Inside Bcf: A Podcast From The Baltimore Community Foundation

Strong, capable leadership is an essential ingredient in building great schools. Through its education investments, BCF' is focusing on five strategies to help improve school leadership and increase school effectiveness. In this 20 Minute Update, Ralph Serpe, vice president for development, discusses how BCF invests to build school leadership and effectiveness with Danista Hunte, vice president for community investment, and Jonalyn Denlinger, BCF consultant.

The BCF Board of Trustees' Investment Committee is responsible for providing oversight and management of the assets within the BCF investment portfolio. The committee is currently examining the long term investment pool with an eye toward seeking better results and moderating volatility. Join Patti Baum, investment committee chair, and Chip Morris, investment committee member, as they discuss the long term investment pool and why BCF is looking at it now. Ralph Serpe, VP, Development, will moderate.

Kevin Griffin Moreno, senior program officer at BCF, will give an update on BCF's legislative priorities for 2016. Ralph Serpe, BCF VP of Development, will moderate. After a 10 minute overview, the call is open to ques

The end of the year is a time when many people review their charitable giving plans. Join BCF's Ralph Serpe and Keisha Leverette as they share 10 tips that could help you maximize your giving while reducing potential taxes. Download our Charitable Checklist here.

Baltimore's 21st Century School Buildings Plan is a building and renovation initiative that will create improved educational environments for Baltimore City and its public school students. On Oct. 20, join BCF's Cheryl Casciani, Kevin Griffin Moreno and Ralph Serpe as they discuss 21st Century Schools, and how BCF has supported the plan.

Judy Centers are neighborhood hubs which connect children and families to services so that children are ready for school. These centers have shown significant positive results in improving school readiness in low-income children, and since 2013, BCF has invested in Judy Centers to meet its goal of helping to increase school readiness in Baltimore City to 90%. Join Cristina Lopez, who directs the Judy Center strategy at BCF, and Niki Venuti, Judy Center Coordinator at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary Middle School, as they discuss how Judy Centers are improving school readiness for thousands of children in Baltimore.

Social capital "trust among residents, strong neighborhood leaders and trusting relationships with nonprofits, schools and city agencies" is extremely important to a thriving neighborhood. Almost as tangible as housing stock or tree cover, social capital is measurable and can make the difference between a healthy neighborhood and one that struggles with crime, poverty and long-term vacancy. Jonalyn Denlinger and Dion Cartwright, who coordinate BCF's neighborhood investment programs, discuss the importance of social capital and how BCF invests in ways to build it in its two target neighborhoods: Greater Highlandtown and Reservoir Hill.  

For 15 years, Healthy Neighborhoods has helped Baltimoreans increase home values, market their communities, create high standards for property improvements, and forge strong connections among neighbors. Mark Sissman, President of Healthy Neighborhoods, joins Ralph Serpe, BCF Vice President of Development, to talk about various Healthy Neighborhoods' accomplishments and how they continue to help Baltimore neighborhoods grow.

There are hundreds of philanthropic funds at the Baltimore Community Foundation. They make grants to organizations with diverse missions, ranging from education to neighborhood organizing. With so many options, how does a non-profit interested in accessing resources at BCF navigate the myriad donors who are making grants each year? Knowing who to contact is the first step. Join Ralph Serpe, Vice President of Development, Keisha Leverette, Campaign Director, and Jesse Cowling, Donor Services Officer, as they discuss the best way for organizations to successfully navigate BCF's donor network.

Senior Program Officer Kevin Griffin Moreno will provide an update on The Fund for Rebuilding Baltimore, created by BCF in the wake of the recent unrest to repair the physical and emotional damage that has been done and strengthen our community for the future.   

This month's call focuses on how BCF's work in neighborhoods and education overlaps with Baltimore City's Sustainability Plan, particularly efforts toward green schools. On the call: BCF Director of Neighborhood Sustainability Cheryl Casciani, who also serves as chair of the Baltimore City Commission on Sustainability and on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.

BCF's Middle Grades Partnership forges relationships between public and private school communities to serve academically promising Baltimore middle school youth. MGP prepares those students both academically and experientially to enter and excel in the city's most challenging high schools. This nationally recognized partnership model delivers benefits not only to its students, but also to the participating teachers and their entire school communities. Join BCF's Ralph Serpe for a 10 minute interview with MGP's Executive Director Wendy Samet and Board Chair Chuck Tildon followed by 10 minutes of your questions.

Join BCF Program Officer Jonalyn Denlinger and Baltimore City Schools' Manager of School Effectiveness Reviews Paige Isaacson for a 10-minute update on school effectiveness, one of BCF's education priorities. The School Effectiveness Review (SER) tool is used to analyze each individual school objectively, gauging progress and offering guideposts for future direction. Join us to learn about SERs and how school leaders are using them to chart their course. The update will be followed by 10 minutes for your questions.

From the "Rate Your Ride" campaign to the Red Line, the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance (CMTA) supports projects to improve Baltimore's transportation options. Join BCF's Ralph Serpe for a 10-minute interview with CMTA's Executive Director Brian O'Malley followed by 10 minutes for your questions.