ANNAPOLIS, MD—Gov. Wes Moore and the philanthropic organization Arnold Ventures announced Tuesday a combined $20 million in grants to support programs for Maryland’s young people. The grants, part of the Maryland Partnership for Proven Programs, will benefit more than 3,000 youth and students through college initiatives and mentorship programs.
This announcement represents the final round of grants in the partnership, bringing the total investment to $40 million. The partnership, launched by Moore in February 2024, is an evidence-based effort to expand proven programs that improve economic mobility and career outcomes for Marylanders. Arnold Ventures provided matching funds for the state’s investment.
“Maryland’s young people are the future,” Moore said. “We share a common duty to unlock their potential and elevate their dreams.”
The grants will be divided between two main initiatives:
Community College Support
A $14.4 million grant will be awarded to four community colleges:
- Harford Community College
- Prince George’s Community College
- Wor-Wic Community College
- Community College of Baltimore County
In collaboration with the Maryland Higher Education Commission, these colleges will replicate the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) model. This program provides academic, personal, and financial support to low-income students, and has been shown to significantly improve graduation rates.
Mentorship Expansion
A $5.6 million grant will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters to address a backlog of youth waiting for mentors, most of whom are boys. This funding will allow the organization to reach an additional 1,000 young people across nine counties:
- Anne Arundel
- Baltimore City
- Cecil
- Frederick
- Kent
- Prince George’s
- Somerset
- Washington
- Wicomico
The program aims to provide community-based mentoring that supports young men’s mental health, helps prevent violence, and strengthens their pathways to education and careers.
According to Laura Arnold, co-founder of Arnold Ventures, the partnership is focused on programs with proven track records. “Both ASAP and Big Brothers Big Sisters have been effective in improving the lives of young people,” she said.
The grants will support program expansion and implementation over the next four years. Past recipients of the partnership’s funding include ASSISTments, a digital math learning tool, and Saga Education, a high-dosage tutoring program.
Photo via Pixabay
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