afp crowdsourcing non-profit overviews

2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308

Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: B’More Clubhouse Organization Website URL: www.bmoreclubhouse.org Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/BMore-Clubhouse/135906186512035?fref=ts Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/bmoreclubhouse Other Social Media URLs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqs5B1Brg7w and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkVzcfT8g7A URLs for news stories: http://psychnews.psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10.1176/pn.47.10.psychnews_47_10_6-a Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Natalie Etter Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 610-764-0769 Does phone accept texts? Yes Organization's Mission: B’More Clubhouse empowers adults living with mental illness to lead meaningful and productive lives of their choice in the community. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Incorporated in 2008 and in operation since April, 2009, the B’More Clubhouse is the only Clubhouse in Maryland. B’More is a fully accredited member of a unique network of more than 330 independent “Clubhouse” organizations worldwide, developed by and supported with technical assistance from Clubhouse International (www.clubhouse-intl.org) which was established in 1994 to promote the development of Clubhouses and maintain quality through its training and certification programs. The Clubhouse model is included in SAMHSA’s National Registry of Evidence-Based Models after extensive research by the University of Massachusetts Medical School Center for Mental Health Services Research showed that Clubhouse membership reduces the likelihood of psychiatric hospitalization and promotes mental health in members. B’More Clubhouse has a current active membership of 110, with daily attendance averaging 25-30 members. Active members are those who have participated in Clubhouse activities within the last 90 days. Since our inception, we have served over 400 adults with mental illness in Baltimore City. Service providers such as Chase Brexton Health Services, Union Memorial Hospital’s PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program), and the University of Maryland Medical Center eagerly refer individuals to us, and we grow by 7-10 members every month.

Description of Organization's Programs & Services: Much more than simply a program or a social service, a Clubhouse is most importantly a community of people who are working together toward a common goal. A Clubhouse is intentionally organized to support individuals living with the effects of mental illness.

Through participation in a Clubhouse, people are given the opportunities to rejoin the worlds of friendships, family, important work, employment, education, and access to the services and supports they may individually need. A Clubhouse is a restorative environment for people who have had their lives drastically disrupted, and need the support of others who believe that recovery from mental illness is possible for all.

Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: The Clubhouse model is a non-clinical, strengths-based approach to recovery from mental illness. Members’ talents are put to use in the day-to-day operation of the Clubhouse. This helps to not only create a structure for members, but increases their self-esteem and confidence, and often leads to re-entry to the workforce or school. Nearly 35% of B’More’s active members are currently employed, compared to only approximately 10% of adults with serious mental illness who are employed nationwide. We also recently completed a Cost Comparison Study in partnership with Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, which showed a significant cost savings of mental health care for B’More members compared to individuals with mental illness in Baltimore who are not members.

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Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Baltimore Community ToolBank Organization Website URL: www.baltimore.toolbank.org Organization Facebook Page URL: www.facebook.com/BaltimoreToolBank Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/bmoretoolbank URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/md.-toolbank-rents-equipment-to-nonprofits/article/feed/2122629?custom_click=rss http://thedailyrecord.com/2014/03/02/where-theres-a-tool-theres-a-way/ http://thedailyrecord.com/2014/05/21/old-bottles-make-a-floating-home-for-new-plants/ Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Noah Smock Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: (410) 693-7680 Does phone accept texts? YES Organization's Mission: The Baltimore Community ToolBank stewards an impressive inventory of tools and equipment to empower community-based organizations and their volunteers in Maryland and the region. Our goal is to end tool scarcity for the region’s volunteers. We do this by providing a range of tools—from drills to build playgrounds to shovels and rakes to maintain community gardens to tables and chairs to host robotics competitions in schools. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution:

Opened under the guidance of ToolBank USA in June 2012, the Baltimore ToolBank was the 3rd such site in the country. Today, 7 ToolBanks empower community work in Atlanta, Charlotte, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Houston, Phoenix and Richmond. 2 more will come online in 2015: Portland and Chicago.

The idea for a ToolBank grew organically out of a home build in Atlanta in the early 1990s. Area business leaders pooled resources to purchase tools to construct a home for a family in need. After the project was finished, tools were stored in a church basement. Soon, congregants were asking to borrow the tools and the idea of a ToolBank was born. From the early 1990s until 2008, Atlanta was the only operating site. When national funders came to the ToolBank with the idea to expand, ToolBank USA was born and soon, ToolBanks were cropping up in other cities: Charlotte, Baltimore, Cincinnati.

In addition to physical locations, ToolBank USA operates a Disaster Services unit that deploys to domestic disasters within the continental US. This ToolBank on wheels deploys to areas in need of critical services less than 72 hours after a disaster strikes to help in clearing and cleaning efforts. Description of Organization's Programs & Services:

Our core program is tool stewardship. We lend hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of tools to area community organizations for less than 3 cents on the dollar per week. Social entrepreneurs in Baltimore and the region consistently face the challenge of limited material resources. Importantly, many agents of social change have significant human resources and ideas, but the lack of material resources often results in a premature end to positive social change in our shared community. We are the "tool shed" for agents of social change in Baltimore and throughout the region.

Our program has a significant positive economic impact on our community-based partners. In a reality that finds most community organizations under-equipped, we are a sharing resource that allows more community organizations to perform more positive work with less capital. This concept of sharing real resources is as powerful as it is simple.

