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ABAG's Adventures in Philanthropy Column
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"Charitable Giving - B'MORE Fund"
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| Doug and Catherine Hoffberger, B'MORE Fund |
By Betsy Nelson
The Daily Record
October 17, 2003
Hearing the stories of three outstanding individuals working to improve life in Baltimore gives me renewed hope for the future of our city. I'd like to share these stories with you, but first, let me tell you how I came to hear them.
About a year ago, a group of young professionals came together to think of a way they could make a difference in Baltimore. What they came up with was the B'MORE Fund, a giving circle sponsored by the Baltimore Community Foundation. The 32 members of the B'MORE Fund pool their dollars and make cash awards to recognize and celebrate individuals contributing to Baltimore.
They find people who are doing effective important work, are taking risks, and using new and creative ways to meet needs. Chuck Morton, co-chair of the Fund, puts it this way: “We look for people making a real difference in the city … people who are not afraid to try something new to improve people's lives. “By making awards to these kinds of people, we aim not only to celebrate and recognize their achievements, but also to inspire other Baltimoreans to make a difference too.
I know that I and others in the fund have already been inspired by them,” he said. This year, the B'MORE Fund inspires us with three dynamic awardees, who will be recognized at a gala event on Oct. 23 at the Rotunda Theater.
They are: Tisha Edwards, principal of the Baltimore Freedom Academy, which is one of Baltimore's new innovation high schools, focusing on civic engagement and service.
Tisha is an attorney with a passion for involving youth in their communities. This new school aims to help students become critical thinkers with a deep understanding of social and economic dynamics that will help them become effective civic leaders. Fund members particularly appreciated her perseverance and relentless energy in pursuit of her goals.
Joseph Jones, CEO of the Center for Fathers, Families and Workforce Development. Joe works to empower low-income families by increasing the ability of men to be responsible fathers and wage earners. In his own life, Joe struggled with addiction and engaged in crime. Having turned his own life around, he devotes his days to changing the lives of men with similar struggles. Fund members were impressed with Joe's commitment and drive, and his impressive track record in helping men get and keep jobs and become better fathers.
Sean Smeeton, executive director of the Sylvan Beach Foundation. Sylvan Beach takes an entrepreneurial approach to workforce development for disadvantaged young adult males. Sean gives them a place to live, education, and business experience, and works to foster a community. The Foundation created two businesses – the Sylvan Beach Café and Sylvan Beach Homemade Ice Cream, which are operated and managed by young men enrolled in the program, and by program alumni. Fund members commented on Sean's strategic, entrepreneurial approach, and his model's potential for replication.
It's great to see the energy and enthusiasm of the B'MORE Fund's young members getting involved in philanthropy. My hope is that they catch the bug and become lifelong donors, volunteers, and activists. If you want to join them, now is your chance. The B'MORE Fund is growing.
If you live or work in Baltimore City and want to celebrate those who improve our community, get involved. The fund requires a two year commitment $500/year from each member. Members can help shape the direction of the fund and vote yearly on awards.
You can find more information about each of these dynamic Baltimoreans, and about the B'MORE Fund itself on the fund's website.
Other archived articles from ABAG's Adventures in Philanthropy Column:
"Charitable Giving - How to Build Healthy Neighborhoods"
"Charitable Giving - Neighborhood Excellence Initiative"
"Charitable Giving - Annie E. Casey Exec Inspires"
"Charitable Giving - Maryland's eSource for Advisors"
"Charitable Giving - Local Donor Collaborations"
"Charitable Giving - ABC and African-American Philanthropy"
"Charitable Giving - Local Foundations Show Support for Baltimore School System "
Charitable Giving: Maryland Business Giving Workbook
Charitable Giving - Take care with the Care Act
"Charitable Giving - Local Foundation Investment in Baltimore High School Reform"
"Charitable Giving - Shape Up...Live Well"
Charitable Giving - The Cost of Raising Money
CareFirst plus WellPoint equals foundation
Charitable Giving - National Philanthropy Day Celebrates Giving in Maryland
Charitable Giving - A Plan of One's Own: A Woman's Guide to Philanthropy
Charitable Giving - Defining moments
Charitable Giving - Corporate Caring
Charitable Giving - Conflicts of Interest
The Baltimore Fund of the TRF Urban Growth Partners
Teaching That Achievement Counts
"Charitable Giving - Good Time to Decide How Much to Give"
Charitable Giving - Capital/Endowment Fund Campaigns
Making Education a Priority
Charitable Giving - B'MORE Fund
State of Giving
How Effective Nonprofits Work
"Charitable Giving - Women Begin to Realize Full Potential as Philanthropists, Expert Says"
"Charitable Giving - Charitable Planning from the Advisor's Perspective"
"Charitable Giving - Expanding Corporate Giving"
"Charitable Giving - IYF Addresses Critical Concerns Facing Youth"
"Charitable Giving - Strategic Planning Part One
"Charitable Giving - Tips for Developing a Strategic Business Plan"
"Charitable Giving - There's A Right Way to Do the Right Thing"
"Charitable Giving - While You're Passing the Turkey, Take a Minute to Reflect"
"Charitable Giving - What We Give and Where It Goes"
"Charitable Giving - MD Companies Working to Make Holidays Special for Less Fortunate"
"Charitable Giving - Coming Together: Global Community Responds to a Natural Disaster"
"Charitable Giving - National Philanthropy Day Winners"
"Charitable Giving - Role of the Nonprofit Board"
Reason to believe
Charitable Giving - Technology & nonprofits
Charitable Giving - Advice to foundations
Charitable Giving - New resource for nonprofit groups
Charitable Giving - Inspired philanthropy
Charitable Giving - Developing Leaders
Charitable Giving - Wanted: Professional volunteers
Donor Advised Funds
"Charitable Giving - Salute to T. Rowe Price
"Charitable Giving - Teacher Appreciation Fund"
Charitable Giving - Youth and Volunteers
Charitable Giving - To Honor Mothers
"Charitable Giving - Future of philanthropy"
"Charitable Giving - Contributions to charities"
"Charitable Giving - Giving in tough times"
"Charitable Giving - Celebrating special occasions with philanthropy"
"Charitable Giving - B'MORE Fund"
"Charitable Giving - 20 years of building a community of grantmakers"
"Charitable Giving - Building a more effective board"
"Charitable Giving - When nonprofits discover the executive chair empty"
"Charitable Giving - Sustaining Yourself"
"Charitable Giving - Community development in Baltimore"
"Charitable Giving - Resource at Risk"
"Charitable Giving - Fundraising"
Maryland's Community Foundations: For Good and For Ever
Advisors
Knott Nonprofit Leadership Initiative
Digital Bridge Initiative
Dollars for doers'
Businesses Earn State Tax Credits Through Nonprofit Giving
Leadership Program of Their Own
CHARITABLE GIVING
Maryland foundations and corporations respond to tragedy
Reason to believe
Where's the Good News?
Turning the Corner
How to get youth involved in civic life
Recognizing Volunteers
Standards for Excellence
Considerations for Endowment Gifts
Determining what works
New directions for philanthropy
Giving through a business partnership
Your business can make a difference
A helping hand for helping hands
Donate Your Rebate – Maryland!
Leave a Legacy
Forming a Circle of Giving
Cultivating civically engaged young people through work, service
Celebrating the Spirit of Giving
Thanks/Giving Day
Stocks in the Future
Baltimore Neighborhood Collaborative
The Great Wealth Transfer
Investing in Our Community
In the Wake of Sept. 11
Adventures in Philanthropy
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