South Baltimore Gateway Partnership Announces Nearly $1 Million in Community Grants Supporting District Communities
The South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (SBGP) announces $932,787 in Community Grants to support 24 projects across South and Southwest Baltimore, the largest collective Community Grants funding amount yet. This round of funding attracted proposals totaling more than $2.4 million. These grants are awarded based on previously determined criteria, including alignment with strategic goals, and go through a rigorous application review process to ensure that awards are distributed equitably and are diverse and inclusive in geographic location and project type. SBGP Community Grants funding is provided by the Local Impact Grants generated by video lottery terminals, including at the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. Since its establishment in 2016, SBGP has committed approximately $32.4 million of core intergovernmental Local Impact Grant funds to projects across the SBGP District, ranging from small community grants to large capital projects.
The strategic priorities criteria that guide award determinations include environmental sustainability, community revitalization, and health and wellness; grantees’ approaches to supporting community needs through these frameworks range from infrastructure to operational support. “We are excited to be growing our “Community Eating Together” program with this funding for our “Pantry on the Go” project. Making sure that community members have regular access to healthy food means that food insecurity can be addressed and alleviated in the absence of a nearby grocery store and that we’re also supporting community members in leading healthy and happy lives. This grant will help us stabilize and refurbish the building that houses this program so that it can be a resource in Sharp-Leadenhall for years to come,” says Dr. Alvin J. Gwynn, Jr., pastor of Leadenhall Baptist Church.
Food Rescue Baltimore is also working to address food insecurity in their neighborhood and is receiving funding for operational support. Says Executive Director Matt Burke, “With this funding, we’ll be able to support a year’s worth of operational costs associated with our food distribution program in Pigtown. Our program supports nearly 100 community members each week with access to healthy food and savings on grocery bills while also promoting sustainability and curbing local food waste.”
The Cherry Hill Eagles Foundation is also using grant funding for operational support. “We are posed to serve the entire community through many programs beyond sports at our new Youth Development and Resource Center. With the funding for operational support, we’re looking forward to enhancing our economic mobility, education, workforce development, and health and wellness services available to the Cherry Hill community,” says Founder and President Raheem Brown.
In addition to the projects described above, Community Grants funding will support a variety of other programs:
- The “RICH Youth Workforce Development” program will offer employment skill development and a sense of fiscal responsibility for Cherry Hill youth hired as RICH Juice Bar employees. (Restoring Inner City Hope – RICH, Cherry Hill)
- The “Improving Federal Hill Park” project will install large garden beds filled with native, resilient plant species, supporting safety efforts to reduce high-speed vehicle traffic around Federal Hill Park. (South Harbor Renaissance, Inc., Federal Hill)
- The “On Track 4 Success” program at Westport Academy will guide and support youth on their path to graduation. (The United Way of Central Maryland, Inc., Westport)
A full list of Community Grants awards can be found here.
A new round of SBGP Community Grants funding will be available this coming summer in 2024. Visit https://sbgpartnership.org/community-grants/ to learn more and apply.