Bridges 2024-25 Impact & Giving Report

2024-2025

IMPACT & GIVING REPORT www.bridgesbaltimore.org

540 E Belvedere Ave, Ste. 201

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A Year in Review

4

Student Achievements

5

Program Highlights

6

Building Bridges to Careers

8

Bridges at McDonogh Launch

12

Giving Highlights

14

Staying Connected

15

Board of Trustees

16

Partners

17

Donors

18

2025-26 at a Glance

23

A note to

OUR SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS The 2024-25 year marked my 20th at Bridges. While my title has not changed, my responsibilities certainly have, and I now carry more than a touch of gray. Through it all, I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by supporters and partners who are deeply committed to the success of our students and steadfast in their support of me and our team.

This 20-year milestone has made me reflect on the many ways you have shaped our work over the last two decades. I think about the pivotal moments when your support allowed us to take big steps forward. It does not feel long ago that you helped us grow from a full-time staff of one to a full-time staff of two (and now to a team of 24). I also think about the difficult moments you’ve helped us navigate. The financial crisis of 2008 was the first of many challenges you did not allow to diminish our mission or our momentum.

I am deeply grateful for the supporters and partners who stood with Bridges (then “The Coldstream Project”) at its founding in 1993, for those who welcomed me as a 25 year-old Executive Director in 2005, and for all who continue to champion our mission today. You have helped us build something very special and important in Baltimore.

Now for the highlights of what you’ll find in this 2024-25 report: We continued to support students on their paths to college and career opportunities, and have included a piece on Bridges’ career access programming (pages 8-11).

We reached our largest student body to date – 414 Baltimore City students and 358 independent school volunteers - and launched our fourth location, Bridges at McDonogh (pages 12-13).

We welcomed three new trustees - Mia Contreras, Dr. Gayle Jordan-Randolph, and Rob Sharps.

Each brings extraordinary commitment, perspective, and skills to our work.

Thanks to your generosity, we successfully underwrote our $3.3M annual budget.

This was a tremendous year and a continuation of Bridges’ efforts to maximize its reach and impact in Baltimore – thank you for helping to make it possible.

Sincerely,

Rob Paymer Executive Director, Bridges Baltimore

A YEAR IN REVIEW 414 BALTIMORE CITY YOUTH AGES 9-23

358

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL STUDENTS

Bridges’ 13-year program provides Baltimore City youth with 1,800+ hours of year-round support to help them achieve long-term educational and professional success.

Bridges’ year-round volunteer program creates a space for independent school students to build relationships with Baltimore City students, learn about issues of access, and be part of building a more equitable society.

PROGRAM LOCATIONS 1993

Bridges at The St. Paul’s Schools

2014

Bridges at Gilman School

2022

Bridges at The Bryn Mawr School

2024

Bridges at The McDonogh School

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 100%

90%

of Bridges high school graduates went to college

71% of Bridges college entrants in 2020 and 2021 have earned degrees (64%) or are on track to graduate (7%)

of Bridges seniors graduated from high school

Theartis graduated from John Carroll High School and is now attending Randolph Macon University

Kayla graduated from Patterson High School and is now attending Morgan State University

Jazmin graduated from Towson University and is now pursuing her PhD at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill

High School Graduations

College Matriculations

College Graduations

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Milton Hershey School Baltimore City College John Carroll High School Western High School Towson High School Patterson High School Bard High School Early College Baltimore Friends School of Baltimore Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Paul Laurence Dunbar High School City Neighbors High School

Morgan State University Culinary Institute of America Randolph Macon College Harford Community College University of Maryland College Park University of Maryland Baltimore County The University of Maryland Eastern Shore McDaniel College Towson University

Community College of Baltimore County Cleveland Institute of Art Maryland Institute College of Art McDaniel College Morgan State University Penn State University Behrend Campus Towson University University of Maryland College Park University of Maryland Eastern Shore University of Richmond University of Texas at Austin University of the Arts University of Virginia Washington College

PROGRAM BALTIMORE CITY YOUTH 414 Baltimore City youth ages 9-23 received summer enrichment, school year success resources, and school placement support during 2024-2025.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

