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Snapshots Highlight the Impact of Funders
With vision and persistence, a group of leading foundations and corporations founded the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG) in 1983 as a forum for colleagues to address common problems and interests. Twenty-five years later, ABAG is a high-performing organization with over 135 members comprised of foundations and corporations working together to have a greater impact in the region.
Snapshots of Philanthropy offer a glimpse into the many ways funders are making a difference in our community. These snapshots are a series of 25 profiles created to celebrate the work of local grantmakers in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG) and they are representative of the many ways that funders have had an impact in the community the last 25 years.
Blog on philanthropy! We also know that there are many more stories to be told, and invite you to share a story about your charitable giving and its impact on our community. Telling your philanthropic story helps to reinforce the value of philanthropy and the impact of the sector!
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24 in a series of 25
Funders Support Local Arts Community
Looking for something to do by yourself, with your children, or with friends on a Sunday afternoon - or for that matter any day or evening of the week? Interested in plays, films, music, nature, art, history, and museums? Want half price tickets? You can find a great deal of information on art and culture in the broadest sense when you visit www.baltimorefunguide.com an effort of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) which has broad support from the local funding community.
Funders Support Local Arts Community
Looking for something to do by yourself, with your children, or with friends on a Sunday afternoon - or for that matter any day or evening of the week? Interested in plays, films, music, nature, art, history, and museums? Want half price tickets? You can find a great deal of information on art and culture in the broadest sense when you visit www.baltimorefunguide.com an effort of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA) which has broad support from the local funding community.
23 in a series of 25
Funders Support Advocacy for Education
The tenacity of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland in fighting for more equitable funding for Baltimore schools has brought more than $1 billion into the city school system and for at-risk children across Maryland in the last decade, which wouldn’t have been possible without support from the local funding community.
Funders Support Advocacy for Education
The tenacity of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Maryland in fighting for more equitable funding for Baltimore schools has brought more than $1 billion into the city school system and for at-risk children across Maryland in the last decade, which wouldn’t have been possible without support from the local funding community.
22 in a series of 25
Funders Invest in Healthier Hospitals
Ironically, while providing health care and saving lives, hospitals can be major contributors of toxins into the environment, negatively affecting the public health of the communities they serve. Thankfully, dozens of Maryland hospitals and health care facilities are reducing toxins by instituting greener, safer health care practices due to efforts by the local funding community.
Funders Invest in Healthier Hospitals
Ironically, while providing health care and saving lives, hospitals can be major contributors of toxins into the environment, negatively affecting the public health of the communities they serve. Thankfully, dozens of Maryland hospitals and health care facilities are reducing toxins by instituting greener, safer health care practices due to efforts by the local funding community.
21 in a series of 25
Funding Community Invests in Children
What if instead of trying to penalize children and families who are struggling, communities gave them the opportunity to succeed? That's the philosophy behind the Safe and Sound Campaign's Maryland Opportunity Compacts.
Funding Community Invests in Children
What if instead of trying to penalize children and families who are struggling, communities gave them the opportunity to succeed? That's the philosophy behind the Safe and Sound Campaign's Maryland Opportunity Compacts.
20 in a series of 25
Funders Help Reform Eviction Process
In philanthropy, getting a law changed for the better is a "win" with very significant and long-lasting impact. That's what grantmakers helped accomplish by funding the work of the Public Justice Center (PJC) and Citizen's Planning and Housing Association (CPHA) to give tenants proper notice of evictions and prohibit landlords from dumping their belongings in the streets through the Tenant Advocacy Project.
Funders Help Reform Eviction Process
In philanthropy, getting a law changed for the better is a "win" with very significant and long-lasting impact. That's what grantmakers helped accomplish by funding the work of the Public Justice Center (PJC) and Citizen's Planning and Housing Association (CPHA) to give tenants proper notice of evictions and prohibit landlords from dumping their belongings in the streets through the Tenant Advocacy Project.
19 in a series of 25
Funders Invest Together in Columbia
Forty years ago when visionary urban planner, real estate developer and philanthropist James W. Rouse built the planned community of Columbia, he intentionally set out to create a small-town atmosphere through the development of ten self-contained villages around which day-to-day life would revolve. Decades later, Rouse's vision of community spirit has clearly taken hold. Several years ago, community leaders sprung into action when they learned that the state might declare the Oakland Mills Village Center in Columbia a "hot spot" due to a surge in crime.
Funders Invest Together in Columbia
Forty years ago when visionary urban planner, real estate developer and philanthropist James W. Rouse built the planned community of Columbia, he intentionally set out to create a small-town atmosphere through the development of ten self-contained villages around which day-to-day life would revolve. Decades later, Rouse's vision of community spirit has clearly taken hold. Several years ago, community leaders sprung into action when they learned that the state might declare the Oakland Mills Village Center in Columbia a "hot spot" due to a surge in crime.
