Supporting our Community
In January 2022 the Baltimore Chapter Board decided to use some of its reserves over the next four years to support important work – tied to land economics – being done in our City and community by nonprofits. Share your suggestions, they are welcomed.
2022
$5,000 contribution was made to the Stop Oppressive Seizures (SOS) Fund to help Baltimore City homeowners escape the tax sale process, where they can be forced to pay usurious interest and fees, and even lose their homes, to investors over unpaid tax and water bills. February 2023, hosted a lunch program on “Addressing Tax Sale Foreclosures on Home Owners/West Side Development” featuring speakers Nneka N’namdi, Fight Blight Bmore, and Bree Jones, Parity, who created the SOS Fund.
2023
$5,000 contribution to Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm was presented during the November 2023 Annual Meeting Luncheon. July 2023 Baltimore members and guests enjoyed a lovely Summer Outing at The Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm with the founder and Executive Director Richard Francis, widely known as “Farmer Chippy.” He and his team of farmers with the youth and other community members have created an outstanding farm, farmer’s market and inspiring and effective community engagement program that is “Growing Food, Community and Vibes.”
2024
$2,500 contribution to Hope Village and $2,500 to The Compound. LAI Summer Outing was a tour of two innovative housing developments: Hope Village a 13-unit Tiny House project that offers a path to homeownership to formerly homeless, working people. Chris and Pam Wilson have been providing meals for the children of homeless families for years. Local entrepreneur and developer, Mark Sapperstein, pledged to underwrite the majority of the project’s costs. The Compound is an artist residence and workspace created through hard work, tenacity, and grant writing. The Compound constructed several Net Zero townhouses with 16 work/live studios for artists. LAI members and guests enjoyed an informative presentation, tour, and summer meal at The Compound thanks to its Founder and Board Member Nickolas Wisniewski.