33 job shadows & internships field trips to explore careers, service, & cultural 90 community experiences middle, high school, & 114 post-high school placements hours of academic support 4,100 during the school year INDEPENDENT SCHOOL STUDENTS 358 independent high school students volunteered in yearround programming with Bridges’ elementary and middle students, and received education and training during 2024-2025.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

14,250

volunteer hours earned

50

volunteers inducted to Bridges 3+ Honor Society

10

field trips to partner elementary schools

HIGHLIGHTS

Bridges college students on a job shadow to learn about careers in science and manufacturing at Early Charm.

Middle school students hone their math skills during the Weekend Institute.

8th grade students on a field trip to learn about high school options in Baltimore.

A volunteer works one-on-one with a student to strengthen math and reading skills during the After School Program.

Independent school volunteers visit Govans Elementary to learn about one of Bridges’ partner schools in Baltimore City.

Bridges celebrates independent school volunteers inducted into the 3+ Honor Society for their dedication and service.

BUILDING BRIDGES

Bridges supports students in building career opportunities at every stage of their

Career Week Elementary/Middle School

Summer Job Placement High School

Each summer, students participate in a dedicated Career Week focused on exploring career paths through interactive sessions with professional speakers and field trips.

Rising tenth grade students gain hands-on experience through summer job placements with partner organizations across Baltimore.

Career Class High School

Career Field Trips & Speakers High School

Rising eleventh and twelfth grade students identify personal interests and strengths while exploring right-fit career paths.

Rising eleventh and twelfth grade students learn about a range of industries through weekly guest speakers and workplace visits.

TO CAREERS

awareness and accessing 13-year journey

Career Coaching Post-High School

Career Experiences Post-High School

Students build essential career skills through workshops on resumes, interviews, and professionalism, along with individualized guidance to navigate applications, refine goals, and plan next steps.

Students continue to refine their professional skills and interests through job shadows, internships, and Early Career Encounters.

Career Placement Post-High School Bridges supports alumni as they transition into meaningful early career opportunities aligned with their skills and interests.

Read more about Ciera’s (pictured here) Bridges journey on page 10.

Ciera’s Path to Engineering Ciera C. recently completed her 13-year Bridges journey. After graduating from Morgan State University’s physics program in the spring, she secured a full-time position with Northrop Grumman. As a systems engineer.

When Ciera C. joined Bridges at St. Paul’s as a fourth grader at Leith Walk Elementary/Middle School, she was a quiet student who was still building confidence in math.

Through small-group learning and individualized support during the Bridges Summer Institute, Ciera began to understand new concepts such as multiplying two-digit numbers and dividing fractions, and her confidence grew.

“Through Bridges, I was able to find my voice,” Ciera says. “I was able to start talking to people, start participating in class, especially in math.”

That early growth laid the foundation for Ciera’s future. As she advanced through middle and high school, Bridges career access programming helped her translate her academic strengths into career possibilities. When Ciera reached high school, Bridges connected her with a summer job at the Downtown Sailing Center through Baltimore’s YouthWorks program, where she learned new skills and built her confidence.

“That was my first real experience with a job,” she says. “It taught me how to show up on time, solve problems, be a leader – all the basic things you need for a career.”

As a senior at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Bridges staff connected Ciera with a Black female scientist at NASA. That mentorship was pivotal in shaping her college and career goals.

Ciera (left) poses with her colleagues at her internship with the University of San Diego.

“It was really inspiring to see a Black woman in the field,” she reflects. “She also encouraged me to pursue a degree that was more open and would give me more options for careers.”

Ciera (right) prepares a boat during her high school summer job at the Downtown Sailing Center.

Before starting at Morgan State University, Ciera completed an internship at RK&K, a Bridges career partner, where she shadowed engineers and participated in fieldwork across Baltimore City.

“That first internship set the pace for what I wanted to do in the future,” she says.

Throughout college, Ciera remained engaged with Bridges, attending career workshops, refining her resume and interview skills, and receiving continued guidance from Bridges staff as she pursued internships in Maryland and California.