18 in a series of 25
Funders Support Instant Human Services Help via 2-1-1
Each day thousands of Marylanders search for information about health and human services. From food and shelter to medical care, protection from domestic violence and disaster relief, the list is endless. Thanks to a diverse and committed group of funders, getting help is as easy as dialing 2-1-1.
Funders Support Instant Human Services Help via 2-1-1
Each day thousands of Marylanders search for information about health and human services. From food and shelter to medical care, protection from domestic violence and disaster relief, the list is endless. Thanks to a diverse and committed group of funders, getting help is as easy as dialing 2-1-1.
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Funders Collaborate to Invest in Neighborhoods
In the mid-1990s, a group of Baltimore-area grantmakers, concerned that a growing number of city neighborhoods were showing signs of decline, joined forces to create a special funding pool. Their goal was to attract new funding partners and strengthen local community development organizations so they could better serve Baltimore's neighborhoods. Housed at the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, the Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative (BNC) pools funding from banks, foundations and local businesses.
Funders Collaborate to Invest in Neighborhoods
In the mid-1990s, a group of Baltimore-area grantmakers, concerned that a growing number of city neighborhoods were showing signs of decline, joined forces to create a special funding pool. Their goal was to attract new funding partners and strengthen local community development organizations so they could better serve Baltimore's neighborhoods. Housed at the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, the Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative (BNC) pools funding from banks, foundations and local businesses.
16 in a series of 25
Fellowship Helps Social Pioneers Serve the Community
A philanthropist's dream is the gift that keeps on giving, and that's just what the Baltimore Community Fellowship program does. Besides helping social pioneers to finance their dream programs, the fellowship creates the opportunity for these efforts to take hold and improve the lives of community members.
Fellowship Helps Social Pioneers Serve the Community
A philanthropist's dream is the gift that keeps on giving, and that's just what the Baltimore Community Fellowship program does. Besides helping social pioneers to finance their dream programs, the fellowship creates the opportunity for these efforts to take hold and improve the lives of community members.
15 in a series of 25
Funders Support Critical Home Delivery Efforts
People with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses often suffer from a combination of poor appetite and physical weakness that keeps them from making nutritious meals for themselves. Especially for low-income victims of disease and those lacking support, this creates a vicious cycle that worsens their condition. Thanks to the support of many local funders, a program called Moveable Feast is breaking that cycle by delivering meals and groceries to hundreds of homes in Baltimore City and in 13 Maryland counties.
Funders Support Critical Home Delivery Efforts
People with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging illnesses often suffer from a combination of poor appetite and physical weakness that keeps them from making nutritious meals for themselves. Especially for low-income victims of disease and those lacking support, this creates a vicious cycle that worsens their condition. Thanks to the support of many local funders, a program called Moveable Feast is breaking that cycle by delivering meals and groceries to hundreds of homes in Baltimore City and in 13 Maryland counties.
14 in a series of 25
Funders Teach the ABC's of Money
Teaching young people the basics of finance can have a huge payoff later in life. That's the philosophy behind Operation HOPE, a nonprofit founded by John Bryant Hope to provide tools for economic independence to America's urban poor. Operation HOPE supports several efforts to teach finance to students, such as Banking on Our Future, an innovative program supported by several local funders.
Funders Teach the ABC's of Money
Teaching young people the basics of finance can have a huge payoff later in life. That's the philosophy behind Operation HOPE, a nonprofit founded by John Bryant Hope to provide tools for economic independence to America's urban poor. Operation HOPE supports several efforts to teach finance to students, such as Banking on Our Future, an innovative program supported by several local funders.
13 in a series of 25
Funders Help Healthy Neighborhoods Thrive
Back in 2000, visionary local funders recognized that many strong Baltimore neighborhoods were losing ground because home ownership was down, property values weren't increasing, and houses in need of repair weren't being fixed. Because these weren't the worst-off neighborhoods, they were being ignored by traditional public sector programs. These funders created Healthy Neighborhoods, an initiative with a mission to help strong but undervalued neighborhoods improve properties, attract homeownership, forge strong bonds between neighbors, and successfully market their communities.
Funders Help Healthy Neighborhoods Thrive
Back in 2000, visionary local funders recognized that many strong Baltimore neighborhoods were losing ground because home ownership was down, property values weren't increasing, and houses in need of repair weren't being fixed. Because these weren't the worst-off neighborhoods, they were being ignored by traditional public sector programs. These funders created Healthy Neighborhoods, an initiative with a mission to help strong but undervalued neighborhoods improve properties, attract homeownership, forge strong bonds between neighbors, and successfully market their communities.
