Venable Foundation Annual Report | FY2021

2021 Impact Grants Addressing Education The Venable Foundation continued its annual tradition of awarding more concentrated funding beyond the average grant size of $10,000 to address a specific need within the community. Understanding that the pandemic has exacerbated existing academic achievement gaps for students, the Foundation targeted its 2021 Impact Grants toward education recovery for students as a result of the learning disruptions caused by COVID-19 and virtual learning. The Foundation awarded $500,000 in 2021 Impact Grant funding to nine organizations providing enhanced services for school-aged youth. These grants—$100,000 in each of the firm’s five major metropolitan regions—are awarded in addition to the Foundation’s regular funding cycle. The largest Impact Grant went to Elev8 Baltimore, which partners with schools, families, and the community to ensure that every student is prepared and ready to succeed in school and life. Elev8 received $100,000 to expand its comprehensive academic tutoring program to offer full in-person tutoring interventions twice a week at five Baltimore City public schools in addition to its after-school and summer programs. In San Francisco, a $75,000 grant was awarded to the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center, which partners with the school district to support families experiencing disparities in school readiness and academic achievement to improve outcomes. Reading Partners San Francisco Bay Area received $25,000 for technology to make hybrid learning possible for students learning to read. A grant of $70,000 was awarded to Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), which provides underserved youth free after-school programs in academics, arts, and athletics, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education, and strengthen their communities. Reading Partners Los Angeles received $30,000 to expand its virtual programming and help with the costs of a hybrid/ in-person model.