including Maryland Earned Income Tax Credit, the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, and the federal Food Stamp Program. The program is designed to streamline eligibility screening application submission, and tracking of submitted applications. Seedco will work with five community-based partners to assist 1,540 individuals in receiving at least one benefit and 385 individuals in receiving multiple benefits.

Center for Urban Families

Ninth-year support of STRIVE Baltimore, a job training and placement service for unemployed and underemployed men and women. STRIVE prepares participants for the workforce thorough a three-week intensive workshop focusing on job readiness. The STRIVE model emphasizes attitudinal training, job placement, one-on-one and group counseling, parenting skills, and case management.

Suited to Succeed

Toward operating costs of a program providing professional clothing to women in transition from unemployment or welfare-to-work. The program provides appropriate interview and workplace attire to 1,400 unemployed women seeking work. In exchange for selecting two outfits, the women are asked to donate one hour of time to help sort clothing. After their first interview, they may return to select two more professional outfits in exchange for a second donated hour. Once they obtain a job, they may return to select a fifth outfit in exchange for a third hour of volunteer time.

Center for Urban Families

Three-year capital funding for construction of a new headquarters and workforce development center in the Mondawmin neighborhood. The new headquarters will house STRIVE Baltimore, the Baltimore Responsible Fatherhood Project, and the Baltimore Building Strong Families Program. All three programs target families and individuals with histories of substance abuse, ex-offenders, and people who lack access to social support systems.

Vehicles for Change, Inc.

Ninth-year funding for the continuation of an initiative to provide 48 donated reconditioned and Maryland-inspected cars to low-income persons in Baltimore City. Partnering with community-based organizations, Vehicles for Change enables individuals to drive to work and transport their families to essential destinations.