12 in a series of 25
Funders Help Boys & Girls Clubs Flourish
Kenyatta Rowel is uniquely qualified for his job as teen services director at the Boys & Girls Club at Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park in Annapolis, the newest of five Clubs that are part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BGCAA). The sparkling 26,000 square foot facility, which opened in 2007, was made possible through the collaboration of a dedicated group of funders.
Funders Help Boys & Girls Clubs Flourish
Kenyatta Rowel is uniquely qualified for his job as teen services director at the Boys & Girls Club at Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park in Annapolis, the newest of five Clubs that are part of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County (BGCAA). The sparkling 26,000 square foot facility, which opened in 2007, was made possible through the collaboration of a dedicated group of funders.
11 in a series of 25
Funders Partner to Provide Critical Recovery Supports
Imagine a place where recovering substance-abusers can go late at night or on weekends to attend a 12-step meeting, receive holistic treatments such as acupuncture, or to find a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. Multiply that times three, and you have Threshold to Recovery, a network of three community centers - Dee's Place, Recovery in Community, and Penn North - that help Baltimore City residents with current or past drug addiction stay on a healthy path to recovery.
Funders Partner to Provide Critical Recovery Supports
Imagine a place where recovering substance-abusers can go late at night or on weekends to attend a 12-step meeting, receive holistic treatments such as acupuncture, or to find a sympathetic shoulder to lean on. Multiply that times three, and you have Threshold to Recovery, a network of three community centers - Dee's Place, Recovery in Community, and Penn North - that help Baltimore City residents with current or past drug addiction stay on a healthy path to recovery.
10 in a series of 25
Funders Fight for People With Disabilities
Last year, the Baltimore Sun ran an editorial urging the state to provide "multi-systemic therapy" - an intensive, relatively short-term set of home-based counseling services and family and school interventions that help keep young people with mental health issues from entering or returning to the juvenile system. Where did the Sun draw its inspiration? From a report published by the Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC) supported by local funders.
Funders Fight for People With Disabilities
Last year, the Baltimore Sun ran an editorial urging the state to provide "multi-systemic therapy" - an intensive, relatively short-term set of home-based counseling services and family and school interventions that help keep young people with mental health issues from entering or returning to the juvenile system. Where did the Sun draw its inspiration? From a report published by the Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC) supported by local funders.
9 in a series of 25
Funders' Efforts Improve Life for Seniors
For the elderly, living alone can be isolating and dangerous. But thanks to local funders, hundreds of Baltimore area elderly residents are getting free and low cost transportation, health education and screening, social services, and social, cultural, and recreational activities in the comfort of their own homes and neighborhoods. The program, Senior Friendly Neighborhoods, serves some 900 seniors per month, many of whom are low-income.
Funders' Efforts Improve Life for Seniors
For the elderly, living alone can be isolating and dangerous. But thanks to local funders, hundreds of Baltimore area elderly residents are getting free and low cost transportation, health education and screening, social services, and social, cultural, and recreational activities in the comfort of their own homes and neighborhoods. The program, Senior Friendly Neighborhoods, serves some 900 seniors per month, many of whom are low-income.
8 in a series of 25
Leveraging Philanthropic Investment to Expand Services
Foundations and corporations have a long history of supporting institutions that fill a critical need in our communities. One such group is the Family Tree, a statewide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse, which has received support from many funders.
Leveraging Philanthropic Investment to Expand Services
Foundations and corporations have a long history of supporting institutions that fill a critical need in our communities. One such group is the Family Tree, a statewide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse, which has received support from many funders.
7 in a series of 25
Community Leaders Help Students Head for College
In 1988, a group of leaders in Baltimore City had a startling realization about why more local students weren't going to college: the schools were so focused on the kids getting into trouble that no one was paying attention to the "good kids" who were doing well, but lacked the resources and support to pursue a college education. The business community and other funders pitched in to create the infrastructure needed, and today the CollegeBound Foundation serves more than 15,000 students attending 20 high schools in Baltimore City.
Community Leaders Help Students Head for College
In 1988, a group of leaders in Baltimore City had a startling realization about why more local students weren't going to college: the schools were so focused on the kids getting into trouble that no one was paying attention to the "good kids" who were doing well, but lacked the resources and support to pursue a college education. The business community and other funders pitched in to create the infrastructure needed, and today the CollegeBound Foundation serves more than 15,000 students attending 20 high schools in Baltimore City.
