
The Lockhart Vaughan Foundation directs grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in Baltimore, Maryland, focusing on improving education, the environment, and community development to achieve lasting impact in the city.
A recurring feature of Lockhart Vaughan Foundation grantmaking is the mix of Baltimore school choice, teacher support, and climate-related capital projects. The foundation gives primarily to 501(c)(3) organizations in Baltimore, with education, environment, and community development as the three main lanes. In education, it has supported school choice efforts for Baltimore students and parents, recruitment and training for instructional leaders, literacy tutoring, after-school learning, and capital improvements for schools. In environment, it backs watershed and Chesapeake Bay work, urban greening, and selected climate projects, including infrastructure tied to solar power and emissions reduction. Community development grants extend to neighborhood revitalization and technical assistance for vacant and abandoned properties, with an emphasis on mixed-income outcomes that avoid displacement. Recent grants also show support for institutions beyond Baltimore when the purpose is connected to climate or research, including Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Well Done Foundation.
Education is a steady theme. The foundation gave $60,000 to Teach for America - Baltimore to support the recruitment and training of able instructional leaders for public schools, and $50,000 to Thread Inc for cost-effective, school-based after-school programs. Literacy and reading readiness also appear in the grant record, including $50,000 to Literacy Lab for literacy tutoring in Baltimore public schools. On the school-choice side, $60,000 went to the Archdiocese of Baltimore to promote school choice for Baltimore students and parents, while $50,000 supported Children’s Scholarship Fund Baltimore for the same purpose. The environment portfolio includes $50,000 to Maryland Institute College of Art for The Shed - Jones Falls Watershed Project and $50,000 to Chesapeake Bay Foundation to improve the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed in Baltimore. Community development work included $50,000 to Baltimore Neighborhood Development Corporation for vacant and abandoned property investment.
Typical grant size sits in a fairly tight band: the 25th percentile is $15,000, the median is $20,000, and the 75th percentile is $35,000. The recent-grant record also shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including Archdiocese of Baltimore, Teach for America - Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Thread Inc, and Literacy Lab. That pattern points to ongoing support rather than one-off gifts. The foundation is a regular funder, and its active grant programs describe periodic or quarterly cycles with letter-of-intent or cover-letter entry points for new and prior grantees. Climate-change grants are partly preselected, and some environmental grants are not open to unsolicited applications.
$2.7M
$38.6M
$4.3M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $15K and $35K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$35K
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Giving is heavily concentrated in Maryland, with 84% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Baltimore is the main city in the record, including grants to Baltimore-based schools, intermediaries, and neighborhood organizations such as Baltimore Neighborhood Development Corporation, Climate Partners, and Kipp Baltimore. Annapolis appears as the location of Chesapeake Bay Foundation in multiple awards, while Washington, DC and out-of-state grantees appear when the work connects to Baltimore or climate initiatives. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation focuses on education, environment, and community development. Within education, the record includes school choice, teacher recruitment and training, literacy tutoring, after-school programs, and school capital needs. Environment grants center on Chesapeake Bay and watershed work, greening, and selected climate projects.
It is a regular funder with a median grant size of $20,000. Recent awards show repeated support to the same organizations across 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the active programs describe quarterly or periodic cycles with letter-of-intent or cover-letter entry points for applicants.
Most grants go to Maryland, and 84% of grants are made to recipients in the HQ state. Baltimore is the central place in the grant record, with most awards directed to organizations serving the city.
Yes. The active grant programs accept unsolicited applications. New applicants submit a letter of intent, while prior grantees submit a cover letter and may be invited to submit a full proposal.
Yes. The profile says it funds individuals, and the recent grants also include capital and infrastructure-related support, such as a solar panel array at Calvert School and a solar power system at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $176,522 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SOLAR ARRAY |
| WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION | WOODS HOLE, MA | $75,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT : GLIDER TRIPS TO GATHER DATA ABOUT ACIDITY OF GULF STREAM |
| THREAD INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $75,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE, SCHOOL-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| EARTHJUSTICE | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $75,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: ORPHANED OIL WELLS |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA - BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $60,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $60,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS |
| ST JAMES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT GREENING EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY |
| CHILDREN'S SCHOLARSHIP FUND BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS |
| PARITY BALTIMORE INCORPORATED | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: VACANT HOUSING INITIATIVE |
| MODERN CLASSROOMS PROJECT INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND MENTORING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| STRONG SCHOOLS MARYLAND | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: BALTIMORE CHILDREN WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A QUALITY PUBLICEDUCATION IN PRE-K - 8TH GRADE |
| CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| MARYLAND CLIMATE PARTNERS | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT : SUB GENERAL FUND |
| CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE TO IMPROVE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS WATERSHEDS |
| GENERATION180 | CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: ELECTRIFY OUR SCHOOLS MD |
| CENTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION | FAIRFAX, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| RE-BUILD METRO INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: VACANT HOUSING INITIATIVE |
| BLUE WATER BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS WATERSHEDS IN BALTIMORE |
| AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: COMMUNITY-CENTERED FOREST RESTORATION IN TWO BALTIMORE CITY PARKS |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS |
| MIDDLE GRADES PARTNERSHIP | BALTIMORE, MD | $45,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION : SUB SUMMER LEARNING |
| TNTP INC - BALTIMORE CITY TEACHING RESIDENCY | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| BRIDGES BALTIMORE INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION : SUB SUMMER LEARNING |
