BALTIMORE, Md. – July 15, 2021 – Mayor Brandon M. Scott joined Family League of Baltimore (Family League) and the Baltimore Children’s Cabinet today to announce $1 million in grants to 25 community organizations supporting youth in grades Pre-K through 12 and young adults up to age 24. The investment is part of a larger commitment by Family League of more than $2 million to expand community-based enrichment opportunities for youth and comes on the heels of a $1 million investment in Baltimore City Recreation & Parks programming, announced earlier this week.
“As we invest in the promise and future success of our young people, we must not forget the importance of supporting organizations that are on the ground lifting them up,” said Mayor Scott. “I am deeply grateful to the Family League and the Baltimore Children’s Cabinet for making these grants possible and look forward to maximizing the success and impact of its recipients.”
In late April, Family League, in partnership with the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, released the Expanded Youth Programs Request for Application (RFA), initiating a competitive process that solicited more than 60 responses with funding requests totaling more than $5.1 million. The RFA place intentional focus on supporting Baltimore City youth and young adults by requiring proposed programming to address priorities identified by the Baltimore Children’s Cabinet including:
- increasing early childhood development,
- decreasing food insecurity,
- decreasing youth homelessness,
- increasing youth literacy,
- increasing trauma-informed care for youth,
- increasing diversion practices, and
- breaking down historical barriers for African American boys and young men.
A review panel of 28 community members representing more than 20 neighborhoods throughout Baltimore City supported the selection of final recipients. Of those organizations selected:
- 36% are first-time recipients of funding from Family League of Baltimore
- 60% are led by women
- 68% are led by people of color
The full list of grantees includes:
- 10:12 Sports
- Baltimore SquashWise
- Baltimore Urban Debate League
- Beautiful Butterflies, Inc.
- Bridging the Gap, Inc.
- Catherine’s Family and Youth Services, Inc.
- Code in Schools
- Creative Nomads
- Elev8 Baltimore, Inc.
- Excellence & Ambition Inc.
- Harlem Lacrosse – Baltimore
- HeartSmiles
- Holistic Life Foundation, Inc.
- Imagine Me Ministries
- Italian Cultural Center of Maryland
- JOY Baltimore
- MTM Foundation, Inc.
- Muse 360 Incorporated
- Next One Up Foundation, Inc.
- Project I CAN
- RICH
- Soccer Without Borders
- Springboard Community Services
- UMAR Boxing
- We Will All Rise, Inc.
“Aligning resources to dismantle systemic barriers is core to our mission,” added Demaune Millard, Family League’s president and CEO. “We were impressed with each of these awardees and their proven capability to make significant headway in improving outcomes for young people. Each of their strategies will support Baltimore City youth in reaching their full potential.”
