When Our Neighbors Do Better, We All Do Better.
2024 Annual Report
Letter from Our President
HyeSook Chung
As Baltimore’s Mayoral Fund, we hold the privilege of bringing together communities and neighborhood leaders to work collaboratively on issues that matter most to Baltimore.
In this critical role, we provide a unique suite of services for the City of Baltimore and its leaders – serving as the financial backbone for innovative programs by offering fiscal sponsorship, grantmaking, and capacity building for our partners. Our continual efforts to be nimble in problem-solving, quick to respond to emergencies and opportunities, and collaborative in bringing together strategic partners to ensure our collective work moves us all closer to a more equitable city where everyone shares in its prosperity and health.
I could not be more excited to be leading the Civic Fund in this period of growth, and I am committed to making Baltimore better by building upon the strength of our communities and neighborhood leaders.
As we reflect on our recent activities, it is clear that the real work is happening at the community level and championed by leaders of mission-driven organizations, often in partnership with City of Baltimore agencies, donors, and the Civic Fund. Each community is so unique, but all have a commitment to improving the lives of our residents.
In this annual report, we are spotlighting a few partners who have ignited positive change in their neighborhoods by collaborating with so many of us. These groups are working to ensure digital literacy for every generation, improve the lives and well-being of Baltimore’s older adults, establish emergency response funding after a region-shifting disaster, and leverage philanthropic partners for an even wider impact. We are honored to play a role in ensuring these leaders have what they need to strengthen their neighborhoods.
Thank you to those who have long supported and partnered with us on our mission to build impactful partnerships and make positive change. Our work continues, and we are glad you have joined us.
This is community. This is the best of who we are. Together, we are charting a new path forward for our collective future. Together, we can make Baltimore a more prosperous place to live.
Sincerely,
HyeSook Chung
President, Baltimore Civic Fund
Note: This annual report spans July 2022 to June 2024.
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The “Why” of What We Do
It’s simple – we are all connected! Baltimoreans can only thrive and be prosperous when every resident and neighborhood has reached their full potential. This is why so many donors, nonprofits, neighborhoods, corporations, and city agencies partner with the Baltimore Civic Fund.
Our Impact
FY22
$27M spent on programs in FY22 (up from $16M in FY21)
$18M revenue raised in FY22
FY23
$18M spent on programs in FY23
$20M revenue raised in FY23
GRANTMAKING HIGHLIGHTS
Digital Equity Fund
Launched in April 2023, the Digital Equity Fund (DEF), in partnership with Baltimore City Information and Technology (BCIT), supports 32 community-based organizations implementing 37 digital inclusion projects in Baltimore. Grantee organizations serve residents who are frequently left behind in the digital economy, including older adults, people with disabilities, new Americans, returning citizens, LGBTQIA+, and youth.
27 grants
awarded by DEF I
10 grants
awarded by DEF II
188 neighborhoods across Baltimore benefited
$2,869,163 awarded
I’ve said from the beginning that closing the digital divide is one of the big civil rights issues of our time, and making sure all Baltimore residents can participate in the digital economy is critically important. With this new investment in computer and internet skills, support for those in creative fields, and job seekers, we take another step toward closing the digital divide and ensuring every Baltimorean is equipped to thrive in this digital age.
Mayor Brandon M. Scott
The Digital Equity Fund is the first of its kind for our office. It was imperative we partner with a philanthropic organization [that] shared our digital equity vision for Baltimore, understood the grantmaking landscape, and had experience partnering with government agencies. The Civic Fund delivered and exceeded our expectations. Access to the funding was just the first step, but creating a shared vetting process focused on community and equity was important for us. The Civic Fund team brought the expertise and resources our grantees needed to maximize their impact in the digital ecosystem.
Kenya N. Asli,
Director of Broadband and Digital Equity, Baltimore City Office of Information & Technology (BCIT)
Future Plans
BCIT is making plans for additional funding streams that would create third- and fourth-round grants for the Digital Equity Fund. Based on the success of rounds one and two, BCIT will evaluate the potential types of digital equity work to be covered in these future rounds. Our partnership demonstrates the clear focus of the current Mayoral administration on the digital needs of city residents and how the City and its partners can further equitable practices in this area.
