Baltimore City depends on nonprofits to provide services, particularly in Black and low-income communities. A reliable contract with the city can allow a nonprofit to expand, serve more residents, and build the employment base of the city. However, longstanding delays in contracting and payment of city partners leave some non­profits asking if the barriers to accessing city funding are worth the effort. This Abell Report asks what causes the delays in the City's contracting process with nonprofits and how can those delays be fixed?

The National Fund for Workforce Solutions knows the most effective solutions start with the people closest to the work. The Baltimore Workforce Funders Collaborative (BWFC) at Maryland Philanthropy Network is a powerful example of what’s possible when workforce solutions are rooted in community. During a recent visit, BWFC hosted the National Fund's Board of Directors and staff team for a day that showcased their deep relationships and bold worker-centered approach. From listening and learning to seeing workforce programs in action, it was clear how important deep community relationships are to the success of BWFC’s efforts to reshape the future of work in Baltimore.