Our simple, streamlined model empowers a host of organizations that enrich the social and cultural fabric of Baltimore City and surrounding areas. We save education partners (schools and after-school programs), arts organizations, community-building organizations, animal shelters and many more through our tool stewardship. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization:

In addition to our tool lending program, we are stewards of our physical space. In 2014, we constructed 2 sizable rain gardens onsite at our warehouse in the Carroll-Camden Industrial Park in southwest Baltimore. We will soon break ground on a Stormwater Factory that will help us retain runoff for use in cleaning our tools. Taken together, these features will repurpose over 400,000 gallons of rain water every year. Because we are a community resource, we are able to serve as an example for other organizations and share our knowledge and experience with them. We regularly host tours of our onsite environmental features to inspire others to scale a similar project in their business or organization.

We believe that the problems facing communities can be solved through resource and knowledge sharing. We embody that belief and intentionally position ourselves as a conduit for community partners.

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Baltimore Green Space Organization Website URL: http://baltimoregreenspace.org/ Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Baltimore-Green-Space/171032542907957?ref=bookmarks URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: http://baltimoregreenspace.org/?page_id=54. Use any photos on the website. Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Miriam Avins Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 443-695-7504 Does phone accept texts? yes Organization's Mission: Baltimore Green Space is a land trust that partners with communities to preserve and support community gardens, forest patches, pocket parks, and other community-managed open spaces. Baltimore’s residents create social, environmental, and economic benefits in their neighborhoods; we aim to support them through land preservation and advocacy for policies that support community greening. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Baltimore Green Space was founded in 2007 by 4 community gardeners. Our first focus was community-managed open spaces such as community gardens and sitting parks. We worked with City government to create a process and criteria that would make them comfortable selling land in use as community green space to land trusts for $1 per lot. We now protect 7 sites on 55 lots, with 5 more in the pipeline. In the past few years we have worked on the issue of forest patches. Forested areas of at least 10,000 square feet of canopy, outside parks, account for 1/5 of the city’s tree canopy and are home to at least 50 kinds of native trees and 60 kinds of birds. However, they are threatened by invasive plants and development. We work with residents who want to care for their patches, and we work on the policy end to promote their preservation. Description of Organization's Programs & Services: 1. Preservation and stewardship of community-managed open spaces: we acquire land in use by communities, and we make sure that our sites have the resources they need. We provide technical and planning assistance to other sites as well, helping them prepare for long-term sustainability. 2. Forest patches: we coordinate the Forest Stewardship Network, linking residents who are caring for neighborhood forest patches with experts, such as Forest Service foresters, local expert naturalists, etc. We also research topics of interest to the stewards and present workshops, such as “Villainous Vines” and bird walks. A new project is to find a way to pay people to work in hard-hit forest patches. We are working to create a workforce development program, in partnership with a local nonprofit. 3. Advocacy: We work with government and nonprofit agencies to create policies and processes that support residents who green their neighborhoods. Successes include the City’s criteria and process for selling land to land trusts; and improved access to water; improved “adopt-a-lot” agreements for residents who want permission to use City-owned land. Twice a year, we provide City government with a list of lots in community use, to ensure that they are not inadvertently sold. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Baltimore has lost 1/3 of its population since the 1950s, and we have about 17,000 vacant lots. Community-managed open spaces turn blighted land into community assets. Forest patches, which grown on some “vacant” land, have particular environmental value, cleaning and cooling the air, filtering stormwater, and providing habitat. Baltimore Green Space is the voice for “not so vacant” land – we make sure City government knows where good things are happening, and we work to make sure that all green uses are supported. We do all this with a tiny staff, an active board, and great volunteers.

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Children’s Playhouse of Maryland Organization Website URL: http://www.cpmarts.org/index.htm Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Childrens-Playhouse-of-Maryland-Inc/150088185031287 Organization Twitter Handle: Other Social Media URLs: URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: example of recent performance review. http://coolprogeny.com/2015/03/my-son-pinocchio-jr-childrens-playhouse-of-maryland/ Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Margie Lake Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 410.245.1450 Does phone accept texts? yes Organization's Mission: The mission of the Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. (CPM) is to provide theatrical experiences for young people in Baltimore’s diverse metropolitan area. The goals of CPM are to make live theatre accessible to all children, to enable young people to gain an appreciation for the arts, as well as confidence and a sense of responsibility, and to provide training and practice in acting and theatre production for youth.

Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Children’s Playhouse of Maryland, Inc. (CPM) is a non-profit community theatre dedicated to youth performers ages 18 and under which has been in existence since 2001 and was originally called The Young People's Players, part of the operation of F. Scott Black’s Towson Dinner Theater. The dinner theater eventually closed and Diane Smith, the artistic director, recognizing a good thing, wanted to keep the students together. The group's name was changed to Children’s Playhouse of Maryland and it became a non-profit organization, which then operated from the Conference Center on the grounds of Sheppard Pratt. In 2004, CPM was offered and accepted a residency at the Community College of Baltimore County-Essex, where it resides today We believe that working with children through the arts enables them to gain confidence, a sense of responsibility and accomplishment, an appreciation for the arts and become well-rounded individuals. Being a part of CPM gives students experience and training to move on and participate in other local and professional productions. They may not all become professional actors or become Broadway stars, but they will have more confidence and self-esteem for whatever career paths they choose.