Featured Grantee
Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center
Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center (ECDC) opened in 2008 in West Baltimore's Sandtown-Winchester Community and grew from short-term childcare services to a comprehensive ECDC offering full-day childcare, before/after school, free summer programs, Saturday tutoring, and transportation. It has remained in the community through protests, policy changes, funding issues, and a pandemic. In addition to quality childcare for children from six weeks to 12 years of age, Little Flowers has an extensive STEAM (science, tech, engineering, arts, math) program that includes computer literacy, resume writing, food distribution, and mental health services.
In 2019, Little Flowers launched DIGICON – its digital program – during their free summer camp and made it available to both students and families. The center received two grants through the Digital Equity Fund – $5,000 for education and outreach to ensure families are aware of the need for digital literacy and the programs Little Flowers offers, and $74,566 for computers and staff to implement the program. But access to computers is just the start. The grant equips students with laptops to create projects, teaching them how to operate various computer programs to ensure they can navigate the more digitized school environments.
Computers and funds for staff (program coordinator, technology teacher, van driver, and YouthWorks participants)
Neighborhoods impacted: Druid Heights, Mondawmin, Penn North, Sandtown-Winchester, and Upton
Access to information digitally is critical for our students. We are using this grant to fill the building with programs truly making a difference in how they learn and interact with the digital world. We see [our] computer lab not only as a resource for the students but the entire neighborhood.
Jasmine Hardy,
Executive Director, Little Flowers ECDC
Featured Grantee
Rebuild Johnston Square
The mission of Rebuild Johnston Square is to create a model community in East Baltimore by using community organizing and listening campaigns to promote cleaning and greening initiatives, recreational programs for children, educational and employment opportunities, narrowing the digital inequity divide, revitalization of the community without displacement, and public safety. A key priority of the Johnston Square Vision Plan is to increase access to digital technology.
In 2024, Rebuild Johnston Square opened a new computer hub with state and federal funds. Yet more financial support was needed to provide auditory and visual assistive technology, scale up programs, and accommodate the needs of older adults to utilize the new lab. In partnership with BCIT, a Digital Equity Fund grant of $75,000 helped Rebuild Johnston Square launch Learning Lab programs with digital skills training opportunities for older adults. This program provides basic skills training to older adults and increases their access to digital devices such as computers and cell phones. Alongside key neighborhood leaders, including developers and church and school administrators, the focus on digital education for older adults is supporting the revitalization and beautification of a neighborhood grappling with generational blight and vacancy.
The Digital Equity grant from BCIT was important – we needed the additional grant to operationalize the program. Without it, we would not have been able to open the Learning Lab….and I see changes in the daily lives of our older adult neighbors like Ms. Patsy and Ms. Fannie, who regularly attend the Learning Lab.
Lillian Trotman,
Digital Equity Team Leader, Rebuild Johnston Square
50+ participants received digital skills training
Neighborhoods impacted: Berea, Greenmount Cemetery, Johnston Square, Oldtown, and Oliver
Laptops, desktops,
monitors/keyboards/mouse,
headsets, printer/scanner, speech-to-text software, standing desks, tables, ergonomic chairs, and funds for trainers
FISCAL SPONSORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
Older Adults and the Division of Aging
The Baltimore City Health Department’s Division of Aging is dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of Baltimore’s older adults. The agency coordinates services for older adults, adults with disabilities, and their families to ensure safety, health, and independence. As the fiscal sponsor for key agency programs such as the Baltimore senior centers and the Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program, the Civic Fund supports the government's human-centered approach to problem-solving focused on being nimble and quick. We recognize delays can impact the quality of care often included in vital decisions for staff working with our older populations. A delay in subsidy payment means an older adult may be without a home or individualized mental health services. Our partners have expressed appreciation for our ability to respond quickly and process payments that prevent disruptions to care.
Senior Centers
Baltimore is home to 13 senior centers, which offer different programs and services for older adults, including fitness and wellness activities, dining services, and lifelong learning classes. The Civic Fund holds membership and donation accounts for five of those centers. Centers access those funds for trips, center repairs, and programming support.