Although some of Bridges’ career access programs were developed after her time as a

Ciera (right) and her Bridges peers during a college student event.

student, Ciera is excited to see how younger participants are exploring their futures. She believes that workplace visits, guest speakers, individualized support, and new opportunities, such as the Early Career Encounter program, will help Bridges students discover their interests and begin building career pathways early on.

Ciera credits Bridges’ comprehensive support, from academic preparation to career exposure and mentorship, with helping her find her path.

“Bridges has always been something that pushed me,” Ciera reflects. “And I feel like it started with that first push in elementary school.”

Bridges at McDonogh Launch The 2024-25 Bridges program year marked the first year of operation for Bridges at McDonogh, which expanded the organization’s reach to the west side of Baltimore. In its inaugural year, the program worked with 32 fourth- and fifth-grade students from five Baltimore City Public Elementary Schools in Northwest Baltimore and engaged 70 McDonogh Upper School student-volunteers. When fully realized, Bridges at McDonogh will support 180+ Baltimore City students aged 9-23 and 90 McDonogh student-volunteers annually.

Bridges at McDonogh launched in June 2024 with a five-week summer enrichment

program on McDonogh’s campus. Throughout the school year, students returned to campus weekly for after school enrichment and homework support. In addition, 5th-grade families partnered closely with Site Director George Hutchins to navigate the middle school application and admissions process.

George, a veteran Baltimore City educator with more than a decade of classroom experience and deep ties to Bridges, guided the program through its first year. A former Dean of Students for the Bridges Summer Institute, George brought insight, empathy, and steady leadership that helped ensure a strong launch and a smooth

McDonogh Head of School Dave Farace (left) visits the Bridges at McDonogh After-School Program to connect with students and Site Director George Hutchins (right).

Students and volunteers together at the 5-week Summer Institute.

A Bridges student and McDonogh volunteer work on reading skills during the After School Program.

transition into the McDonogh community.

McDonogh Head of School Dave Farrace reflects, “My confidence in Bridges as a force multiplier for good in Baltimore runs deep.

Under George's extraordinary leadership, the program empowers students to become better thinkers, writers, speakers, and people.”

more students access the program and the transformative experiences it offers McDonogh students.”

The program’s successful start was also made possible through the generous philanthropic support of a small group of donors, including the Fader family. Inspired by their shared connection to McDonogh and Bridges, the family shared that “supporting Bridges at McDonogh felt like a natural way to give back to a community that shaped our family. We’re grateful to help

Bridges at McDonogh is the organization’s fourth program location. The opening of this program marks a key step in advancing Bridges’ vision of serving 2,200 participants per year at eight locations throughout the city - a growing legacy made possible by the loyal commitment of many partners, supporters, and institutions over the last 32 years.

GIVING HIGHLIGHTS

$3,300,000

In 2024-25, Bridges Baltimore invested in student programming, staffing, operations, and impact expansion efforts. We are grateful to our donors and partners for making this possible.

250+ Foundation, corporate, & individual gifts

plus

$725,000 of in-kind support

Gifts ranged from

$5 to $1,000,000 Operational Support Facility Use

Gifts from $10 to $10,000 totaled

$244,077 REVENUE

Professional Services

Foundations (57.8%) Individuals (37.8%) Corporations (2.7%) Other Revenue Sources (1.7%)

For a full copy of Bridges Baltimore’s 2024-25 financials, please reach out to Rachel Lazo at rachel@bridgesbaltimore.org.

STAYING CONNECTED

Former participants supported Bridges in a variety of ways this year

Volunteering Adrian Phillips, a Bridges alum, spoke with high school participants about the program’s lasting impact on his journey as an educator in Baltimore City Public Schools.

Working Dakari Dawkins (left), a Bridges alum, spent his third summer teaching math during the Bridges at Gilman Summer Institute.

Philanthropic Support Caroline Ponsi (right), a former independent school volunteer, helped mobilize fellow volunteers to amplify their giving for the 2025 Summer FUN(ding) Challenge.

