Lighting The Path - KIPP Baltimore

In the heart of West Baltimore, KIPP's unwavering commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders is more evident than ever. This year, our community has witnessed transformative achievements that underscore our shared vision: Every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities.

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About Our Fundraising Goal

The generosity of our community has been the driving force behind our ability to pursue ambitious improvements and expansions at KIPP Baltimore.

Goal$5,000,000

86% Raised $4,302,259

Pre Kindergarten Learning Spaces

To house our new Pre-Kindergarten Program for 80 students – and with the incredible early support of our partners – we renovated space on our first floor to add four pre-kindergarten classrooms (Summer 2023). Our highly qualified KIPP teachers are committed to preparing our youngest learners to enter kindergarten with the critical literacy skills, practices, and mindset necessary to succeed. This program will better equip students entering kindergarten with the prerequisite skills, competencies, and confidence to benefit from rigorous literacy instruction at or above kindergarten grade level. With the addition of PreK at KIPP, our students will benefit from support, relationships, and advocacy from the KIPP Team and Family—through our schools and alumni-supporting KIPP Forward program—for more than two decades.

Library Media Centers

We are excited to renovate two under-utilized spaces in the center of each school to serve as our new Library Media Centers. The Library Media Centers will act as learning hubs, where students can immerse themselves in books to expand on their love of reading and access resources to feed their individual passions. In addition to whole-class instructional spaces, each media center will have breakout spaces for smaller groups of students and staff to learn together, convene in a small group setting, or provide one-on-one support. Along with the construction of these new libraries, we will continue to develop and expand our best-in-class early literacy program, further ensuring that KIPP is a center of teaching and learning excellence in Baltimore City.

Updated Restroom Facilities

At KIPP Baltimore, we are committed to ensuring that our schools are safe places for every member of our community to thrive and learn, and that our facilities reflect this ideology. Without access to safe, clean, and comfortable restrooms, many students choose to avoid the facilities altogether, leading to decreased focus and potential health issues. Renovating fourteen student restrooms and three adult restroom facilities is an unambiguous signal to our students and families that we value their identities and experiences and are committed to their safety, comfort, and well-being. Our students and staff deserve an environment that contributes to their growth and development—not one that holds them back.

Our Campaign Chairs

Our resolve to light the path for our students remains steadfast. Together, we’re not just changing the landscape of education in Baltimore; we’re setting a new standard for what’s possible when a community comes together for its children.

Paige & Alyssa Davis

T. Rowe Price
Johns Hopkins Hospital

Jit Sinha

Resolve Growth Partners

Campaign Leadership

Lighting the Path: A Campaign to Transform KIPP is made possible through the tireless leadership of our community volunteers – including KIPP families, alumni, and our Board of Directors.

Helpful Links and Resources

Our resolve to light the path for our students remains steadfast. Together, we’re not just changing the landscape of education in Baltimore, we’re setting a new standard for what’s possible when a community comes together for its children. Please use the helpful links and resources below that were created in support of this campaign.

Campaign Information

Donation Information

FAQ

What is the goal of the “Lighting The Path” campaign?

The campaign aims to raise $5,000,000 to fund critical renovations at our Walbrook campus, including four new Pre-Kindergarten classrooms, two library media centers (one each for KIPP Harmony Academy and KIPP Ujima Village Academy), and updated restroom facilities, ensuring the well-resourced, affirmative, and joyful learning environment that our community deserves. With more than $3.8M already pledged, we have our goal in our sights! We hope to raise 100% of our goal within the next year.

Why were these specific facilities chosen for renovation?

Facilities were selected based on a strategic plan developed with input from our community, focusing on areas that most significantly impact our students’ educational experience and well-being.

What are the long-term impacts of this campaign on the community?

This campaign is more than an investment in infrastructure; it is a promise to our students and community. By improving our educational facilities, we are nurturing future leaders and innovators who will contribute to a cycle of ongoing success and community development in Baltimore.

Who are the leaders of the campaign?

The campaign is led by a dedicated group of community volunteer leaders – including KIPP families and alumni – and KIPP supporters, including our campaign chairs and executive committee members. Contact LightingThePath@kippbaltimore.org to learn more about how you can get involved!

How can I support the campaign?

Contributions can be made through our donation portal, available on our website. We warmly welcome gifts of all sizes, whether as one-time donations or recurring contributions! For major donors or sponsors, we offer naming opportunities and personalized recognition options. For more details, please contact us via email at LightingThePath@kippbaltimore.org.

What are the different ways to get involved besides donating?

Involvement can extend beyond financial contributions. We invite you to lend your voice as a mentor to current students or alumni, career guest speaker, or volunteer leader on our Board of Directors or a board committee. Advocating for and sharing our mission or encouraging others to get involved through your networks also greatly supports our campaign! Thank you for spreading the word about KIPP Baltimore far and wide.

Where can I view updates on the campaign’s achievements?

We regularly share updates on our website and through our campaign-specific communications. Scroll to the bottom of this page to join our contact list, or reach out to us directly via email at LightingThePath@kippbaltimore.org. Our recent Spring 2024 Campaign Report offers an in-depth look at the impact of your contributions and our progress towards our goals: Click here to access!

Whom should I contact for more details or information?

Please reach out to our campaign office at LightingThePath@kippbaltimore.org or call/text us at (443) 457-3140 with any inquiries, for additional information, or to schedule a tour of our campus and programs.

Thank You to Our Supporters!

We extend our deepest gratitude to our current donors, whose generous contributions embody the spirit of community and commitment that propels our mission forward.

Campaign Executive Committee

Kendall Brewton ‘12
Paige and Alyssa Davis
Jennifer St. Germain

Quiana Dunn-Gordon
Amy Kiesel
Shanika Paul ‘15

Marsha Reeves
Brian Riewerts & Rebecca Gilliam
Jit and Swati Sinha

Campaign Investors

The Abell Foundation
Anonymous
Brittany Ballentine ‘12
Rheda Becker & Robert E. Meyerhoff
The Blake-McDowell Family
The Blanket Fort Foundation
Kendall Brewton ‘12
Clayton-Baker Trust
Melissa and Jonathan Cordish
Cecil E. Flamer

The France-Merrick Foundation
Martha & Patrick Hastings
Lockhart Vaughan Foundation
The Manger Family Foundation
The Middendorf Foundation
Yehuda and Anne Neuberger
Offit-Kurman
Joshua Perry
Gloria & Tony Romeo
E. Curtis Rountree

Ken & Betsy Rutherford
The Sawyer Family
Charlie Scheeler & Mary Pease
The Shawe Family Foundation
The Sherman Family Foundation
Anne Swett
T. Rowe Price Associates
Hutch & Susan Vernon
Kathie and Jon Wachs

Stay Connected

If you would like to sign up for emails, updates, and newsletters related to the Lighting the Path campaign, we encourage you to do so below!