Closing the Fiscal Year by Investing in Community Voice
As we close out our fiscal year, we are proud to reflect on a season of grantmaking that culminated in May and June, investing in the people, organizations, and ideas shaping stronger communities. Through a combination of established grant programs, a new grant program, and targeted community investments, we awarded more than $501,000 to organizations strengthening community voice.
Elevating Community Voice Through Power-Building
Through our Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund and Justice Fund grant programs, we awarded $401,000 to organizations focused on power-building, leadership development, and positive storytelling.
These investments reflect our belief that lasting change happens when communities have the opportunity to lead, advocate, and share their experiences. Across Montgomery County, our grantee partners recognize the diverse and complex experiences of community members, particularly those affected by inequality in opportunities, barriers, and outcomes.
Whether through trades programming, amplifying women-centered narratives, youth leadership, or initiatives that serve the immigrant community and LGBTQ+ population, these organizations are creating pathways for residents to engage more deeply in their communities and shape a more equitable future.
Launching Our Inaugural Maternal Health Fund
This year also marked the launch of our grant program Building Community Solutions Fund – Maternal Health, a new initiative designed to address disparities in maternal and child health outcomes.
Inspired by the statewide maternal health action plan and Montgomery County’s Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health, we launched a framework focused on:
- Increasing access to prenatal care, particularly for women of color and Latina women.
- Improving access to behavioral and mental healthcare for pregnant and postpartum parents.
- Decreasing disparities in infant and maternal mortality among women and children of color.
This fund represents an important step in our commitment to supporting healthier outcomes for all families.
Through an invitation only pilot process, we awarded $60,000 in grants to three organizations whose work aligns with one or more of the framework pillars. These organizations are advancing community-based research, advocating for policy changes that address systemic barriers, and implementing programs and services that support mothers, babies, and families.
As we begin this journey, we look forward to learning alongside our partners and exploring opportunities to deepen this work in the years ahead.
Strengthening Organizations and Community Solutions
In addition to our larger grant programs, we provided targeted investments to organizations addressing immediate needs and building long-term organizational strength.
These grants support efforts focused on food insecurity, advocacy and communications capacity, and flexible operating support. While each investment addresses a different need, all share a common goal: ensuring that community-based organizations have the resources necessary to serve, advocate, and lead effectively.
Strong organizations are essential to strong communities. By supporting both programs and organizational capacity, we aim to help our partners continue their important work and remain responsive to the people they serve.
Looking Ahead
This fall, we look forward to deepening relationships with our grantee partners, creating opportunities for learning and connection, and continuing to invest in the ideas emerging from communities across Montgomery County.
We are especially excited to bring partners together through upcoming convenings, learning opportunities, and community conversations that foster collaboration and shared progress. Our Community Action Team, that supports the implementation of the Dr. Frank E. Boston Black Justice Fund and Justice Fund serves as a reminder of this purpose annually.
The challenges facing our communities are complex, but so too is the creativity, courage, and commitment of the people working every day to address them.
Thank you to our grantee partners for the work you lead, the communities you serve, and the trust you place in us. We look forward to continuing this journey together and building on the moment of this year in the months ahead.