| CITY TEACHING ALLIANCE | BALTIMORE, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND MENTORING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | BALTIMORE, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: ORCHKIDS. SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE, SCHOOL-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| COMMUNITY LAW CENTER | BALTIMORE, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES OF GROUPS THAT ARE WORKING FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN BALTIMORE. |
| KIPP BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $40,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY | BALTIMORE, MD | $35,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: BRANCH IMPROVEMENT FUND |
| SUCCESS FOR ALL FOUNDATION | TOWSON, MD | $35,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: LITERACY INTERVENTION FOR BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOL CHILDREN |
| UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| INGENUITY PROJECT INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $35,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN BALTIMORE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS. |
| SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION | WEST HARTFORD, CT | $35,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| COLLEGEBOUND FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $35,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN BALTIMORES PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| BALTIMORE TREE TRUST INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT GREENING EFFORTS THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY |
| BUILDING STEPS | BROOKLANDVILLE, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| BALTIMORE BANNER | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM |
| LET'S GO BOYS AND GIRLS INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE, SCHOOL-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| MARYLAND ALLIANCE OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS | BALTIMORE, MD | $30,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS |
| WIDE ANGLE YOUTH MEDIA | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| SPRINGBOARD COLLABORATIVE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUB SUMMER LEARNING: LITERACY INTERVENTION FOR BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOL CHILDREN |
| NATURE SACRED | ANNAPOLIS, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT GREENING EFFORTS THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY |
| NEXT ONE UP | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| FRIENDS OF THE JONES FALLS | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE TO IMPROVE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS WATERSHEDS |
| IMENTOR | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS |
| HELPING OPPRESSED PEOPLE EXCEL HOPE BALTIMORE | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | OTHER |
| LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: EMERGENT LITERACY PROGRAM. SUPPORT CHILDHOOD LITERACY IN THE VERY EARLIEST YEARS. |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND FOUNDATION INC | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION: SUB SUMMER LEARNING: REACH TOGETHER MATH SUMMER PROGRAM |
| CENTRAL MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE | BALTIMORE, MD | $25,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE A RECORD OF ATTRACTING FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION EFFORTS |
PARK SCHOOL OF BALTIMORE INC
$176,522ENVIRONMENT: SOLAR ARRAY
ENVIRONMENT : GLIDER TRIPS TO GATHER DATA ABOUT ACIDITY OF GULF STREAM
EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE, SCHOOL-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
$75,000ENVIRONMENT: ORPHANED OIL WELLS
TEACH FOR AMERICA - BALTIMORE
$60,000EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE
$60,000EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS
ST JAMES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION INC
$50,000ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT GREENING EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY
EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS
EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING, AND MENTORING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STRONG SCHOOLS MARYLAND
$50,000EDUCATION: BALTIMORE CHILDREN WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A QUALITY PUBLICEDUCATION IN PRE-K - 8TH GRADE
MARYLAND CLIMATE PARTNERS
$50,000ENVIRONMENT : SUB GENERAL FUND
ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE TO IMPROVE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS WATERSHEDS
GENERATION180
$50,000ENVIRONMENT: ELECTRIFY OUR SCHOOLS MD
CENTER FOR CLIMATE CHANGE COMMUNICATION
$50,000ENVIRONMENT
RE-BUILD METRO INC
$50,000EDUCATION: VACANT HOUSING INITIATIVE
ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS WATERSHEDS IN BALTIMORE
AUDUBON MID-ATLANTIC
$50,000ENVIRONMENT: COMMUNITY-CENTERED FOREST RESTORATION IN TWO BALTIMORE CITY PARKS
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS
MIDDLE GRADES PARTNERSHIP
$45,000EDUCATION : SUB SUMMER LEARNING
EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EDUCATION: SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT, TRAINING AND MENTORING OF ABLE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$40,000EDUCATION: ORCHKIDS. SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE, SCHOOL-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ENHANCE THE CAPABILITIES OF GROUPS THAT ARE WORKING FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN BALTIMORE.
EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY
$35,000EDUCATION: BRANCH IMPROVEMENT FUND
EDUCATION: LITERACY INTERVENTION FOR BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOL CHILDREN
EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN BALTIMORE'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SIERRA CLUB FOUNDATION
$35,000ENVIRONMENT
EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN BALTIMORES PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT GREENING EFFORTS THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY
EDUCATION: SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT CHALLENGE MOTIVATED STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
LET'S GO BOYS AND GIRLS INC
$30,000EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE, SCHOOL-BASED AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
MARYLAND ALLIANCE OF PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS
$30,000EDUCATION: PROMOTE SCHOOL CHOICE FOR BALTIMORE STUDENTS AND PARENTS
EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
EDUCATION: SUB SUMMER LEARNING: LITERACY INTERVENTION FOR BALTIMORE CITY SCHOOL CHILDREN
NATURE SACRED
$25,000ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT GREENING EFFORTS THAT ARE VISIBLE TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY
FRIENDS OF THE JONES FALLS
$25,000ENVIRONMENT: SUPPORT EFFORTS IN BALTIMORE TO IMPROVE THE CHESAPEAKE BAY AND ITS WATERSHEDS
IMENTOR
$25,000EDUCATION: SUPPORT COST-EFFECTIVE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
HELPING OPPRESSED PEOPLE EXCEL HOPE BALTIMORE
$25,000OTHER
LIVING CLASSROOMS FOUNDATION
$25,000EDUCATION: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM
ENOCH PRATT FREE LIBRARY
$25,000EDUCATION: EMERGENT LITERACY PROGRAM. SUPPORT CHILDHOOD LITERACY IN THE VERY EARLIEST YEARS.
EDUCATION: SUB SUMMER LEARNING: REACH TOGETHER MATH SUMMER PROGRAM
CENTRAL MARYLAND TRANSPORTATION ALLIANCE
$25,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE A RECORD OF ATTRACTING FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION EFFORTS