Snapshots of Philanthropy, 7 in a Series of 25

7 in a series of 25

Community Leaders Help Students Head for College

In 1988, a group of leaders in Baltimore City had a startling realization about why more local students weren't going to college: the schools were so focused on the kids getting into trouble that no one was paying attention to the "good kids" who were doing well, but lacked the resources and support to pursue a college education.

The business community and other funders pitched in to create the infrastructure needed, and today the CollegeBound Foundation serves more than 15,000 students attending 20 high schools in Baltimore City. It offers more than $1 million in scholarships and grants along with intensive counseling and support to help motivate students and walk them through the process of applying for college.

The CollegeBound Foundation, an independent nonprofit, gets well over half of its funding from local corporations and foundations. Among the proud supporters of CollegeBound are the Woodside Foundation, Lockhart Vaughan Foundation, Macht Philanthropic Fund, Abell Foundation, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Rouse Company Foundation, and the Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds.

Many businesses support CollegeBound because it supports their bottom line and helps address their need for qualified candidates to fill positions. "It is important for the businesses in Baltimore City to recognize the value the CollegeBound Foundation brings to the community" says Thomas V. Brooks, Vice Chairman of the Constellation Energy Group. "By enabling low-income children to become members of our region's college educated workforce, CollegeBound is making a significant contribution to regional efforts to protect Maryland's competitive edge. An investment in CollegeBound is an investment in our community's greatest asset - its children." Companies like Venable LLP, American Trading and Production Corporation, Legg Mason, IBM, and T. Rowe Price agree.

Some funders start specific scholarship programs, while others donate to a Last Dollar Grant Program that provides up to $3,000 a year to help students cover needs not covered by existing scholarships. The foundation has also launched a college retention program to help students succeed once in college. These efforts are producing college graduates at three times the national average for low-income students.

"We help students apply for financial aid and get their fees waived for the SAT and the ACT as well as for the college application process," notes Dr. Craig Spilman, Executive Director at CollegeBound. "We also take them on college tours in and out of the state and hold college fairs at the schools, along with a bevy of workshops to learn about college and financial aid."

The Association of 25 Baltimore Area Grantmakers

Snapshots of Philanthropy offer a glimpse into the many ways funders are making a difference in our community. This is one in a series of 25 profiles created to celebrate the work of Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers (ABAG) members in recognition of the 25th anniversary of ABAG.

The Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers is the Greater Baltimore region's premier resource on philanthropy, dedicated to informing grantmakers and improving our community, with membership of more than 120 private foundations and corporations