Neighborhoods impacted by senior centers working with the Civic Fund: Canton, Harford Road Corridor, Mid-Town Belvedere, Pimlico, and Sandtown-Winchester
The senior centers play a vital role in the ability of our seniors to access programs. They offer programs that meet the individualized needs of each center with membership dues. And seniors who pay the dues often need to know 100% of their dues are going to their specific programs at their specific senior centers. The fact that the Civic Fund can track the dues received but also track budgets for each senior center was extremely important for us.
Alice Huang,
Acting Assistant Commissioner, Community Services, Division of Aging, Baltimore City Health Department
Senior Assisted Living Group Home Subsidy Program
This community-based, housing subsidy program for medically and financially eligible individuals over the age of 62, helps older adults reside in assisted living facilities that have a contract with the City of Baltimore.
18 assisted living facilities throughout the City
70+ participants enrolled annually
We value having a partner like the Civic Fund because much of what we do impacts the quality of life for older adults and their day-to-day living. We need to be adaptive and quick to respond when emergencies impact their quality of life. This financial work is not just pens and paper – it's people’s health – people's lives. Not everyone understands that.
Keidra Rowe, M.S.,
Senior Director, Office of Client Services, Division of Aging, Baltimore City Health Department
Featured Partner
Garrison Estates Assisted Living
Garrison Estates Assisted Living is part of the Department of Aging’s network of providers. It focuses on building a "family" environment while bridging the gap between independent living and nursing homes. Garrison also provides older adults with day-to-day care to ensure the overall well-being and happiness of its residents.
Providing quality care for older adults can be challenging work. We focus on delivering the best care possible. Since the Dept of Aging’s partnership with the Civic Fund, we engage in much more seamless processes and receive timely payments. Late payments for a small business like us can have huge consequences on the quality of care.
Darren Stanford,
Manager, Garrison Estates Assisted Living
Key Bridge Emergency Response Fund
Shortly after the Key Bridge’s collapse on March 26, 2024, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA) organized the Key Bridge Emergency Response Fund, fiscally sponsored by the Civic Fund. The fund was created to alleviate the financial burden faced by the survivors and victims’ families. It received overwhelming support, with 5,741 donations totaling $1,139,990.20 from a donor collective that exemplified the meaning behind “Baltimore Strong,” as they showed commitment and care for their neighbors during a time of hardship and grief. The funds helped families cover basic needs such as rent, food, utilities, childcare, remittances, and funeral costs.
Our Impact
We provided support to families of six victims and two survivors of the Key Bridge collapse, including burial/repatriation of remains, travel, legal services, housing, childcare, remittances to families abroad, and day-to-day expenses. We expect to cover expenses from April 2024 through December 2025.
Through November 2024:
$1,140,590 raised
5,744 donors
$393,257 distributed
We could not have launched the Key Bridge Emergency Response Fund without the vital partnership of the Baltimore Civic Fund. Our response needed to be swift, and we needed a fiscal sponsor that could act with the same urgency, ensuring that 100% of the proceeds reached the families impacted by the tragedy. The Baltimore Civic Fund has been an unwavering partner, always ready to support us in moments of need, and their commitment during this crisis was no exception.
Catalina Rodriguez Lima,
Director, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA)
Featured Partner
The Baltimore County’s Office of Community Engagement
Housed in the Baltimore County’s Office of Community Engagement, the Chief of Immigrant Affairs serves as a liaison for immigrant communities and a trusted conduit between the County government and new American communities.
When the Key Bridge collapsed, we realized we had to mobilize our efforts quickly to ensure we were well-coordinated. As a newer office, we leaned on MIMA, a more established counterpart in the City [that] had the infrastructure and staff capacity to respond. Together, we focused on what was possible for our new Americans impacted by the tremendous loss. The reach of our work was beyond the city and county boundaries. Our only focus was caring for the families and new Americans directly impacted by the collapse.
Giuliana Valencia-Banks,
Chief of Immigrant Affairs, Office of County Executive John A. Olszewski, Jr.