Career Access John Dame (left), a former independent school volunteer, met with college-aged participants to share insights on professional routines and building strong workplace relationships.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Bridges is grateful for the leadership, guidance, and support of its Board of Trustees during the 2024-25 year.

Ellen Bernard, Community Volunteer Flynn Burch, Under Armour – Director of Global Philanthropy Mia Contreras, Brown Advisory – Director of Human Resources Vickie Cosby, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield – Retired S.V.P., Medicaid and Medicare Doug Greenstein, T. Rowe Price Associates – Head of Institutional Business Development Gayle Jordan-Randolph, M.D., M.Ed. DFAPA, Community Mental Health Expert Carim Khouzami, Exelon – Executive Vice President of Transmission and Development Josh Levinson, Charm City Run – Owner Paul F. McBride, Black & Decker – Former Corporate Officer* Mark Neumann, 510 Ventures, LLC (Chair)* Rob Paymer, Bridges – Executive Director Phil Pine, Capital Educators – Program Director Lynn Rauch, Community Volunteer (Founding Chair)* Roger Schulman, Fund for Educational Excellence – CEO & President Rob Sharps, T. Rowe Price Associates – CEO & President Jim Smith, RBC Wealth Management – Retired (Former Chair) *indicates Executive Committee Members

PARTNERS In 2024-25, Bridges received approximately $725,000 of annual in-kind support from a variety of strategic partners, including facility use, operational support, and professional services. Bridges also receives inkind volunteer services such as academic tutoring and career access opportunities. To adjust the way your organization’s name appears, please contact Jillian Pinkard at jillian@bridgesbaltimore.org.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS The Bryn Mawr School Gilman School McDonogh School The St. Paul’s Schools BALTIMORE CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Abbottston Elementary Arlington Elementary Barclay Elementary Cecil Elementary Cross Country Elementary Dallas F. Nicholas Elementary Fallstaff Elementary Govans Elementary Hampden Elementary Harford Heights Elementary Leith Walk Elementary Margaret Brent Elementary Montebello Elementary Pimlico Elementary Walter P. Carter Elementary Yorkwood Elementary EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE PROVIDERS Capital Educators Loyola University Maryland

CAREER ACCESS PARTNERS &Wealth Art with a Heart Baltimore Co. Department of Health Councilwoman Phylicia Porter Baltimore Ravens BGE - Exelon Blue Water Baltimore Brown Advisory Center for Urban Families Charm City Buyers Code in the Schools Continental Realty Downtown Sailing Center Early Charm Expo, Inc. Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce Keswick MultiCare LifeBridge Health/Northwest Hospital

Martin Marietta News Nation Network OpenWorks Baltimore Joan M. Pratt, CPA & Associates RK&K Civil Engineering Del. Malcom Ruff Space Telescope Science Institute Spur Design Stepstone Group Strategic Factory UMD Medical Center Under Armour Walden School of Music Walters Art Museum Wide Angle Youth Media William Blair Youth Works

DONORS Bridges is grateful for the following donors who supported Bridges during the 2024-25 program year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025). To adjust the way your name appears, please contact Jillian Pinkard at jillian@bridgesbaltimore.org.

INDIVIDUAL DONORS Anonymous (18) Alec Alterman Cassie & David Andrzejewski Annaliese Baamonde Chloe Baier Isaac Baker & Kristina Peterson Edwardine Baroch Ellen & Ed Bernard The Bonardi Family Betsy & John Bond William & Erin Bond Lori Bourne Deborah Boyd Helen & Philip Bradbury Seth Brenzel & Malcolm Gaines James & Deborah Brown Frank Burch Flynn & Laura Burch Seldon Burns Angus & Dana Burton Therese Canares Kate & Bill Chambers Emily Chasney Chris Chasney Mark Christopher Allison and David Clapp Stephanie & Benjamin Coldren Mia Contreras Melissa & Jonathan Cordish James Cornblatt