Description of Organization's Programs & Services: The Children's Playhouse of Maryland is a not for profit community theatre in residence at CCBC Essex, providing workshops, summer camps and performing opportunities for students ages 6 - 18. The Children's Playhouse produces four musicals and one play on our Main Stage each season. All shows are cast from open auditions for anyone in the community 18 and under. Participation in our Main Stage Season is free of cost for students who audition for and are cast in a performance. Performances take place in the Administration Building Lecture Hall on the campus of CCBC Essex.

Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Since 2007 CPM has traveled four times with groups of young performers to participate in the International Junior Theatre Festival (JTF) in Atlanta, GA, each time bringing home awards. Hosted by Music Theatre International and Disney Theatricals the Festival offers the opportunity for young performers from diverse backgrounds to come together over Martin Luther King weekend to celebrate their love for the performing arts. CPM kids participate in a weekend filled with performances, adjudications and award ceremonies all while making friends with a few thousand other kids who share their passion. The memories they make will last a lifetime. This Spring CPM will travel as a group for the first time to participate in the Young Performers of America Workshop in NYC. For many of our young people this will be their first time in New York and their first experience of a Broadway show. In the hopes of continuing to provide opportunities like these in future we are always on the lookout for new avenues of support like crowd sourced funding.

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Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Clay Pots… A Place to Grow Organization Website URL: www.claypotsbaltimore.com Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Clay-Pots-Baltimore/254141711276017 URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: http://www.audaciousideas.org/author/dwaynehess/?profile=true http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bal-‐md-‐open-‐society-‐p2-‐perna-‐20131023-‐photo.html Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Dwayne Hess Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 410.947.2220 Does phone accept texts? yes Organization's Mission: To provide safe space for personal and spiritual growth through education, art, community building and more. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: In 2000, several founding members began discussing the idea of what a faith community could look like in our inner city West Baltimore neighborhood. Could a faith community form that was welcoming, safe, inviting and transforming in a neighborhood struggling with urban challenges such as drug abuse and property abandonment? The founding members decided to move forward, formed an interfaith, non-‐profit organization and bought an old corner store at 1635 West Pratt Street in 2002. Since then the organization has slowly been using volunteer hours to renovate the property as a Neighborhood Spiritual Center to give life and energy to the community. From 2000-‐2007, the group met weekly for discussion and reflection. In 2005, the Education Center opened offering GED and ESOL tutoring and instruction. In 2007, the Coffeehouse was born, opening the doors to the diverse range of people that comprise the neighborhood. In 2009, Dwayne Hess received the Open Society Institute’s Community Fellowship, marking the first time that the center was staffed full-‐time. Also in 2010, the Board of Directors named the building, Clay Pots… A Place to Grow. Currently Dwayne serves as director and Adenike Akintilo serves as Assistant Director. More than twenty regular volunteers help run the various programs of Clay Pots.

Description of Organization's Programs & Services: Clay Pots offers a GED and literacy program that currently has over 50 students enrolled. Classes are operated in conjunction with Baltimore City Community College and the South Baltimore Learning Center. In addition, Clay Pots offers a Fast-‐track for students who test in at the GED level. Thanks to a partnership with Goodwill Industries, Clay Pots offers a weekly job readiness program. Clay Pots offers a community coffeehouse three times each week: Thursday nights, Friday mornings, Saturday mornings. The door is open to all, and the coffee and tea are free. Patrons come to the coffeehouse to enjoy peace and quiet, to meet friends, to hold meetings, to read or to work using our free Wi-‐Fi. Although the coffeehouse is typically agenda-‐free, we do schedule live music, poetry and open mic events from time to time. We see about 100 people per week. Emerging Artist Gallery. Clay Pots features the work of local talent in its gallery. We hold opening receptions for the artists and feature approximately 4-‐5 artists each year. Continuing Education. When possible, we offer a range of classes and workshops for adults including art classes, community Spanish, knitting, strategies for leadership, computer literacy and more. Clay Pots is also home to several support groups including a Narcotics Anonymous home group. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: The board of Clay Pots is made up of people who live in Baltimore. Half the board members can walk to Clay Pots and several were born in raised in West Baltimore.

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Equality Maryland Organization Website URL: eqmd.org Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/EqualityMD?_rdr Organization Twitter Handle: @EqualityMD Other Social Media URLs: flickr.com/photos/equalitymaryland URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: eqmd.org/press-room/eqmd-in-the-news/# Hogan Pulls Medicaid Provision, Hogan agrees to O’Malley’s Medicaid Rule, Changing Hearts and Minds

Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Carrie Evans Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 443-514-4999 Does phone accept texts? Y

