March 29, 2010
Neighborhood Fund announces 2010 grants to local nonprofits
Seventeen local nonprofit organizations have received financial support from the Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund in the form of 2010 grants totaling almost $170,000. More than 60 organizations applied in December for funding, with requests totaling more than $1.1 million for projects that address the needs of communities around Johns Hopkins campuses in the areas of public safety, health, employment, education and community revitalization.
The Neighborhood Fund was created to support nonprofit organizations that serve communities in close proximity to Johns Hopkins campuses and that are associated with Hopkins through institutional involvement or affiliation with faculty, staff, retirees or students. Donations to the fund are accepted through the annual Johns Hopkins United Way campaign.
“The fact that 64 organizations submitted applications during the last allocation cycle is a testament to the needs of the community,” said Mark Furst, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland. “The Neighborhood Fund is making a difference in and around Johns Hopkins’ facilities.”
Grant applications were reviewed by the fund’s Allocation Committee, which comprises a cross section of Johns Hopkins employees and is chaired by Frank Bossle, executive director of JHI Internal Audits.
“It is inspiring to see the generosity of Hopkins faculty, staff and retirees who not only contribute to the Neighborhood Fund but also volunteer their time and talent with local nonprofit organizations,” Bossle said. “Each grant application is signed by a Hopkins affiliate to show their commitment and involvement to the betterment of our communities.”
Since its inception in 2007, the Neighborhood Fund has awarded 40 grants totaling more than $330,000 to support a variety of efforts. The recipients and their funded programs for 2010 are as follows:
• Baltimore Fitness Academy: bMOREfit Childhood Obesity Project, to introduce urban youth to fitness, health choices and sustainable careers in the wellness industry.
• Baltimore Reads: Neighborhood-Based Portable Classroom Program, to offer adult literacy classes.
• Catholic Charities: My Sister’s Place Women’s Center, to purchase a professional stove and support a cook for the shelter.
• Episcopal Community Services of Maryland: The Club at Collington Square, an after-school and summer camp program for youth, to develop citizenship, leadership and opportunities.
• Govans Ecumenical Development Corp. (GEDCO): Neighbor Helping Neighbor Program, a time-bank model of service exchange for seniors at Stadium Place, to provide services for other community members.
• Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake: New construction and renovation of homes in East Baltimore.
• Health Care for the Homeless: Addiction treatment for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• Humanim: Occupational training to equip low-income adults with skills to obtain employment in the health care industry.
• Jubilee Baltimore: Revitalization of Greenmount West area to provide a strong and diverse housing market.
• Julie Community Center: Youth Program, to provide an entrepreneurial experience in business and marketing as well as a mural art project at a local school.
• Learning Is For Tomorrow (LIFT): Construction expenses to allow adult literacy school to move into a permanent space.
• Living Classrooms Foundation: Safe Streets, public health campaign to reduce shootings and homicides in several East Baltimore communities.
• Marian House: Educational Advancement and Employment Assistance Project, to help Marian House residents qualify for and secure quality jobs.
• Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland: Purchase of thermal bags, to ensure that nutritious meals delivered to homebound individuals are kept at safe temperatures.
• Operation P.U.L.S.E. (People United to Live in a Safe Environment): Going Back on the Right Track, safe-school initiative to teach school-aged children about safety, gang prevention and health.
• Tommy Polley Foundation: Television Production/Broadcast Journalism Program, to offer college and career preparatory classes for credit in collaboration with Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.
• Village Learning Place: Books2Go program, which provides early literacy exposure to more than 800 Baltimore City public school children.
For more information about the Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund, go to http://web.jhu
.edu/uw/NeighborhoodFund.html or contact the Office of Work, Life and Engagement at 443-997-6060.