Featured Partner
The Esperanza Center
The Esperanza Center is a comprehensive resource center whose mission is to welcome new Americans by offering hope, compassionate services, and the power to improve their lives. The dedicated staff and volunteers provide services related to education, health care, immigration legal matters, family reunification, and general community support to thousands of immigrants each year. The Esperanza Center staff partnered with MIMA to facilitate the delicate case management needed to ensure the families directly impacted had the resources to mourn and feel supported.
Without the support from MIMA, we could not provide the families impacted with all of the critical support needed, regardless of their status or funding restrictions. Financial resources cannot take away grief, but they did allow for time for loved ones to mourn and feel a level of support never experienced before.
Mayra Loera,
Program Manager, Client Services/SRS, Esperanza Center | Catholic Charities of Baltimore
PHILANTHROPIC PARTNER HIGHLIGHT
The France-Merrick Foundation
Reflecting the interests of its founders, the France-Merrick Foundation envisions an equitable, vibrant, and sustainable Baltimore community where people and places thrive. During its 60+ years of philanthropy and the continued involvement of succeeding generations, the Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations to enrich the quality of life across Baltimore and beyond through grantmaking and collaborative efforts in six areas: civic and culture, community and economic development, environment, education and health and human services, and historic preservation.
The foundation has supported city agency programs including Baltimore’s Continuum of Care Program – the Journey Home in the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services; the Group Violence Reduction Strategy in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement; and Baltimore’s Covid Response – Health Corp in both the Baltimore City Health Department and the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.
Partnering with an organization like the Civic Fund provides us the ability to focus on meaningful change for residents. Regardless of the political landscape or administrative barriers, the Civic Fund provides the consistency needed to focus on program implementation.
Elizabeth Perriello Rice,
Senior Program Officer
We appreciate the culture of partnership the Civic Fund engages with funders and city agencies. They play this critical role of an intermediary to bring all parties together focused on a shared goal to improve outcomes.... providing a unique perspective on how priorities may align.
Erin S. O’Keefe,
Senior Program Officer
Finances
Statement Of Financial Position
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | $ 6,476,452 | $ 7,462,538 |
| Investments | $ 8,382,712 | $ 7,894,880 |
| Accounts Receivable, net | $ 4,256,360 | $ 3,055,840 |
| Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets | $ 178,512 | $ 29,577 |
| Operating Lease Right-of-Use Asset, net | $ 176,512 | $ ------ |
| Total Assets | $ 19,294,079 | $ 18,442,835 |
| Liabilities | ||
| Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses | $ 1,566,587 | $ 853,801 |
| Deferred Revenue | $ 6,097,105 | $ 3,892,289 |
| Due to City of Baltimore | $ --------- | $ 2,039,058 |
| Operating Lease Liability | $ 179,454 | $ --------- |
| Note Payable | $ 2,428,571 | $ 2,857,143 |
| Total Liabilities | $ 10,271,717 | $ 9,642,291 |
| Net Assets | ||
| Without Donor Restrictions | $ 2,247,783 | $ 2,251,322 |
| With Donor Restrictions | $ 6,774,579 | $ 6,549,222 |
| Total Net Assets | $ 9,022,362 | $ 8,800,544 |
| Total Liabilities And Net Assets | $ 19,294,079 | $ 18,442,835 |
Statement Of Activities
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Revenues, Gains, and Other Support | ||
| Contributions | $ 11,457,449 | $ 11,490,818 |
| Federal Grants | $ 8,272,747 | $ 7,574,537 |
| Net Realized/Unrealized Investment Income | $ 487,832 | ($ 1,104,653) |
| Total Revenue | $ 20,218,028 | $ 17,960,702 |
| Expenses | ||
| Program Services | $ 18,364,873 | $ 26,792,975 |
| Management and General | $ 1,631,337 | $ 1,213,560 |
| Total Expenses | $ 19,996,210 | $ 28,006,535 |
| Change in Net Assets | $ 221,818 | ($ 10,045,833) |
| Net Assets, Beginning Of Year | $ 8,800,544 | $ 18,846,377 |
| Net Assets, End Of Year | $ 9,022,362 | $ 8,800,544 |