Special Opportunities Program
Our InitiativesThe Special Opportunities Program allows OSI–Baltimore to make occasional grants outside its usual target areas that further its mission. For example, a grant to WYPR helped develop a local news department and underwrite “Just Words”, a weekly show that highlighted justice issues relevant to the region. Another grantee, the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers, received support for its Neighborhood Indicators Alliance, an information system that helps community groups access data about their neighborhoods and use it to improve local policymaking.
In addition to the Special Opportunities Program, OSI-Baltimore occasionally has the opportunity to bring additional resources—both expertise and funding—to Baltimore. In 2009, for example, George Soros gave OSI-Baltimore an additional $5.5 million to help Baltimore residents who have been particularly hurt by the recession and to create an alliance of grantees to monitor stimulus spending. OSI-Baltimore spent $4.5 million in 2009 and will allocate the remaining funds over the course of 2010.