6 in a series of 25
Funders Partner to Improve the Chesapeake Bay
A network of funders across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC is helping to ensure the best possible water quality for the area's scenic Chesapeake Bay. Known as the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network (CBFN), this group engages about 30 different foundations and provides opportunities for grantmakers to network and exchange information about protecting and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
Funders Partner to Improve the Chesapeake Bay
A network of funders across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC is helping to ensure the best possible water quality for the area's scenic Chesapeake Bay. Known as the Chesapeake Bay Funders Network (CBFN), this group engages about 30 different foundations and provides opportunities for grantmakers to network and exchange information about protecting and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
5 in a series of 25
Visionary Public-Private Partnership Funds Art School
Founded in 1979, the Baltimore School for the Arts was the product of an unusual public-private partnership from the very start, with its charter approved by the Baltimore City School Board and a separate foundation launched to raise funds to supplement an annual school system budget. Its founders envisioned a school that would differ from other Baltimore high schools by training students with potential for careers in the performing and visual arts.
Visionary Public-Private Partnership Funds Art School
Founded in 1979, the Baltimore School for the Arts was the product of an unusual public-private partnership from the very start, with its charter approved by the Baltimore City School Board and a separate foundation launched to raise funds to supplement an annual school system budget. Its founders envisioned a school that would differ from other Baltimore high schools by training students with potential for careers in the performing and visual arts.
4 in a series of 25
Funders Help Combat Domestic Violence
Thirty years ago, the House Of Ruth Maryland started as a small, grassroots shelter providing safety for battered women. As a society, we still were in denial about the pervasiveness and destructiveness of this crime, notes Executive Director Carole Alexander. But over the years the funding community, including the France-Merrick Foundation, Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation, Hoffberger Foundation, Linehan Family Foundation, Wright Family Foundation, Charles Crane Family Foundation, Zanvyl & Isabelle Krieger Fund, United Way of Central Maryland, and Verizon Maryland joined with the House Of Ruth to cast a bright light on this shameful and secret behavior.
Funders Help Combat Domestic Violence
Thirty years ago, the House Of Ruth Maryland started as a small, grassroots shelter providing safety for battered women. As a society, we still were in denial about the pervasiveness and destructiveness of this crime, notes Executive Director Carole Alexander. But over the years the funding community, including the France-Merrick Foundation, Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation, Hoffberger Foundation, Linehan Family Foundation, Wright Family Foundation, Charles Crane Family Foundation, Zanvyl & Isabelle Krieger Fund, United Way of Central Maryland, and Verizon Maryland joined with the House Of Ruth to cast a bright light on this shameful and secret behavior.
3 in a series of 25
Funders, Hospitals Craft Workforce Solution
Baltimore area hospitals were facing critical staffing shortages in certain high-skill jobs, while many low-income workers were struggling to get by in dead-end jobs with no benefits or hope of advancement. In 2003, an informal network of funders supporting different approaches to workforce development got together and collectively said: "What's wrong with this picture?"
Funders, Hospitals Craft Workforce Solution
Baltimore area hospitals were facing critical staffing shortages in certain high-skill jobs, while many low-income workers were struggling to get by in dead-end jobs with no benefits or hope of advancement. In 2003, an informal network of funders supporting different approaches to workforce development got together and collectively said: "What's wrong with this picture?"
2 in a series of 25
Foundations Draw Federal Funding for Literacy Project
Helping young children from economically disadvantaged homes "catch up" with their peers in language and vocabulary development is very difficult, but critical in heading off first grade failure and promoting long-term success. When two local family foundations learned in 2000 that researchers at Johns Hopkins University had developed teacher training strategies that were helping to bridge this gap, they quickly and generously lent their support.
Foundations Draw Federal Funding for Literacy Project
Helping young children from economically disadvantaged homes "catch up" with their peers in language and vocabulary development is very difficult, but critical in heading off first grade failure and promoting long-term success. When two local family foundations learned in 2000 that researchers at Johns Hopkins University had developed teacher training strategies that were helping to bridge this gap, they quickly and generously lent their support.
1 in a series of 25
Coalition Mobilizes to Boost Incomes and Build Hope
When funders and community groups put their expertise and resources together to support a common cause, the results can be phenomenal. That's what happened in 2001 when a group of foundations joined together with community-based organizations, government agencies, employers, workforce development agencies, and volunteers to jumpstart the Baltimore CASH Campaign.
Coalition Mobilizes to Boost Incomes and Build Hope
When funders and community groups put their expertise and resources together to support a common cause, the results can be phenomenal. That's what happened in 2001 when a group of foundations joined together with community-based organizations, government agencies, employers, workforce development agencies, and volunteers to jumpstart the Baltimore CASH Campaign.
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