Organization's Mission: Equality Maryland is Maryland’s largest LGBT civil rights group. It includes two organizations: a 501c4 advocacy organization (Equality Maryland) that lobbies in Annapolis and across the state to create equal protection under the law for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Marylanders and their families; a 501c3 educational foundation (Equality Maryland Foundation) that works to eliminate prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity through outreach, education, research, community organizing, training and coalition building; Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Begun in 1988 as Baltimore Justice Coalition, then Free State Justice, Equality Maryland (renamed in 2004) has fought diligently in the state capital and other counties and cities to win equal rights. We have been at the helm of almost all of the achievements made for LGBT Marylanders in the last 20 years, most recently playing key leadership roles in securing marriage equality and inclusive state hate crimes and anti-discrimination laws and helping pass county and municipal LGBT inclusive laws. We have spearheaded one-of-a-kind programming, such as partnering with CASA de Maryland in 2012 (Familia es Familia) and joining the coalition to protect the DREAM Act, the creation of the Maryland Black Family Alliance and our Trans Leadership Academy. Equality Maryland continues to lead the work in Annapolis to secure equality for LGBT people under the law, as well as expanding our focus on public education and reducing discrimination and prejudice LGBT people continue to face in daily life. This includes recognizing that LGBT people cannot be reduced to just sexual orientation and gender identity; they are LGBT and black, LGBT and immigrants, LGBT and youth, LGBT and people of faith. Those who live at the intersections of multiple identities face additional obstacles and vulnerability to prejudice, discrimination and violence. In the spring of 2013 Equality Maryland’s Board of Directors officially adopted a three-year strategic plan for the organization focused on addressing these inequalities. Since then, EQMD has begun working with impacted communities to identify specific needs and implement programing aimed at public education, leadership development and policy change to further equality for Maryland’s LGBT communities. This work includes education within the LGBT community and our members about the issues remaining to be addressed. Description of Organization's Programs & Services: Equality Maryland’s work in Annapolis continues as we seek to ensure non-discriminatory health insurance policies, strengthen parenting rights and enact laws meeting the needs of transgender people. Many of our programs prioritize identifying and addressing the needs of LGBT people most vulnerable to discrimination: LGBT people of color, low-income LGBT people, LGBT youth, etc. We serve as co-chair of the Baltimore Police Commissioner’s LGBT Advisory Council, are conducting a needs assessment of the transgender Latina/Latino community, holding racial justice programming with partners such as Morgan State University, and an ongoing training program focused on public education to create safer spaces for LGBT people. Because LGBT people in rural areas and their needs have long been overlooked, we are forming an Eastern Shore LGBT Advisory Council. We are also working to secure better policies for and treatment of LGBT youth in schools and foster care. Since faith and religious communities have been used by opponents to deny LGBT people rights, we are building faith communities that actively embrace LGBT congregants through a program in which places of worship can be certified as Embracing Congregations. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Our supporters are most engaged with social media when the story/post is related to marriage equality or an attack on the LGBT community. Also, we have two signature events - one celebrating women in June called the Diamonds & Denim Women’s Ball, and one with a political focus called the Signature Brunch.

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Friends of Patterson Park Organization Website URL: http://pattersonpark.com Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Patterson-Park/211277162236700 Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/FRPattersonPark Other Social Media URLs: URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2014/02/patterson-‐park-‐pagoda-‐asian-‐influence-‐in-‐southeast-‐baltimore/#1, http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/maryland-‐health/bal-‐hs-‐patterson-‐park-‐dig-‐pg-‐photogallery.html http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2014/10/15th-‐annual-‐great-‐halloween-‐lantern-‐parade-‐at-‐patterson-‐park/#1 http://retrobaltimore.tumblr.com/post/77421899882/jacques-kelly-pagoda-is-still-whimsical Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Jennifer Robinson Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 443-794-4799 Does phone accept texts? yes Organization's Mission: Mission: The Friends’ mission is to ensure the Patterson Park’s vitality as a treasured green space, and encourage use and appreciation by neighbors, visitors, and future generations. Vision: The Friends of Patterson Park envisions a safe, welcoming, vibrant, well-‐tended and well-‐used park that contributes to the health of the surrounding neighborhoods. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Since 1998 the Friends of Patterson Park has been instrumental in facilitating a renaissance of Patterson Park and its surrounding neighborhoods. In the first 15 years of operation the Friends successfully partnered with the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP) and many neighborhood organizations and volunteers to create a safe and welcoming park and community for Baltimore families of a wide variety of economic and cultural backgrounds. In the 1990s, volunteer residents, historians, planners, and architects came together to develop a Master Plan for the park that would lead to the renovation of the park’s Pagoda, Boat Lake, and Marble Fountain. Park benches, perimeter lighting, playgrounds, and gardens were also added. The Friends’ work breathed life back into a park that once suffered crime, decay and dormancy. And with this renaissance came a return of people and families to the park and surrounding neighborhoods, and an increased demand for park programs and services. As of 2015 the Friends play a key role in ensuring the park remains an asset to all its users. The Friends has 3 full-‐time staff members, 650 individual members, and raised $80,000 from these members in 2014. We are in the process of considering options to formalize our role as a park conservancy and take on larger roles in capital projects and park maintenance. Description of Organization's Programs & Services: We are best known for our connection to the Patterson Park Pagoda, which we staff with docents weekly and for special events. The Pagoda is one of Baltimore’s most-photographed icons. We also provide free youth and family programming – youth soccer, all-ages Zumba, youth tennis, adult and youth cooking classes (bilingual). We produce free events, including a free summer concert series, a “Kid’s Day” event, and we co-produce the Great Halloween Lantern Parade. We also have a bilingual health event in the fall – Mueveton. We have stewardship teams that clean the Boat Lake, the Pagoda, and take care of the park’s trees. We’ve started new playground clean-ups for families. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Our model is the strongest example of a private park stewardship organization in Baltimore City. We are dedicated to keeping free programming options to meet the needs of diverse park users. We have a Hispanic Liaison who has helped us grow our bilingual programming and increase Latino leadership in the park.

