Human Services

The economic recession has turned a spotlight on the human services sector and has reaffirmed our confidence in the vision of Invest in Baltimore, a vision which combines economic development and poverty reduction. Our human services funding is informed by a broad definition of basic human needs which extends from shelter and health to legal and financial services that help people build lives with dignity
and hope.

We support both those who provide services directly to people in need and those who are working to make services better and more accessible for all. That’s why we have funded free dental care for homeless adults and young children, as well as advocates working for a more inclusive health care system across our state. We have supported free tax preparation services in low income neighborhoods, as well as legislation curbing predatory practices. The results are seen not just in the number of people served, but in more fair and more efficient systems for delivering services.

We are proud to be coordinating the Baltimore Community Experience Partnership, which promotes volunteerism among older residents of predominantly low-income African American neighborhoods. Keeping older adults safe, active and engaged is good for the participants and for their communities. Baltimore’s project, one of more than 30 funded by Atlantic Philanthropies nationwide, has been highlighted as a model for other cities.

Download the 2009 Human Services Path Report
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Invest in Human Services right now. Make a donation.

BCFs Human Services Path focuses grants on:

Aging with a special emphasis on helping seniors remain in their homes and actively engaged in their communities;
Health including advocacy for better access to quality health care as well as maternal, infant and child health, mental health and treatment of chronic diseases;
Child welfare focusing not only on preventing childhood abuse and neglect, but also on promoting healthy family life and ensuring child safety and well-being;
Maryland Opportunity Compact for Public Safety a specific initiative that aims to increase drug treatment and reduce off ender recidivism, while at the same time lowering costs to Maryland taxpayers;
Family economic success including a variety of related efforts to prevent and alleviate homelessness, help people find, keep, and advance in jobs, ensure access to public benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, and teach working families about saving, managing, and growing their wealth beyond earned income.

BCF invites all who share our vision for this region to join us and Invest in Baltimore. We believe that no one path leads to our common goal, but that by investing strategically in many paths we can create a Baltimore with a growing economy in which all have the opportunity to thrive. BCFs grantmaking is built around these nine paths, one of which is Human Services.

Support the Human Services Path

Invest in Baltimore right now by making a donation.

Path Reports

Download the full report for any of the nine paths of Invest in Baltimore.

Apply for Funding

Find out how to apply for a grant from an Invest in Baltimore path.

Recent Grants

See which organizations have been supported by recent path grants.

Donate Time to Human Services

Volunteer Central offers opportunities in the human services sector that provide basic needs, such as food and shelter.

GIVE SMARTER

Download ABAG's Guide for Funding Basic Human Needs in a Challenging Economy