published by the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods                                            Tuesday, March 6, 2012

"As we work to grow this great city, we must foster great partnerships that help the committed leaders in our community associations strengthen and beautify our neighborhoods for current residents and make new residents feel welcome," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "We are grateful to MECU for joining us to help the Neighborhood Event Grants Program touch the lives of people throughout Baltimore."

Nonprofit groups applying to receive a cash grant must be based in Baltimore City. Proposed events have to be free and open to the public. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 30, 2012 by 5:00.

Applications are available online at www.promotionandarts.com under the "Grants" tab. Required materials include a completed application, financial statement, and tax exemption documentation. Grant winners will be announced by mid-April 2012.

Recipients are obligated to send one representative from the organization to attend the Events Mandatory Workshop on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm at the MECU main office, located at 7 E. Redwood Street, 20th floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.

Open Society Institute-Baltimore Offering Baltimore Community Fellowships

This year OSI-Baltimore is accepting applications for two new fellowships in addition to the usual ten slots. The two new fellowships, sponsored by the Open Society Foundations' Campaign for Black Male Achievement, will support individuals working with black men and boys in the areas of education, family, and work. The Baltimore Community Fellowships program seeks dynamic activists and social entrepreneurs interested in implementing projects that address problems in underserved communities in Baltimore City. For fellowships beginning in the fall of 2012, awards are in the amount of $60,000 over 18 months. Application deadline is Monday, March 12, 2012. Download application

MECU Neighborhood Event Grants

Does your community dream of organizing a project like a street festival, flea market, health fair, or block party? The MECU Neighborhood Event Grants program distributes funds to qualified neighborhood associations and community-based nonprofit groups for the purpose of strengthening neighborhoods through producing special events. The application deadline is Friday, March 30. For more information on the MECU Neighborhood Event Grants, visit the website or call 410-752-8632.

Maryland Environmental Trust Environmental Grants

The Maryland Environmental Trust's Keep Maryland Beautiful Program, funded in part by the State Highway Administration, presents the Margaret Rosch Jones Award and the Bill James Environmental Grants to volunteer or non-profit groups who do environmental education projects. Applications open until March 31, 2012. Click here to download the application. Applications may also be obtained from the Maryland Environmental Trust. Contact Catherine Ford at cford@dnr.state.md.us.

Mayor Launches Clean Community Competition

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Department of Public Works challenge Baltimore City communities to get back to basics and join in tackling sanitation challenges block by block. All official community associations are invited to participate in this friendly competition. Communities will be judged on a variety of categories. Keep a scrap book for the judges, documenting your hard work and showing off your great results! Winning communities will receive cash prizes to benefit their community association and activities. The competition kicks off April 21 and runs through October 19. Winning communities will be announced at the Mayor’s Fall Clean Up on Saturday, October 27. Registration is required and ends April 9. Call 311 for more information or to register.

2012 Baltimore Citizen Survey

The annual Baltimore Citizen Survey aims to identify trends in behavior and attitudes regarding quality of life indicators and City services. Survey results will be used to inform and enhance program planning and policy development across all City agencies, to create more focused, responsive, and efficient government services. The survey randomly selects approximately 1,800 residents to complete the telephone survey. It is being conducted from April to June for 2012. There is also an online survey available that acts as a supplement to the phone survey. The online survey is an unscientific collection of responses. Take the online survey

Maryland Science Center Scholarships

The Dr. H. Bentley Glass Scholarships are awarded annually to two Baltimore City public high school students who intend to pursue post-secondary STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) studies at a two-year or four-year college or university. Each scholarship is a $1,500 non-renewable award and is intended to support the recipient’s education-related expenses. Scholarship recipients will also receive a paid summer internship at the Maryland Science Center. For more information or to apply

Community Development Project: Free Legal Advice for Nonprofits

The Community Development Project, a program of the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, provides free legal assistance to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen and revitalize low-income communities in Maryland. To receive an application, contact Blair Inniss at Blair@mvlslaw.org. For more information about the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service, visit www.mvlslaw.org.

Free Legal Services to Community Associations and Nonprofits

Community Law Center, a nonprofit law firm, provides legal services to community and nonprofit organizations throughout Maryland to promote stronger and more vibrant neighborhoods. Contact CLC if your organization needs assistance with any legal matter, ranging from drafting bylaws, incorporating, and obtaining 501(c)(3) status to representation before the zoning and liquor boards. For more information and for an application for legal services, see www.communitylaw.org.

Baltimore CASH Campaign Tax Preparation

The Baltimore CASH Campaign strives to provide working families access to the tools and services needed to maximize their earning dollars. Free services are provided to taxpayers with incomes under $50,000 and single taxpayers (no dependents) with incomes under $25,000. Come to a free tax preparation site to see what you may qualify for. Trained and certified volunteers will prepare and e-file your taxes for free, and even help you direct deposit for a faster refund. For more information

Call for Artscape Entries

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts is seeking visual and performing artists for the 31st annual Artscape, America’s largest free arts festival, scheduled for July 20-22. Arts organizations, artisans, theater and classical music companies, as well as children’s entertainers can apply. Applications are available online at www.artscape.org. Deadlines for submissions vary.

