The Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation is pleased to announce $1,178,345 in grants to 15 organizations serving communities across the Archdiocese of Baltimore through our October 2026 grant cycle. 

These investments reflect the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Catholic communities, expanding educational opportunities, improving access to health care, and supporting individuals and families facing economic hardship. 

Through our General Grant Fund, twelve organizations received $658,345 to advance programs and projects in Catholic activities, education, health care, and human services. An additional $520,000 in multi-year funding was awarded to three organizations through our Strategic Workforce Development Initiative, supporting innovative approaches to helping Marylanders overcome barriers to employment and build pathways toward economic stability. 

Together, these grants reflect the many ways local organizations are strengthening our communities, expanding access to essential resources, and creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. 

 

General Fund Grants 

Catholic Activities: 

St. Andrew by the Bay – $12,345 to install accessible doors both on the interior and exterior of this Anne Arundel County Catholic church to help ensure all parishioners can easily access services.  

 

Education: 

Hope Ignites Baltimore – $75,000 to support the operations of this residential and out-of-school time program in Baltimore, serving academically motivated middle and high school students, helping them to become well-educated and prepared for college, careers, and life. 

Mercy High School – $86,000 to support technology, infrastructure, and security upgrades at this independent Catholic college-preparatory high school for girls in northern Baltimore City.  

Saint Frances Academy – $100,000 in support of the purchase and installation of new bleachers for the heavily used auditorium and gymnasium at this independent Catholic middle/high school in Baltimore City, which is the oldest, continually operating, historically African American educational institution in the United States.  

St. Francis Neighborhood Center – $50,000 to support the Power Project, the free afterschool program of this Baltimore City nonprofit, which offers homework help along with mentoring and counselling.  

Sacred Heart of School of Glyndon – $75,000 to replace the playground at this Baltimore County Catholic school serving grades pre-K through 8.  

Sisters Academy – $60,000 to help support needed electrical, plumbing, and mechanical repairs at this Baltimore City independent tuition-free Catholic School serving grades 5-8.  

 

Health Care: 

Shepherd’s Clinic – $40,000 to support the general operations of this holistic medical clinic, providing a full continuum of health care to uninsured adults in northeastern Baltimore City. 

 

Human Services: 

Baltimore Station – $40,000 to help support the renovation of the first transitional housing program for women from this Baltimore City organization which serves to homeless veterans in the area.  

Helping Up Mission – $65,000 to support the general operations of the Spiritual Recovery Program’s workforce initiative, a key component of this Baltimore City-based organization’s work assisting men and women fighting addiction and homelessness get their lives back. 

The Light House – $25,000 to support the Workforce Development Pathways program at this Annapolis homeless services organization which helps people facing barriers to work transition towards employment.  

Supporting Older Adults through Resources (SOAR) – $25,000 in support of the operations of this Frederick organization which helps support the area’s growing low-income senior population by addressing issues like food and housing insecurity.  

 

Strategic Workforce Development 

Access to meaningful, sustainable employment is essential to the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Yet the path to employment is not always straightforward. Childcare shortages, unresolved legal issues, and limited access to training can prevent individuals from securing and maintaining quality jobs. 

Through our Strategic Workforce Development Initiative, the Foundation invests in organizations working to address these challenges, equipping adults with the skills, resources, and support needed to obtain and retain quality employment. 

The Family Tree – $250,000 (over three years)  

To expand Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care (GOFCC), a program helping Baltimore City residents establish and sustain licensed, home-based childcare businesses. 

The program addresses two interconnected workforce challenges: creating entrepreneurial opportunities for aspiring childcare providers while increasing access to childcare for working families. Since launching in 2022, GOFCC has helped participants establish new licensed programs and expand the availability of childcare in underserved Baltimore neighborhoods. 

Foundation funding will help provide dedicated business coaching, giving participants individualized guidance in financial management, budgeting, marketing, and other essential skills needed to build sustainable small businesses. Over three years, the expanded coaching program aims to support 45 providers and strengthen access to approximately 360 childcare slots for Baltimore families. 

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service – $90,000 (over three years)  

To support the Workforce Development Project, which helps job seekers overcome legal barriers that can prevent them from securing employment, even after successfully completing workforce training. 

An estimated 1 in 4.6 Maryland adults has an arrest or conviction history that can appear on a background check, creating significant barriers to employment and economic mobility. Although many records are legally eligible for expungement, navigating the process without legal assistance can be prohibitively difficult. Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service addresses this challenge by partnering directly with local workforce training organizations to provide free legal assistance, including criminal record expungement, debt resolution, and housing-related matters. 

With a small, dedicated team working alongside approximately a dozen workforce training partners, the program has helped an estimated 4,000 individuals address criminal record barriers since its inception. By removing obstacles that job training alone cannot resolve, MVLS helps ensure participants have a meaningful opportunity to put their new skills to work, secure employment, and build lasting economic stability. 

National Museum of Railroad History and Innovation – $180,000 (over three years)  

To support Restore Baltimore, a paid workforce training program that prepares unemployed and underemployed Baltimore City residents for careers in historic restoration, skilled trades, and railroad operations. 

Through hands-on training and the restoration of historic railroad equipment, participants develop practical skills, gain work experience, and pursue industry-recognized credentials. The program also provides supportive services to help participants navigate barriers to employment and transition into new career opportunities. 

By connecting the preservation of Baltimore’s industrial heritage with workforce training, Restore Baltimore creates opportunities for residents to develop valuable skills while contributing to the restoration of an important part of the city’s history. 

 

For a complete description of the program, please visit our Strategic Initiatives webpage.  And to read more about the Foundation’s journey to develop these initiatives, click here.