ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore announced the recipients of the first grants under Maryland’s Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) initiative. This innovative program seeks to address child poverty by investing $13.1 million across 27 entities in 12 counties. Part of a historic $20 million funding commitment, these grants aim to foster community-driven solutions to systemic poverty challenges.
“We know that there are many root causes of child poverty – and the solutions are unique to the challenges on the ground,” said Gov. Moore. “So we are directly partnering in the work to create safe and thriving communities; support healthy and economically secure families; and ensure access to high-quality education. Because partnership produces progress – and nothing else does.”
Comprehensive Community Collaboration
The ENOUGH initiative brings together diverse organizations, from local governments and schools to community-based groups and nonprofits. These entities will work collaboratively with public and private sector partners to develop sustainable strategies for eradicating child poverty.
“ENOUGH brings together government, philanthropy, and community in an effort to build meaningful partnerships to address the critical challenges faced by too many families across the state,” said Special Secretary Carmel Martin of the Governor’s Office for Children. “Governor Moore made clear his vision to leave no one behind, and the Governor’s Office for Children is thrilled to work with the Children’s Cabinet to ensure an all-of-government approach to providing support and resources.”
Rigorous Selection Process
Grant recipients were selected through a competitive application process, scored on criteria such as community engagement, partnership coordination, governance structure, feasibility, and sustainability. Among the awardees are Cherry Hill Strong in Baltimore City and San Mar Family & Community Services in Hagerstown, which will each receive approximately $3 million for implementation efforts.
“Child poverty is a public policy choice,” said Geoffrey Canada, founder of the Harlem Children’s Zone and the William Julius Wilson Institute. “Today’s announcement marks a major milestone in the fight against child poverty… Maryland’s children cannot afford to wait.”
Three Phased Approach
The ENOUGH initiative’s grants fall under three development tracks, each designed to build capacity, create actionable plans, and implement evidence-based strategies.
1. Partnership Development: Local Management Boards will distribute $5 million to help grantees build capacity for place-based work, strengthen community engagement, and foster partnerships in critical sectors such as education, housing, and workforce development.
2. Plan Development: Communities will receive $300,000 each to conduct asset mapping, assess local needs, and draft neighborhood-specific action plans.
3. Implementation: Awardees will execute approved strategies, focusing on three ENOUGH pillars—cradle-to-career education, economically secure families, and thriving communities. They will also develop plans to sustain and expand their efforts through additional funding.
Local Leaders Applaud Effort
The ENOUGH initiative has drawn praise from community leaders and stakeholders across the state.
“This award will support implementation of the community’s plan for transformation,” said Zeevelle Nottingham-Lemon, Executive Director of Cherry Hill Strong. “Most importantly, it allows us to do this work in a way that is true to our values. We will center Cherry Hill residents—working together to make sure neighbors are not displaced as the community improves.”
Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater emphasized the initiative’s potential to drive systemic change. “By giving us better tools to fight concentrated poverty, the ENOUGH initiative will take us one step closer to making that vision a reality for all of our residents.”
Baltimore City Councilwoman Phylicia Porter celebrated the inclusion of organizations like South Baltimore Community Land Trust and Park Heights Renaissance. “These funds will fuel our continued work to create safer, stronger, and more resilient neighborhoods. Together, we are turning pain into progress.”
Selected Awardees
Implementation Grants ($3 million):
- Cherry Hill Strong (Baltimore City)
- Park Heights Renaissance Inc. (Baltimore City)
- San Mar Family & Community Services (Hagerstown)
Plan Development Grants ($300,000):
- Anne Arundel Partnership for Children, Youth and Families
- Elev8 Baltimore, Inc.
- Frederick County Local Management Board
- Latin American Youth Center (Prince George’s County)
Partnership Development Grants ($65,000):
- One Annapolis, Inc.
- Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council
- Community Assistance Network (Baltimore County)
A Commitment to Long-Term Impact
As the initiative launches in January, grantees will receive support from the Governor’s Office for Children and technical assistance from state agencies. Efforts will focus on breaking cycles of poverty through locally tailored solutions.
“This amazing grant opportunity recognizes the unique needs facing diverse communities, such as our rural neighborhoods in Hagerstown, Maryland,” said Keith Fanjoy, CEO of San Mar Family & Community Services. “Today is about recognizing the quiet persistence and grit of parents who every day work to open doors of opportunity for their children.”
For more details on the ENOUGH initiative, visit www.goc.maryland.gov.