Summer Food Service Program Seeks Sites

Baltimore Housing’s Office of Community Services is pleased to offer the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Thousands of children in Baltimore rely on the meals provided at school. When schools close for the summer, children miss out on free or reduced-price meals. Through the SFSP, children can continue to receive nutritious meals while on break. The SFSP is seeking community organizations to become feeding sites. Meals are provided at no cost to the children and are prepared daily and delivered fresh to feeding locations. For more information about the 2012 Summer Food Service Program, or to become a feeding site, visit www.baltimorehousing.org/food.

Money Power Day

Saturday, March 10, 9:00 am-3:00 pm, Baltimore City College, 3220 The Alameda. Since 2005, Money Power Day has provided a fun & engaging way to help you achieve your financial dreams. Take advantage of on-site services, such as one-on-one credit counseling, tax preparation, financially-focused activities for youth, housing counseling for prospective homeowners, and so much more. Money Power Day is presented by the Baltimore CASH Campaign. For more information, visit www.moneypowerday.org or call 443-692-9488.

Baltimore Builds Workshop

Saturday, March 10, 11:00 am-12:00 pm, Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City presents this Baltimore Builds Workshop, part of Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's Vacants to Value initiative. Learn from the experts how to purchase City-owned property. Seating is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information, call 410-396-4111 or email V2V@baltimorecity.gov.

Baltimore St. Patrick's Day Parade & 5K

Sunday, March 11, Charles and Franklin Streets. Shamrock 5K race begins at 1:15 p.m. Parade starts off at 2:00 p.m. at the Washington Monument, and continues to Pratt Street and Market Place. irishparade.net

Grants 101

Monday, March 12, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm, CPHA Conference Room, 3355 Keswick Road, Suite 200. This is an Activate Your Inner Citizen Workshop, part of CPHA's free leadership training series, will focus on finding and writing small grants for your community or organization. Learn the skills needed to gain additional funding. The workshop is presented by Abby Cocke of Baltimore City's Office of Sustainability. For more information, or to register, visit cphabaltimore.org/events or call 410-539-1369 ext. 104.

Your Community . . . Your Health: A Neighborhood Meeting

(for residents of Allendale/Irvington/South Hilton, Beechfield/Ten Hills/West Hills, Dickeyville/Franklintown, Edmondson Village, Forest Park/Walbrook)

Thursday, March 22, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Edmondson-Westside High School, 501 Athol Avenue. Even more than direct medical care, the places where we live, work, learn, and play affect our health. Baltimore City neighborhoods face many public health challenges, but also opportunities to improve health. Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot and senior staff will present your 2011 Neighborhood Health profile data; listen to your concerns and ideas for change; discuss opportunities for working together to improve health, and share health education materials. Special Guest: 8th District City Councilwoman Helen L. Holton. To get your Neighborhood Health Profile, visit www.baltimorehealth.org or call 410-396-4398.

Historic Tax Credit Workshops with Baltimore Heritage

Thursday, March 22, AIA Baltimore Basement gallery, 11 1/2 West Chase Street. Baltimore Heritage's historic tax credit workshops offer a brief introduction to Maryland Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program, a 20% refundable income tax credit program for homeowners working on rehabilitation projects in designated historic districts — together with information on the Baltimore City historic tax credit for homeowners and businesses. RSVP today! Questions? Contact Eli Pousson, Field Officer at pousson@baltimoreheritage.org or 301-204-3337.

5th Annual Neighborhood Institute: Love Where You Live

Saturday, March 24, The Inn at the Colonnade, 4 West University Parkway, 9am-3pm. Greater Homewood Community Corporation sponsors a day of informative workshops. Learn what you can do to build and strengthen vibrant urban neighborhoods. Following the day's workshops, join your neighbors for a panel discussion. Cap off the evening with a special happy hour at Alizée Boutique Bistro and Wine Bar. This event is free and includes lunch, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP no later than March 17. Visit our website at www.greaterhomewood.org/neighborhoodinstitute for more information.

Your Community . . . Your Health: A Neighborhood Meeting

(for residents of Belair-Edison, Claremont/Armistead, Clifton-Berea, Madison/East End, Patterson Park North & East, Perkins/Middle East)

Thursday, March 29, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Humanim at the American Brewery, 1701 N. Gay Street . Even more than direct medical care, the places where we live, work, learn, and play affect our health. Baltimore City neighborhoods face many public health challenges, but also opportunities to improve health. Commissioner of Health Dr. Oxiris Barbot and senior staff will present your 2011 Neighborhood Health profile data; listen to your concerns and ideas for change; discuss opportunities for working together to improve health, and share health education materials. Special Guest: 13th District City Councilman Warren Branch. To get your Neighborhood Health Profile, visit www.baltimorehealth.org or call 410-396-4398.