Join Maryland Philanthropy Network, the Abell Foundation, and the Middendorf Foundation for a joint program examining recent research on Baltimore City’s contracting, payment, and permitting processes and how delays in those processes negatively affect non-profits and the high-need communities they serve. At this briefing, you will hear from authors of the newly released Abell Report on the City’s contracting process and learn about the findings from a joint Middendorf/MPN study on the City’s permitting and grantmaking systems. The goals of the briefing are to share the scale and scope of the challenges, recommend changes, and discuss how funders can support the implementation of these changes in an effort to strengthen and support Baltimore’s non-profit sector.

Join Maryland Philanthropy Network’s Education Funders Affinity Group for a conversation about the Comprehensive Implementation Plan for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. We will explore questions around the implications of the plan for Maryland schools and ways the philanthropic community can be supportive. Members will hear from Rachel Hise, executive director of the Blueprint Accountability Implementation Board, who has extensive knowledge around plans related to the 5 pillars that undergird the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Additional AIB members who will join Rachel on the panel are Isiah “Ike” Leggett (chair) and Dr. Brit Kirwan (co-chair)

Join Maryland Philanthropy Network’s Education Funders and Prenatal to Five Affinity Groups to learn about "mixed delivery systems" of care that connect across multiple programs, providers, and settings (including public schools and community-based organizations) that can be supported with a combination of public funds and private funds. Our speakers will share possible avenues for a system of mixed delivery in Baltimore and across Maryland along with potential next steps. Space will be created for dialogue between funders about steps you can take together around early care and education.