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Great Blacks in Wax Museum Organization Website URL: www.greatblacksinwax.org Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Great-Blacks-In-Wax-Museum/55408586680 Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/ngbiwm Other Social Media URLs: URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Dr. Joanne M. Martin Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 410.404.8695 Does phone accept texts? Yes Organization's Mission:

Drs. Elmer and Joanne Martin established the museum in 1983 to: stimulate an interest in African-American history; use great leaders as role models to motivate youth to achieve; dispel myths of racial inferiority and superiority; and work in conjunction with other nonprofit, charitable organizations seeking to improve the social and economic status of African-Americans. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: In 1983, Dr. Elmer and Dr. Joanne Martin founded America’s first wax museum of African American history. The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum, Inc. is located in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1988, their philosophy that “community development and cultural development go hand in hand” prompted them to relocate the Museum from their downtown storefront to the fragile, low income Oliver community in East Baltimore.

Since its opening, the Museum has become a prominent, nationally recognized institution. It has also evolved into a powerful compendium of wax figures. The Museum houses about 150 figures of people from the past- like Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and from the present-like President Barack Obama.

A slave ship replica stands first and foremost in the Museum. Within it, a life-size re-creation of the dark belly of a 19th century slave ship shows figures in the dank ship’s hold, their bodies crushed, but not their spirits.

Also recorded in wax are all the noble ways African Americans have participated in the building of this country, from soldiers in the Civil War to members of the Freemasons. From the Western frontier to polar exploration to the space race, African Americans are highlighted for their contributions. Over 150,000 people from around the nation and the world visit this one –of- a- kind museum each year.

The National Great Blacks In Wax Museum’s story has been heralded by news media around the world. These include CBS: The Early Show, CNN, The Daily Record, The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News, Kulturwelt, USA/Africa, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Crisis, Essence Magazine and Ebony Magazine.

In 2001, Dr. Elmer Martin died suddenly while on a research trip in Egypt. Dr. Joanne Martin has since then led the institution in its successful efforts to: obtain National designation by act

of the U.S. Congress; acquire all of the properties in the 1600 block for Museum expansion; demolish 53 properties in the Museum’s rear; create the Museum as a tourism destination for the City of Baltimore; build a block-long 120,000 square foot Museum, slated for completion in 2018.

Description of Organization's Programs & Services:

The National Great Blacks In Wax is more than a museum. It offers opportunities for young people in the community to take part in our volunteer and intern programs, often providing a safe haven for at-risk youth. The museum has tour programs for individuals, families, daycare centers, churches, schools, and other organizations. The Museum Awareness Program brings parents and their children together to learn more about different aspects of all museums. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization:

The founders of the Museum were forward thinking enough to see cultural tourism as a tool for bringing disinvested communities back to life. They understood that without new tools to fight the problems of blight, job loss, crime and disinvestment, success and recovery within them would be all but impossible. The Museum’s ability to contribute to Baltimore’s stature as a center for tourism and its ability to stimulate economic development are essential elements of its expansion initiative. Our new museum will achieve both objectives while helping to reverse the physical deterioration of the community. Acquisition for the Museum’s expansion is 95% complete. More than 77 vacant and abandoned buildings will be replaced by constructing a 120,000 square foot Museum in the 1600 block of North Avenue and developing a commercial area for tourism.

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Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Holistic Life Foundation Inc. Organization Website URL: http://hlfinc.org Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holistic-Life-Foundation-Inc/119112564775646 Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/HLFINC Other Social Media URLs: URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9QISE_aPqM&list=PLmzioq6Z8rlcm7TPmrtCxVFklrH2RN-d6) Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Atman Smith Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: (443) 857-6477 Does phone accept texts? Yes Organization's Mission: The Holistic Life Foundation is a Baltimore-based 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to nurturing the wellness of children and adults in underserved communities. Through a comprehensive approach which helps children develop their inner lives through yoga, mindfulness, and self-care HLF demonstrates deep commitment to learning, community, and stewardship of the environment. HLF is also committed to developing high-quality evidence based programs and curriculum to improve community well-being.

Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: For the last 12 years Robert W. Coleman Elementary has been home to Holistic Me, an afterschool program for Pre-K through 5th graders who are frequently angry and/or disruptive in class. The focal point of Holistic Me is the mindfulness/yoga practice—a combination of poses and breath work aimed to help students cope with the difficulties of inner city living. Holistic Me staff, 80% of who workforce development program graduates, are not only teachers, but role models, friends, and confidants. After mindfulness/yoga practice ends, students receive tutoring and homework assistance, fitness and sports training, and environmental education.

Through HLF’s Mindful Moment Program, approximately 1,300 students at Patterson Park High School begin and end each day with mindfulness practice and silent reflection. The Program gives students access to the Mindful Moment Room, a positive space where staff help students calm down in times of conflict, teach mindfulness/yoga practice, coach on peaceful conflict resolution, and simply give light-hearted advice in between classes. Students can self-refer to the Mindful Moment Room or teachers can send distressed or disruptive students to the room for individual guidance, as an alternative to suspension. So far the results are promising. From the 2012-2013 to the 2013-2014 school year, individual suspensions for fighting decreased from 49 to 23; skipping class from 62 to 35; classroom disruption from 36 to 17. Mindful Moment’s success at Patterson Park High School meant time for us to expand our scope. So beginning in 2014, HLF launched the Mindful Moment program at Robert E. Coleman Elementary School, with full-time staff serving385 students.

