Dear OSI-Baltimore Partner, I am writing as a native of Baltimore and a lover and champion of her people. I am writing to you as someone who has publicly and privately celebrated your efforts to serve our community. I am writing to let you know that, as a part of a strategic revisioning, the Open […]
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A Message From OSI-Baltimore: Seeding the Future of Social Justice Philanthropy
Thursday, February 16, 2023 -
OSF to close OSI-Baltimore after 25 years; will invest $20 million to seed the future of social justice philanthropy
Thursday, February 16, 2023The Open Society Foundations announced today that later this year it will close Open Society Institute-Baltimore, which has operated locally for 25 years, advancing criminal justice reform, civic engagement, health equity, restorative practices, economic justice, overdose prevention strategies, and other impactful progressive initiatives in Baltimore and the region. In partnership with the leadership of Open […]
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OSI-Baltimore invests in community-based storytelling, including Baltimore Beat and police reform documentary
Tuesday, August 23, 2022BALTIMORE—Open Society Institute-Baltimore, the only US field office of Open Society Foundations, will invest in Black-led newspaper the Baltimore Beat and police reform documentary Breaking the Blue Wall, as part of an emerging effort to radically shift local and national narratives about Baltimore, our leaders, our movements, and our communities. “A key part of OSI-Baltimore’s […]
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OSI-Baltimore hiring for two positions, taking on new role within Open Society Foundations
Friday, August 05, 2022Over the past year, Open Society Foundations has undergone a global transformation to empower local changemakers, reinforcing the organization’s original premise that “the people closest to the problem are best suited to define the solution.” As part of that transformation, Open Society-US (OS-US) has re-shaped its structure to create and strengthen a multi-racial, pro-democracy alliance […]
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OSI releases report on efforts to improve healthcare for opioid users
Tuesday, July 19, 2022OSI-Baltimore is proud to release a report that summarizes our work with several local hospitals over the last several years, to explore ways to divert opioid users from Emergency Departments and toward more long-term, holistic care. The report, “Hospital Innovations to Reduce Emergency Department Utilization Among People with Opioid Use Disorder,” is part of the OSI-Baltimore […]
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Open Society, Baltimore City to highlight some of North America’s most innovative approaches to trauma-responsive care
Tuesday, March 01, 2022BALTIMORE—On Thursday, March 3, policymakers, educators, and community leaders from around North America will join Baltimore’s virtual Healing City Summit to share innovative efforts to promote healing, trauma-responsive care, and violence prevention initiatives in their communities. The sessions will be live-streamed on the Healing City Baltimore Facebook page. The Healing City Summit is a week-long […]
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People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland to announce legislative priorities, including legalizing cannabis and broadening expungement
Tuesday, January 18, 2022ANNAPOLIS—On Wednesday, the People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland will hold a virtual press conference, open to the public, to announce its priorities for the 2022 legislative session. When: Wednesday, January 19 at 10am Link to Register: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwof-utrjouH9eQwbiL-MOlxCQJqYJkRR3R Speakers (others TBD): Jeremy LaMaster, Executive Director, FreeState Justice (Bodily Autonomy working group) Thomas Higdon, Senior Program Manager […]
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OSI, Baltimore City Health Department launch new web portal to support ongoing vaccine outreach
Tuesday, November 16, 2021Baltimore, Md. — Open Society Institute-Baltimore and the Baltimore City Health Department are proud to launch BmoreVaxxed.org, a new website and set of corresponding social media accounts designed to engage and educate Baltimore City residents about the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and encourage vaccination. The new website is part of the Baltimore Equitable Vaccination Initiative (BEVI), a collaboration between […]
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People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland to release interim report on progress and next steps
Tuesday, May 18, 2021Who: Members of the People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland Working Groups What: Release of Interim Report When: May 19, 10:30 a.m. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P1gMrmPeQfeGU9GDORBlGg BALTIMORE, MD – Members of the People’s Commission to Decriminalize Maryland (The People’s Commission) will gather for a community forum to discuss the release of the Commission’s 2021 Interim Report and […]
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B’more Invested announces first round of grants to 10 organizations led by people of color to support restorative approaches to community safety and healing
Friday, May 14, 2021New grantmaking strategy relies on community members and funders to make decisions on grants BALTIMORE, MD – Launching an innovative approach to community-driven grantmaking, the B’more Invested initiative is awarding $1.5 million in grants to 10 nonprofit organizations that are led by people of color and involved with promising efforts to promote community safety and […]