The Horizon Foundation awarded $1.8 million in grants to 63 community programs in 2018 as part of its work to improve health and wellness for people who live or work in Howard County, Md. The grants focus on advancing the Foundation’s three strategic priorities – promoting healthy kids and families, encouraging healthy aging and ensuring a more equitable community – and include a significant emphasis on local mental health. Nine organizations also received “community opportunity grants” designed to support and strengthen nonprofits to carry out their missions more effectively.
“We are building partnerships with committed organizations and people who share our vision of a Howard County where everyone has the opportunity to life a long, healthy life,” said Horizon Foundation President and CEO Nikki Highsmith Vernick. “Our community is fortunate to have many health champions in these grantees, and we look forward to their future impact.”
Since 1998, Horizon has invested nearly $50 million in community programs, including grants to more than 250 diverse organizations serving the county, from school-based programs to faith-based organizations to health care providers.
The full list of 2018 grantees, grouped by the type of grant they received, include:
Promoting Healthy Kids & Families
Alpha Foundation of Howard County: $20,000; HC DrugFree: $7,500; and Howard County Office of Children and Families: $18,000 to raise awareness, provide education and promote resources for mental health, particularly for children and youth.
A-OK Mentoring, Bet Chaverim Congregation, Bollman Bridge Elementary, Bonnie Branch Middle PTA, Bryant Woods Elementary, Building Families for Children Inc., Chinese American Parent Association of Howard County, Clarksville Middle School PTA, Clemens Crossing Elementary PTA, Conexiones Inc., Cradlerock Elementary School, Dunloggin Middle PTA, Equity4HC, Every Kid Can Cook, Fulton Elementary PTA, Hammond Elementary School PTA, Hammond Middle School PTA, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA, Howard County Autism Society, Hanover Hills Elementary, Howard High School, Laurel Woods Elementary School, Lisbon Elementary PTA, Manor Woods Elementary PTA, Marriots Ridge High PTA, Maryland Coalition of Families, Mt. Hebron High PTA, Oakland Mills Middle PTA, Oakland Mills High PTA, Patuxent Valley Middle PTA, Pointers Run Elementary, Running Brook Elementary, Stevens Forest Elementary PTA, Thomas Viaduct PTA, Wilde Lake High PTA: $17,500 total to reach students, parents and families and promote mental health education and awareness, with an emphasis on addressing signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety in youth.
Community Action Council of Howard County: $50,000 to expand behavioral health services for children ages 3-5 years old enrolled in the Head Start program.
Community Action Council of Howard County: $10,000 to continue the Eat Play Grow curriculum and teach families about healthy eating and physical activity during the summer.
Howard County Government: $100,000 to support Howard County Bikeshare in Downtown Columbia, which provides an affordable, accessible transportation option that promotes physical activity.
Howard County Health Department: $8,361 to continue providing behavioral health services to students at Wilde Lake High School and Deep Run Elementary School.
Howard County Public School System: $386,586 to expand mental health services in 28 schools so that student support teams, teachers and families can better identify students’ mental health needs and coordinate services for students within their schools – including onsite counseling with licensed mental health care providers, referrals and case management to connect with resources in the community.
Howard County Recreation and Parks: $150,000 to plan for providing more opportunities for students to engage in physical activity through expanded after-school sports programs.
Maryland State Medical Society (MedChi): $200,000 to continue to support Sugar Free Kids Maryland, a statewide coalition working to protect children from chronic disease through healthier drink options.
Encouraging Healthy Aging
Columbia Festival of the Arts: $65,000 to partner on Speak(easy) Howard outreach efforts through community arts events including a storytelling show with The Stoop Storytelling Series.
Institute for Healthcare Improvement: $145,000 to provide expert guidance and assistance to primary care and other health care professionals in Howard County so they can integrate advance care planning and end-of-life care conversations into their work with patients.
Oneness Church, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church and The Village in Howard: $6,000 total to promote advance care planning among their members in partnership with the Speak(easy) Howard campaign.
Ensuring a More Equitable Community
African American Community Roundtable: $81,000; Association of Community Services: $75,000; Equity4HC: $40,000; HopeWorks: $40,000; and Howard County Chinese School: $70,000 to strengthen organizations’ ability to advocate for racial equity in health through multiple efforts including training and education in organizing and public policy, internal assessments and coalition building.
St. John Baptist Church: $15,000 to conduct “Courageous Conversations on Race” events with people of diverse faiths in Howard County to participate in discussions about race, racism and bias.
Community Opportunity Grants
American Red Cross, Central Maryland Chapter: $20,000 to provide disaster relief including immediate shelter, nursing staff, welcome center services including help with food, clothing, showers and comfort kits and to expand mental health counseling services following the May 2018 flood in Ellicott City.
Ellicott City Partnership: $20,000 to support the health and well-being of those in the flood-affected area of Old Ellicott City, including both businesses and residents.
Girls on the Run of Central Maryland: $5,000 to develop a new strategic plan. The program uses running to inspire and motivate girls, encourage lifelong health and fitness and build confidence through accomplishment.
Howard County Branch NAACP: $9,540 to provide training opportunities for local delegates by attending the National NAACP convention in San Antonio, Tex.
Howard County Conservancy: $15,000 to develop a strategic plan.
Howard County General Hospital: $200,000 to support the hospital’s patient care pavilion and physical plant renovation.
Junior Achievement of Central Maryland: $9,500 to support programs that foster work-readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills through experiential learning for students from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League: $5,000 to produce a training event for coaches in Howard County and support the launch of a new, fun, safe and high-quality mountain biking program for students in sixth through 12th grade.
NeighborRide: $10,000 to conduct a branding and marketing assessment to help increase awareness about the organization’s work, fundraise and recruit volunteers and clients— all in support of NeighborRide’s mission to provide affordable supplemental transportation to local seniors.
Learn more about our grantmaking at thehorizonfoundation.org/grants.