The Holistic Life Foundation continues to reach new heights—we’ve grown from three employees to more than 20; our students have led workshops from Charlottesville, Virginia to Minneapolis, Minnesota and Bavaria, Germany

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: The IMAGE Center for People with Disabilities Organization Website URL: http://www.imagemd.org Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/theimagecenter Organization Twitter Handle: Other Social Media URLs: URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: http://www.disabilityskills.org Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Michael Bullis Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 443-286-9001 Does phone accept texts? Yes Organization's Mission: To empower people with the tools, techniques, and attitudes they need to manage disability. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Founded in 2011, the IMAGE Center has grown from a staff of four to sixteen. We are people with disabilities empowering people with disabilities. We have helped 43 people leave nursing homes and get back to the community where they belong. Description of Organization's Programs & Services: We provide the knowledge of independence to teens, adults, and seniors with significant disabilities. Through our Out & About program, we help people move back to the community from nursing homes, we help teens learn to live independently. When adults acquire disabilities we provide the role models and skills training to help them reclaim their lives. We spread the knowledge that disability is manageable. Our national focus program is the creation of the Aging & Disability Skills Network, a website where anyone will be able to go and check off their specific disabilities and see people, just like them, managing daily tasks such as cooking, recreation, driving, and fun things like cleaning the house. We provide peer mentors to young adults with significant disabilities, helping them see that disability need not be a limitation on living a full life, raising children, being employed and involved In the community. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Our services to veterans help them stay in their own homes rather than moving to a care facility by providing the community resources and supports they need. Most people cannot imagine how they will live a full life with a significant disability. We provide the examples, the technology and the techniques to demonstrate that disability means turning a crisis into an opportunity.

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Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Jubilee Arts (a program of Newborn Holistic Ministries) Organization Website URL: http://arts.jubileeartsbaltimore.org/ Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/jubileeartsbaltimore Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/jubileearts1 Other Social Media URLs: https://instagram.com/jubileearts1/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvJWa5L53Os3KCZWP6mR6xw URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Nora Howell Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 513-300-5126 Does phone accept texts? YES

Organization's Mission: Jubilee Arts is a catalyst for social change, using art as a tool for empowerment, community building, learning our history and changing our future.

Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: The idea for a community art space on Pennsylvania Avenue began in 1996 when our founder, CW Harris was given a vacant building. At the time, however there was a greater need in the community for a transitional home for women, hence the birth of Martha’s Place. The idea was revisited again when Elder Harris and church member and violinist Melissa Ruof (featured in our video) shared a vision for a creative community space. The building directly across from Martha’s Place was purchased and completely renovated into a vibrant community art space, complete with a ceramics, visual art and dance studio. Our building opened in 2009 and we continue to cultivate a creative and community oriented space through art, dance, and creative writing classes and projects. Watch to video to learn more! Newborn Holistic Ministries founder Elder C.W. Harris has never been one to stop fighting for our community. In fact, even establishing our Martha’s Place and Jubilee Arts programs, he’s still at work! Most recently he’s been working to establish Strength to Love 2, a program serving ex-offenders in our community that has turned to urban farming both to create jobs and offer fresh food in our community. Check out the great article HERE in Al Jazeera America by journalist Alia Malek. Description of Organization's Programs & Services: Jubilee Arts offers art, dance and ceramic classes for ages 6 and up. Serving 500 community residents a year and 500-1,000 individuals yearly through festivals and outdoor art projects (murals, mosaics etc) Classes and programs include: clay for: families, youth and adults; fashion design, painting, street art, community art, ballet, line dance, African dance, creative crafts, video, step and our new Youth In Business initiative (teens making and selling their artwork) Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Under the leadership of our founder and partnering programs—Jubilee has been a part of rebuilding and transforming an entire intersection in west Baltimore, renovating seven vacant buildings and putting murals/mosaics on each corner of the intersection. Over 50% of participants live within our community/zip code—which speaks to our mission to serve our direct community, a community which as a history of being under resourced and marginalized. Partners with the Maryland Institute College of Art and Baltimore Clayworks, local elementary and middle schools. The Majority of our teaching artists have masters in their area of expertise and or professional artists All staff members (not including contracted instructors) live within a mile of our center. Our founder is a life long resident and lives across the street from Jubilee.

