2023 News Release:
The Hoffberger Foundation is excited to share the outcomes of the invitation-only 2023 grants process. This year, the Foundation took a deliberate step toward fostering partnerships with organizations that address the needs and services for children’s mental health and trauma, which is a national crisis issue.
As part of the Foundation’s effort to implement trust-based philanthropic best practices we renewed nine existing grantee partners and awarded three new grants to nonprofits addressing the critical issues surrounding children's mental health and trauma in the greater Baltimore community.
In addition, the Foundation also awarded two grants to fund sector support, with the aim of actively contributing to building organizational capacity for nonprofits as well as expanding efforts to better understand and impact the ecosystem barriers our grantee partners and their participants face.
Ballet After Dark - $50,000
Ballet After Dark (BAD) is a grassroots BIPOC-led organization focused on restoring power to survivors specifically women and girls (targeting ages 8-18). They specialize in somatic therapy, which is an innovative approach that intertwines mental and emotional health, creating a powerful connection between the mind and body. BAD creates engaging programs in response to community interest including a trauma-informed summer camp with dance and martial arts therapy.
BAD is specifically seeking to strategically expand its programing at two community-based centers—the Eubie Blake Cultural Center in West Baltimore and the Creative Alliance on the East side of the city, with the latter focused on engaging with the Spanish-speaking community given the identified need.
Pro Bono Counseling - $50,000
Pro Bono Counseling’s (PBC) overarching goal is to ensure quality mental health care is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic, employment, or insurance status. PBC operates three complementary programs: Counseling Services; The WARMLine; and Clinician Education and Support. PBC will focus services on youth mental health in the greater Baltimore area. Given the demographics of the city and county, PBC is aware of—and seeks to insure—its clients are matched with clinicians who are culturally competent and can provide customized therapy.
TurnAround, Inc. - $50,000
TurnAround’s mission is to educate, empower, and advocate for individuals impacted by intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. The organization provides a range of trauma-informed services to its participants including a 24/7 helpline, emergency shelter, and food and clothing pantries as well as providing advocacy, court accompaniment, and trauma therapy—including play and art therapy. TurnAround seeks to expand its community-based efforts as well as deepen its services through its partnership with specific Boys and Girls Clubs in Baltimore City.
Maryland Nonprofits - $35,000
Established over 30 years ago with 139 members, Maryland Nonprofits now serves over 6,000 members and extends its reach to over 2,500 nonprofits through its Standards of Excellence and Nonprofit Development Center (which the Foundation helped establish with early funding). The organization is well-positioned to support and advocate for the state’s nonprofit sector, particularly those in greater Baltimore, given their commitment to racial equity and access. Maryland Nonprofits will continue providing organization capacity building support as they expand their effort to further build professional development skills of BIPOC-led, primarily community-based nonprofit staff particularly through its developing relationship with the BLK ED Network.
Maryland Philanthropy Network - $20,000
The Maryland Philanthropy Network (MPN) is a statewide membership association that serves as a network connecting over 130 donor organizations across Maryland and collaborates with nonprofits and community leaders to advance the impact of the social sector. The organization designs various programs and series, offering over 100 events annually tailored to trustees, executive, and professional philanthropic staff at different career stages, aiming to educate, inspire action, and provide investment insights. MPN seeks to expand its overall advocacy effort and member education/training as well as the Baltimore Workforce Collaborative’s (BWFC) Community Conversations initiative, which broadly seeks stakeholder and nonprofit input and to promote dialogue as well as potential intersectional collaboration.
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About Hoffberger Family Philanthropies: The Hoffberger Family Philanthropies are led by descendants of Charles and Sarah Hoffberger, Jewish immigrants who established Baltimore as their home in the late 19th century. The Hoffberger Foundation was established in 1941, providing support that strengthens communities, eases barriers to opportunity, and has a positive impact on the well-being of individuals who live in impoverished neighborhoods. The Hoffberger Family Fund was established in 1980 to support The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore. For more information, please visit https://www.hoffberger.org.