Announcement of Ending of Basic Human Needs Affinity Group & Formation of Funders Together to End Homelessness 

Announcement of Ending of Basic Human Needs Affinity Group & Formation of Funders Together to End Homelessness 
 
10 years ago, in response to the economic recession and members’ interests, Maryland Philanthropy Network formed the Basic Human Needs Affinity Group. The group raised awareness about critical human service needs, shared information about strategies to keep vulnerable residents from falling into crisis, and attempted to foster coordination of services among providers.  While we defined basic needs as shelter, food, emergency financial assistance, and legal aid or other services that help eligible clients access public benefits, the predominant focus of the affinity group was housing and homelessness. 
 
In recognition of this focus and the desire to align funding around housing stability, Maryland Philanthropy Network members, many of whom are part of the Basic Human Needs Affinity Group decided to transform into a new group comprised of private and public funders, currently called Funders Together to End Homelessness – Baltimore.
 
The purpose of this group is to:

• Align resources behind the public funding/Resource development strategy to end homelessness in Baltimore City;
• Have forum to discuss aligned funding, leverage better, understand what funders are doing, and if there are gaps we could fill, etc.;
• Have a forum for informational sessions with the intention to inform grantmaking.

There was consensus to officially kick off this group at the turn of the new year, with quarterly meetings beginning January 25, 2019. Sara Muempfer of the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Amy Kleine of the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation have agreed to co-chair this new group.
 
We thank the Maryland Philanthropy Network members who volunteered throughout the years as (co-)chairs of the Basic Human Needs Affinity Group: Amy Kleine of the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation; Kevin Griffin Moreno formerly of the Baltimore Community Foundation; and most recently, Angie McAllister of the United Way of Central Maryland.
 
Any Maryland Philanthropy Network member who would like to connect and learn about the non-housing issues formerly covered by the Basic Human Needs Affinity Group, or if you are interested in participating in The Funders Together to End Homelessness - Baltimore Group, please contact Elisabeth Hyleck.