Proudly announcing our first round of grants in our Youth Empowerment Strategic Initiative

From left to right: Students participate in out-of-school time programs that provide both career exploration and mentoring at The Be.Org, Next One Up, Baltimore SquashWise, Bridges Baltimore, and Urban Alliance – Baltimore. All photos used with permission.

The importance of family is deeply rooted in our history, purpose, and mission. Through our work, the Knott Foundation not only strengthens the community but also brings the Knott family together around that common goal. Just as opportunity opens doors and hearts, we are committed to providing pathways that empower individuals to build successful futures, fostering a spirit of gratitude and generosity that extends beyond the Foundation itself. 

Our commitment to family strengthening also extends beyond the Knott family. We seek partnerships with programs across our giving area that uphold the values of character and opportunity, working to equip young people and their families with the tools, resources, and support they need to thrive. By investing in leaders and organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to their mission and a open dedication to those they serve, we ensure that our charitable giving not only meets immediate needs but also fosters long-term success. 

Through our Youth Empowerment Initiative, our goal is to support programs and opportunities for young people that expose them to career pathways and empower them to gain enduring life skills in out-of-school time hours​.  While we recognize there are many approaches, we could take to work toward the above goal, the strategies the Foundation is concentrating on are:  

• Career Exploration: Research shows kids often lack a sense of how their work in school connects to a career pathway, and many lack essential skills to be successful in college or a career​  

• Long-term Mentoring: Evidence suggests a consistent relationship with a caring adult is the single most important ingredient to increasing the likelihood that a young person will flourish and become a productive member of society 

Today, we are pleased to announce our first round of our Youth Empowerment initiative grants, totaling more than $700,000 (payable over three years) to five Baltimore-based organizations. 

Youth Empowerment Awards: 

Baltimore SquashWise: $135,000 grant over three years ($45,000/year) to support the general operations of this squash-based, community-focused organization that provides free programming for Baltimore City middle and high school students, integrating academic skill-building, college and career planning, mentorship, and athletics to ensure youth are successful in school and life. 

The Be.Org: $75,000 grant over three years ($25,000/year) to support technology investments and other critical programming needs related to The Be.Virtual program, one of four innovative out-of-school time programs offered by this Baltimore based nonprofit working to empower Baltimore’s next generation of STEM leaders-encouraging and nurturing youth from 6th grade and beyond to live about their socially-imposed limitations. 

Bridges Baltimore: $210,000 grant over three years ($70,000/year) to support the general operations of this year-round, long-term program that provides Baltimore City Public School students and young adults with access to opportunities and resources for success in education and career pathways, while fostering connections between Baltimore’s independent and public-school students. 

Next One Up: $180,000 grant over three years ($60,000/year) to support the general operations of this holistic, comprehensive out-of-school program that fosters stability and creates lasting change for young men ages 11 to 24 in Baltimore City by ensuring they feel connected to their community, empowered to explore opportunities, prepared for challenges, and supported at every stage of their journey. 

Urban Alliance – Baltimore: $135,000 grant over three years ($45,000/year) to support the Baltimore-based general operations of this national organization, which serves high school juniors and seniors from historically underserved communities by providing evidence-based training, mentorship, and meaningful paid work experiences, equipping them with vital skills for economic independence and upward mobility. 

Participation in our strategic initiatives grantmaking is by invitation only.  We look forward to sharing what we learn from this and our other initiatives – Catholic schools and Workforce Development – over time. 

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.