MPN Announces Support from JPMorganChase to Expand Career Pathways in Baltimore

Maryland Philanthropy Network (MPN) is proud to announce new funding from JPMorganChase to support career pathways in Baltimore. The $2 million philanthropic capital for MPN aims to strengthen high-quality training programs and build effective public-private partnerships, helping Baltimoreans secure well-paid jobs in the growing energy and infrastructure sectors while leveraging JPMorganChase’s growing presence in the region to convene stakeholders and drive economic growth for all.

In partnership with philanthropy and the public sector, the initiative is expected to support local organizations in training 1,800 people, including by engaging groups underrepresented in the skills trades. Across these programs it is expected that 1,400 individuals will enter into full-time employment, including 300 apprenticeships and 1,100 other well-paid jobs in high-demand career paths in the construction and energy industries such as electricians, HVAC technicians, carpenters, welders, energy auditors, building automation control technicians, building operators and maintenance workers, and EV technicians and maintenance workers.

“JPMorganChase is committed to fostering economic mobility in Baltimore and helping the workforce to become ready for the future,” said Matt Muench, Executive Director, Global Philanthropy at JPMorganChase. “The skilled trades are essential for strengthening our infrastructure and energy security, and provide great careers. By expanding high-quality training programs and building effective public-private partnerships, we aim to ensure that the significant federal, state, and private investments in Baltimore translate into real career opportunities for all communities."

The philanthropic capital from JPMorganChase will support the newly established Baltimore Energy and Infrastructure Workforce Coalition, which aims to address barriers to employment, foster collaboration among government, business, and civic organizations, and advance a shared job-quality agenda.

“This investment in Baltimore City is a pivotal step toward building the next generation of skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen. We are incredibly grateful for partners like JPMorganChase and the Maryland Philanthropy Network, whose collaboration and commitment make this work possible. Through the Baltimore Energy and Infrastructure Workforce Coalition, we are equipping Baltimore City residents with critical skills that lead to sustainable careers while strengthening our local economy. By leveraging our resources and longstanding dedication to community engagement, we are driving meaningful impact and expanding economic opportunities for our residents,” said MacKenzie Garvin, Esq., Director, Mayor’s Office of Employment Development.

“It’s critical that we upgrade our country’s infrastructure, and yet companies are struggling to hire enough employees while at the same time so many people long for good job opportunities,” said Rachel Korberg, Executive Director and co-founder, Families and Workers Fund. “We are honored to support the Maryland Philanthropy Network's collaborative effort to address these challenges and deliver a win-win for workers, communities, business, and government."

"Today, we celebrate the incredible coalition of partners in the Baltimore area, all dedicated to connecting local residents to high-quality, well-paying careers in the region’s growing energy and infrastructure sectors,” said Linda Dworak, Director of the Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative. “With investments in projects such as the Frederick Douglass Amtrak tunnel, the future reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and a number of other current and projected infrastructure and energy projects in the Baltimore region, it’s crucial that we have a coordinated strategy to ensure these opportunities reach every neighborhood and community. The support from JPMorganChase will be instrumental in strengthening collaboration among government, business, and nonprofit organizations to advance prosperity for everyone."

Over the next three years, the initiative announced today will focus on:

• Coordination and Collaboration among public agencies, employers, unions, and nonprofit workforce development organizations in support of training, job placement, and retention for careers in construction and infrastructure.
• Deploying flexible supportive service funds in support of individuals enrolled in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeships. A first round of barrier reduction subgrants has been awarded to Civic Works, the Construction Trades Workforce Initiative, Jane Addams Resource Corporation-Baltimore, and Maryland New Directions. These and other forthcoming awards will supplement public and private training grants and work to support effective program completion and transition into work and apprenticeship.
• Systems change and learning activities to support workforce providers, job quality improvements and worker voice.

This work will be facilitated by MPN’s Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative (BWFC), a group of private and public funders established in 2007 to support the alignment and pooling of resources around common workforce development goals and strategies. As the project evolves, model supportive service delivery programs, policies and practices will be tested, learned from, and adapted to achieve greater scale.

For more information about the Energy and Infrastructure Workforce Coalition, contact Elaine Carroll at ecarroll@marylandphilanthropy.org. To learn about MPN’s Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative, visit us at: https://www.marylandphilanthropy.org/baltimore-workforce-funders-collaborative

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About Maryland Philanthropy Network

Maryland Philanthropy Network is Maryland’s premier resource on philanthropy with a mission to maximize the impact of giving on community life through a growing network of diverse, informed, and effective philanthropists. Formerly known as the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, MPN was founded in 1983 to provide a forum in which philanthropic colleagues could address common problems and interests together. Today, we are a statewide membership association representing more than 100 private and community foundations, donor advised funds, giving circles, and corporations with strategic grantmaking programs. We act as an organizing backbone and convener, bringing funders and partners together to promote alignment and action around issues affecting communities across Maryland and are supported by membership dues, grants, and earned income.

About JPMorganChase in Greater Baltimore

JPMorganChase has served the Greater Baltimore community for more than 130 years. The firm has supported the placement of more than 12,000 local residents into apprenticeships, full-time, or part-time positions and the participation of more than 5,800 individuals in job training programs aligned with high-demand industries. Since 2019 the firm has committed $16.9 million in philanthropic capital to the region where it serves as the bank of choice for more than 35,000 small business clients and 574,000 consumer banking customers. To support wealth-building and economic development, JPMorganChase committed to investing $20 million in philanthropic capital and flexible, low-cost loans in Baltimore by 2027.

About JPMorganChase

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading financial services firm based in the United States of America (“U.S.”), with operations worldwide. JPMorganChase had $4.0 trillion in assets and $345 billion in stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2024. The Firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the Firm serves millions of customers in the U.S., and many of the world’s most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients globally. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.