Programs and Impact

As the Open Society Foundations’ U. S. Programs only field office, Open Society Institute-Baltimore focuses on the root causes of three intertwined problems in our city and state: drug addiction, an over-reliance on incarceration, and obstacles that impede youth in succeeding inside and out of the classroom. We also support a growing corps of social entrepreneurs committed to underserved populations in Baltimore. Before we make a single grant, we analyze the root causes of a problem and examine research and innovative practices. Because we aim for lasting, sustainable solutions, we engage public and private partners from the start. It is only then, with a clear picture of the problem, that we begin to focus our approach and diligently craft a roadmap for change.

Our Programs

	Education and Youth Development The Education and Youth Development program aims to ensure that all of Baltimore’s children grow to be successful workers, engaged, informed citizens, and supportive family and community members.
	Criminal and Juvenile Justice The Criminal and Juvenile Justice program works to reduce the overuse of incarceration and its social and economic costs and to promote justice systems that are fair, are used as a last resort, and offer second chances.
	Addiction and Health Equity The Addiction and Health Equity program works to increase access to high quality drug addiction treatment for Baltimore residents, especially the uninsured and underinsured. Recognizing that addiction is a chronic disease, the program aims to insure addiction treatment is integrated into the public health care system.
	Baltimore Community Fellows The Baltimore Community Fellowships program works to meet the challenges facing Baltimore’s most needy communities by identifying and supporting social innovators of unusual promise and providing them with the ingredients to ensure their ideas have a stable foundation and long-term viability.