Students in class. 

BCF continues its strong, long-term commitment to public education, using all the tools available: grantmaking, initiatives and advocacy.

Encouraging signs of rising student achievement continue across our city. Dr. Alonso’s “transformation schools” – where BCF has made significant investments – are posting high attendance rates and are proving a popular choice, with applications far outnumbering available placements.

See Our Recent Grants Our flagship education initiative, the Middle Grades Partnership, has demonstrated exciting results in its first three years: Bucking a local and national trend of sinking test scores during the middle-school years, MGP students’ reading scores rose significantly between seventh and eighth grade. As many as 65% of MGP ninth graders qualify for the city’s entrance-criteria high schools, compared with fewer than 12% of students citywide.

Advocacy efforts in 2009 focused on maintaining fair state funding for Baltimore City Schools. The 2010 legislative session brought a fresh budget battle and new challenges around education reforms that would strengthen charter schools and position our state for a successful bid for federal Race to the Top education funds.

BCF’s scholarship program is strong and growing; in 2009 we provided $81,500 in scholarship support to 55 students, and celebrated our scholars and scholarship donors at an event hosted by the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.

We are grateful to the many Education Path donors who are helping to increase the number of well-prepared students and residents entering college, the workforce, and the community.

Please note: We are refining our priorities for strategic grantmaking. During this transition, we will not be accepting proposals for grants from the paths of Invest in Baltimore. Other grant programs remain open to proposals at this time. Find out more.

Youngsters in Patterson Park get a workout in the neighborhood’s youth soccer league.
One Step Up scholars Sherrone Ricks and Jeane’ Baker celebrate with donors Jonnie-Kay McLean and Norman Morrison.
A Baltimore City student soaks up the sun at North Bay Adventure Camp.
Enjoying the lake at Druid Hill Park. Photo by Middleton Evans.
Dreams do come true: Our Playground at Stadium Place, rebuilt by determined volunteers and generous donors after the original was destroyed by arson. The work was supported by a fund at BCF. 

BCF’s efforts through the Diversity Path will work to rebuild Baltimore’s black middle class.

Baltimore’s vibrant arts and cultural scene boasts innovative projects like the Contemporary Museum’s Mobtown Modern Music Series, which combines classical instruments, jarring visual components and DJ-style electronics into informal performances of works by modern composers. Photo by Robert McIver Photography.
Cyclists atop Federal Hill take in views of the city skyline and bustling Inner Harbor. Photo by Middleton Evans.
Collecting butterflies in the field for a nature study.
In the spring of 2009, an army of dedicated volunteers worked to rebuild Our Playground at Stadium Place, which had been destroyed by arson in September 2008. Photo by Kristine Buls.
Enjoying one of the simple pleasures of summer at a neighborhood camp.
BCF’s Human Services Path emphasizes health, aging, and family economic security.
Neighbors team up to beautify and reclaim a vacant lot.
Most Middle Grades Partnership scholars qualify for the city’s competitive high schools.
Rapid and reliable public transportation for our region is a central goal of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, a fund of BCF. Photo by P.A. Greene.
Children beat the heat in the waters of the Walter Sondheim Fountain at the Inner Harbor. Contributions to construct the memorial were collected through a special project fund at BCF. Photo by Will Kirk, courtesy of Homewood Photography.
Students at Great Kids Farm learn about local food production, from “seed to fork.”
Baltimore’s successful One Plus One recycling program has engaged residents in making the city cleaner and greener.
Baltimore City students and farm manager Greg Strella (far right) with the summer harvest at Great Kids Farm.
Students at Baltimore’s Friendship Academy of Engineering and Technology, one of many public charter schools helping to transform public education in our city. Photo by Stephen Jones, courtesy of Baltimore City Public Schools.
BCF’s Promoting Baltimore Path works to ensure that Baltimore continues to retain and attract citizens and businesses.
Experience-Corps Baltimore places older adult volunteers in struggling city elementary schools to serve as classroom aides, mentors, and tutors. Photograph by Michael Ciesielski, courtesy of Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Inc.

High school debaters prep for a tournament

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