Venable got its start in Baltimore more than a century ago and is proud to have been a constant presence in the city since. Today the Venable Foundation further demonstrates the firm's commitment to the community by providing grants to support Baltimore nonprofits' work. As the city grapples with the aftermath of the tragic Key Bridge collapse, we're calling attention to two new organizations working toward recovery and five longstanding organizations working to make Baltimore a better place.
Spotlight: Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund
Since the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River on March 26, tragically killing six road workers, and blocking the shipping route into the Port of Baltimore, the community has sprung into action with a variety of efforts to support the people and businesses affected by the accident and ensure the continuing success of the area's economy.
The Venable Foundation is proud to have contributed $25,000 to the Baltimore Community Foundation's Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund, which was created to provide a secure place to donate funds that will go directly to the immediate and ongoing needs of the families and small business affected by the accident and the ensuing disruption to business at and around the port.
"Baltimore is Venable's birthplace. The firm and its Baltimore-based attorneys are deeply invested and involved in the community," says Robert L. Waldman, president of the Venable Foundation. "It was imperative that we provide funding to support the first responders, port workers, and other members of our community impacted by the tragedy and its long-term effects on business."
Through its donation, Venable has also joined the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance (MTBSA), a collaboration formed by the Greater Baltimore Committee to bring together businesses, organizations, and leaders committed to donating to the fund and taking additional steps to support local employees and businesses.
Additional Baltimore Grantee Profiles
- Next One Up is building Baltimore's next generation of leaders through transformative programs, resources, and long-term mentoring for Black boys and young men. In 2023 Next One Up opened its Base Camp, a 14,000-square-foot headquarters that made it possible to expand structured programming for middle and high school students to five days a week. The Venable Foundation supports Next One Up's outdoor learning, financial literacy, mental health workshops, academic enrichment, and fitness training.
- TurnAround, Inc., provides counseling and support to people affected by sexual and intimate partner violence and by human trafficking in Baltimore City and County. TurnAround also provides free legal services for cases involving civil and family law, victims' rights, and protective orders through a partnership with Maryland Legal Aid.
- ShareBaby strives to provide for Baltimore's most vulnerable babies and young children's basic needs, including diapers, formula, and clothes secured through financial and in-kind donations. The Venable Foundation supported ShareBaby's important work for the first time in 2023 and congratulates the organization on celebrating its 10th anniversary and reaching the milestone of 10,000 diapers donated in 2024.
- Baltimore Tree Trust plants trees across the city because its founders and leaders believe everyone deserves access to the clean air and cooling effect trees can provide. Venable Foundation grants have helped the Baltimore Tree Trust eliminate more concrete and plant more trees, thus improving neighborhoods and keeping their local waterways cleaner.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metropolitan Baltimore is the local chapter of a national organization that provides support groups, classes, and community education to individuals struggling with mental health, their friends, families, and other community members. NAMI also engages law enforcement through training on how to respond effectively and compassionately to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Officers are empowered to provide connections to local resources and divert them from the criminal justice system whenever possible.
2023 Venable Foundation Annual Report
Last year, the Venable Foundation awarded more than $3.8 million to 394 nonprofit organizations in all giving areas across our office locations. Read the full Venable Foundation 2023 Annual Report to learn more about the good work of our grant recipients and how we continue to support the communities in which we work and live.