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Metropolitan Baltimore Organization Website URL: www.namibaltimore.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NAMIMetropolitanBaltimore?ref=aymt_homepage_panel Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/nami_baltimore News: http://www2.nami.org/MSTemplate.cfm?Section=News6&Site=NAMI_Metropolitan_Baltimore&Template=/ContentManagement/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=172907 Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Email address: Cell phone: Does phone accept texts? Caitlin Mulrine [email protected] 302-419-7107 Yes Organization's Mission: NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore seeks to improve the lives of people living with mental illness, their families, and communities through education, support, and advocacy. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore is a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. Established in 1983, the organization has grown into one of the most active local affiliates. NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore piloted many of the Signature NAMI education and support programs. In 2014, the organization served more than 4,000 individuals in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Description of Organization's Programs & Services: The core of the organization’s services are its’ education and support programs for people living with mental illness and family members or caregivers. Each education program – Family-to-Family, NAMIBasics and Peer-to-Peer - is peer-led by trained mentors who are themselves living well with mental illness or who support a loved one’s recovery. Additionally, NAMI Metro Baltimore offers weekly support groups for individuals and families affected by mental illness. The groups offer a confidential space for sharing lived experiences with mental health challenges. The groups are also peer-led by a pair of trained facilitators. NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore is committed to providing all education and support programs at no cost to participants. In addition, NAMI Metro Baltimore is engaged in community education and awareness programming. Each month, the organization welcomes a local mental health practitioner, professor, or researcher to speak on various topics related to mental health and wellness. Additionally, NAMI Metro Baltimore volunteers are trained to share their personal stories in the In Our Own Voice presentation, which is designed to confront the negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding mental illness. Presentations are given at community-based organizations, faith communities, universities, and corporations. Finally, advocacy is a key area of NAMI’s services. In collaboration with the state NAMI organization, NAMI Metro Baltimore advocates on behalf of our members for access to high-quality health care and other services necessary to recovery. In 2015, the key legislative priority NAMI has been engaged with is protecting state funding for mental health and substance abuse treatments for all Marylanders. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: In the past year, the organization underwent a significant leadership change and hired a new Executive Director, Sherry Welch. Under her leadership, the organization plans to expand its reach by serving more people with high-quality programs. The organization has established new partnerships to begin delivering programs to previously underserved areas in our community.

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Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: One More One Less Mentoring Organization Website URL: http://www.omolmentoring.org/ Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/OMoLmentoring?ref=hl Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/omolmentoring Other Social Media URLs: https://instagr.in/u/omolmentoring URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: https://www.dropbox.com/s/infq0688v5lh84i/One%20More%20One%20Less%20documentary.pdf?dl=0 www.shanehughes.photoshelter.com

Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Ron Beazer Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 443-257-5536 Does phone accept texts? Yes Organization's Mission: The mission of the OMOL Mentoring Program is to provide mentors who will work with at-risk boys on an individual basis and within a group setting to promote and support positive growth amongst our young men. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: The OMOL program has been in existence for 8 years. It started as a response to the request from the school principal to address the discipline and behavior issues of 2nd grade boys. From that moment we realized that this work was too important to simply be an afterschool program or something that takes place only when it fits the schools schedule, so we created an organization, recruit mentors and form partnerships. Since then the program has grown to include 2 schools and a live radio show that airs every other Sunday at 6 p.m. Our enrollment consists of boys that live in Baltimore City and county. The program operates on a 12 month calendar and boys can enroll at any time during the calendar year/ Description of Organization's Programs & Services: We work with at risk males; age 8 – 18 years old with our focus being ages 8-12. Our group sessions are held twice a month on Saturdays. During these sessions, we address issues such as bullying, conflict resolution, self-respect and respect for others, health/wellness, positive self-image, value of education, and the importance setting productive short-term and long-term goals for their future. Guest speakers are invited to attend and engage our young men by sharing their stories and offering sound advice and encouragement as they set goals and achieve their dreams. We are also passionate about involving our young men in their communities. Our young men attend a variety of local and regional community and civic events which expose them to the richness of their heritage and the history behind their culture. Through the program’s initiative, our young men cultivate a positive sense of self-pride/respect, develop an understanding of the importance/value of education, make better life decisions, and learn about the significance of knowing their history and the meaning of giving back. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: We have been featured in the Baltimore Times Newspaper and appear in a news story on WJZ 13 a CBS Local affiliate.

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2015 Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, Baltimore Convention Center Crowd-Sourced Corporate and Foundation Grant Funding Workshop, 3/29/15, 1:30-2:45 pm, Room 308 Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Out For Justice Organization Website URL: www.out4justice.org Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/OFJ2014 Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/OutForJusticeMD Other Social Media URLs: N/A URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Diamonté Brown Email address: [email protected] Cell phone:443-422-8884 Does phone accept texts? Yes Organization's Mission: OFJ’s vision is to engage and empower individuals that have been directly and/or indirectly impacted by the criminal justice system. As leaders on the front line of criminal justice reform in Maryland, members will strive to bring about broad, deep economic and social change on behalf of themselves and others that are negatively affected by possession of a criminal record.

Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Out For Justice Inc. (OFJ) was founded in 2006 by formerly incarcerated individuals that were ready and willing to work but repeatedly denied employment due to their criminal record. With the support of friends and members of their families, OFJ strives to end employment barriers and all perpetual punishment that adversely affects ex-offenders. In 2015, OFJ brings an essential component to advocating for policy reform, which is grassroots organizing. OFJ was once an organization that just supported legislation. Now we propose legislation that our members feel is pertinent to ex- offenders. Description of Organization's Programs & Services:

Leadership Development-Out For Justice develops its members to be leaders in their community and among ex-offenders. Out For Justice trains leaders to advocate on behalf on policy reform, strategic planning, organize events, and educate and mobilize other ex -offenders/community members. Advocacy Training- Out For Justice Members train community members in advocacy. Out For Justice members specifically trains the community on the legislative process and how to advocate for policies that directly impact them.

Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Out For Justice takes pride in being led by ex-offenders. That means we, the ex-offenders, do the work in the organization. We go into the community and get the issues, we strategize on how to tackle issues, and then we tackle legislation. We don’t just use ex-offenders to tell their story and be seen so that people can feel sorry for them. We empower ex-offenders to lead the charge just as the advocates do.

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Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Rebuilding Together Baltimore Organization Website URL: http://rtbaltimore.org/ Organization Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/RebuildingTogetherBaltimore Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/RTBaltimore Other Social Media URLs: URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Bonnie Bessor Email address: [email protected] Cell phone: 410-916-1062 Does phone accept texts? YES Mission Statement: Bringing volunteers and communities together to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Vision Statement: A safe and healthy home for every person.

Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Rebuilding Together Baltimore (RTB) is a safe and healthy housing organization with a strong volunteer engagement platform and neighborhood focus. Since 1989, RTB has assisted over 1,300 homeowners in 35 Baltimore neighborhoods. Rebuilding Together Baltimore is an affiliate of Rebuilding Together, Inc., the national non-profit that supports 166 Rebuilding Together affiliates across the United States. All Rebuilding Together affiliates share the same mission and vision.

In the eleven years since we hired our first full-time Executive Director, the organization has grown significantly in the depth and breadth of our work. We have strived to further professionalize our services and operations, diversify our funding, and build partnerships with other organizations and agencies.

Description of Organization's Programs & Services: We provide home repairs for low-income homeowners in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. We prioritize services for seniors, people with disabilities, and families with children. The majority of our service recipients are seniors. We focus on repairs and improvements that will make homes warmer, safer, and drier for all occupants; and will contribute to neighborhood revitalization. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: We heavily engage volunteers from the corporate community in our mission. Our goals are to help individual homeowners and also help & revitalize their communities. We help to stabilize affordable homeownership and help families retain what is usually their only wealth: their home. We offer a high return on investment: every dollar donated is turned into 3 dollars of value to the community.

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Name of Nonprofit Competing for Grant Funding: Wide Angle Youth Media Org Website URL: http://wideanglemedia.org/ Org Facebook Page URL: https://www.facebook.com/wideanglemedia?_rdr Organization Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/wideangleym Other Social Media URLs: n/a URLs for any news stories or photos related to the organization: We update our Facebook and Twitter regularly with organizational highlights, and also post news related information on our blog at wideanglemedia.org/blog. Name of contact person and contact information available on-site or by phone on March 29, 1:30-2:45 pm Name: Sheila Wells Email: [email protected] Cell phone: 410-271-8211 Phone accept texts? Yes Organization's Mission: Wide Angle Youth Media is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides Baltimore youth with media education to tell their own stories and become engaged with their communities. Through quality after-school programming, in-school opportunities, summer workshops, community events, and our Traveling Photography Exhibit, Wide Angle supports young people making a difference through media. Overview of Organization's History and its Evolution: Wide Angle was founded in 2000 with the goal of providing Baltimore youth and communities with the media education and resources to represent themselves. Thanks to the support of the Open Society Institute’s Community Fellows Program, Founder Gin Ferrara was able to propel the organization’s development forward in 2001, enabling her to run Wide Angle full-time while serving more youth and community groups. Over the years, our mission organically grew and sharpened, focusing primarily on youth; using media to help youth tell their stories, providing sustained opportunities for youth development, and sharing youth media with the larger community. Moving forward, we see a bright future for our organization, our youth producers, and the communities we serve. WAYM’s vision is for a more inclusive Baltimore that meets the needs of all its young residents, giving them a voice in decisions and institutions that impact their lives. Students in WAYM programming use the media arts to tell stories that are important to them in their daily lives. Past topics have included: environmental preservation in east Baltimore, youth homelessness, the need for healthy options in food deserts, the importance of literacy, and dispelling negative stereotypes of Baltimore City’s youth.

Description of Organization's Programs & Services: Each year, Wide Angle provides media arts workshops to Baltimore youth in grades 5-‐12, and their surrounding communities by offering trainings, presentations, and exhibitions to educators, families, and supporters. To date, WAYM has served nearly 3,700 Baltimore City youth in intensive media learning experiences. These young people have created more than 160 videos about issues that matter to them, from the impact of gang violence to youth identity, from community safety to the environment. Their work has been shared with tens of thousands of people in community screenings; on cable television; at local, national, and international film festivals; and on the internet. WAYM has four core programs (in which youth receive at least 32 hours of intensive media training) including: Baltimore Speaks Out!, the Youth Photography Traveling Exhibition, the Mentoring Video Project and the Attendance and Design Team. We also offer special programs and workshops throughout the school year and in summer. Wide Angle serves more than 350 youth each year through four core programs. All core programming is free for participants, and students are evaluated on their skill growth in the following criteria: media arts technology, creativity, public speaking, interpreting information, listening, and teambuilding. Provide any additional significant information about the uniqueness and successes of this organization: Youth involved in Wide Angle Youth Media programming have gone on to complete high school, attend college, and find meaningful work experiences in a variety of disciplines. To date, every youth who has stayed in our program has graduated high school. Students who participate in Wide Angle programs average 96% attendance in schools – in comparison, between one third and one half of Baltimore high school students are chronically absent from school. We have also secured numerous acceptances and awards for our youth produced media, having had work shown in over 32 film festival worldwide.

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