Community Development Initiative

The Community Development Initiative helps support our college’s strong tradition of community service and encourages studies and career opportunities in the professions that strengthen our cities and towns.

Businesses and foundations may choose from the following investment options:

Urban Scholars Program (USP): A partnership with the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, this unique program offers scholarships and a road map to employment to Baltimore City students with financial need. The program provides high school seniors who have met college admission standards an annual $10,000 scholarship for each of four years plus the opportunity to attend workshops and seminars at which they can network with local business leaders. All scholars also receive paid internships every summer. A minimum investment of $5,000 is required. A multi-year commitment is preferred.

Named Scholarships support the studies and career paths of students majoring in or with a demonstrated interest in: K-12 Education, Urban Planning, Health Care and related fields, or for activities and studies related to workforce development.

Program investors include: Allegis Group, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore Life Insurance Company, The Baltimore Sun, Batza Family Foundation, Constellation Energy/BGE, Carrollton Bank, Compass Group, Goldsmith Family Foundation, David & Barbara Hirschhorn Foundation, Lord Baltimore Corporation, M&T Bank, Meyerhoff Charitable Trust, Miles & Stockbridge, Myerberg Foundation, Proctor & Gamble Cosmetics, Provident Bank, Shawe Family Foundation, St. Paul Travelers, SunTrust Bank, UPS, Vertis, and Wachovia Bank

Investor Benefits:

• Brief profiles of students receiving scholarships provided annually
• Lead (USP) sponsors ($10,000+) will receive letters from each scholar
• Certificate indicating the organizations support workforce development for independent higher education
• Letter of thanks from each institution
• Acknowledgment in ten college annual reports
• Acknowledgement in The I-Fund’s media and annual report
• Opportunity to hire student interns and recruit from the pool of scholars (USP)
• Opportunity to assist in program planning/implementation (USP)