Focus on Education

Baltimore’s economic vitality depends upon successful schools and successful students. For our young people, education is the key to future employment and participation in the region’s economy. Great schools are a crucial ingredient of strong neighborhoods—and thus directly connected to the economy of today. 
 
Find out about grants available for education.

Click here for a complete list of education grants made in 2012.  

Read about our education advocacy.

BCF’s work to foster successful schools and successful students is framed by three objectives.

1.  Every child, regardless of race, ethnicity or class, enters school ready to learn. We will:
  • Advocate for increased funding for early childhood centers, and advocate for full funding of pre-K in all Title I schools including charter schools.
  • Provide direct support for early childhood programs.
  • Support and advocate for high quality professional development for teachers of young children.
2. Every student graduates high school and is well prepared for success in college or a career. We will:
  • Start by researching which schools show the greatest success and what the key ingredients to success are.
  • Our research will include an investigation of the role of parent and community engagement in school success.
  • Use our research findings to inform future grants and advocacy. 
3. Every City school is led by a great principal, and there is a pipeline of teacher-leaders for our public schools. We will:
 
  • Support professional development for principals and teachers.
  • Support development of the leadership pipeline for public schools.
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.

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