Anthony & Vickie Cosby Liz & Ned Courtemanche Jesse Cross-Call Cheryl Crumpton Mira & Nick Dahan Ellen & Linwood Dame John Dame Natalie Davis Trisha & Gary Davis Clara Dawn Adriana & Anthony DeCandia Lawson & Bailey DeVries Mary Dimaio Marty Dixon The Dorrance Family Nancy and Dick Duden The Evans Family Chris & Elaine Fallon Thomas Faryniarz The Ferro Family Charitable Fund

Lori & Mark Fife Katharine Fox Amy & Sean Furlong Eduardo Gaitan Rebecca Gallagher Will Gee Tom & Jeanne Gildee Jane & Michael Glick Ann Golladay Lynn & Gillis Green Jody & Doug Greenstein Alison Greer Holly & Rand Griffin Claf & Joanne Hall Angie & Kevin Hall JM Dryden Hall Jr. Robert & Nancy Hallett Melanie Heacock Daniel Herr MD Eric Hestekin Anita Hilson

DONORS INDIVIDUAL DONORS (cont.)

Kimberly Howard Melissa Huegli Molly Jackson Peter F. Jardieu & Suzanne R. Rowe Andrew & Amy John Sara & Karim Khairallah Carim & Mara-Lee Khouzami Anna Killius Thomas & Sharon Kim Jodi & Lucas Kimmel Starr D. King-Adams Andrew Kirby Patricia & Mark Knott Jenna Kotarides Andrew & Jess Kuhn Andrea Laporte Dana Ledyard Elizabeth & Wyatt Lee Josh & Kara Levinson Lorelle Lynch MR Macgill & Ho Nam Ethan Mackay Tom & Jeannie Maddux Lauren & Collin Majev Michael & Kim Mangan Diane & Bill Marimow Julie S. Marshall Paul & Christina McBride Abby McDonnell Stephanie McDonough Amy & Hugh McGuirk Graham & Meghan McPhail Kelly & Rev. Daniel S. Meck III

Dana H. Murray Mark & Robin Neumann Caroline Niccolini Natalie & Jan Ozga Maddy Palmieri Yvette Pappoe Cheryl D. Pappy Anand Parikh Penelope Whitehead Partlow William & Nancy Patternotte Rob & Parvathy Paymer Adam Peichert Martha & Bato Pellington Nikki Pereira Terhys Persad Philip & Deborah Pine Alex Pinkard Dona R. Pinkard Roxy Pinkard Jillian & Wally Pinkard III Wally & Mary Ann Pinkard Daryl Plevy Fran Pollack-Matz Spencer S. Pollock Annie Ponsi Caroline Ponsi Melanie & Michael Ponsi Karen & Bryan Powell Cozumel Pruette David A. Ramsdell Jillian Randolph Marcy & Seamus Ray Thomas & Ann Reid Tom & Melissa Riehl Jim & Gail Riepe

Stephanie Roatis Carol & Gar Robbins Annie Rouse Jason Rowe Hilary Roxe & Christopher Thomaskutty Terry Rubenstein Mike Saewitz & Leslie Adler Jonathan Schaechter Liz & Howard Schindler Georgia Schmidt Roger Schulman Betsy & Carlton Sexton Marjorie Shapiro Barbara Shapiro Pam & Rob Sharps Shannon Shipman

DONORS INDIVIDUAL DONORS (cont.)

Jill Silbert Ryan Silverman Eva & Robert Slatkin Kelly Smith Maureen & Jim Smith III Robert F. & Claire O. Smith Tyler Smith Josie Smith Brigid Smith Henry & Elizabeth Smyth Michael & Charleen Sofia Michael & Geralyn Sola Wick & Magge Sollers The Sottak Family Virginia H. Spratley Carolan & Brian Stansky Chip Sturm John H Sutton, Jr. Marcie & Stephen Swirnow Dr. Clair A. Francomano & Mr. John L. Thorpe Mitchell Tijerina Jen & Hank Trone Payton Van Den Heuvel

Jen Viglucci Leslie & Ryan Wagner Kenneth Weeden Mr. & Mrs. E. H. Welbourn, III Denise Wheatley-Rowe The Wilhelm Family Crickett & Brad Woloson Stuart Younger

Foundation & Corporation Donors Arbor Dog Foundation, Inc. The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore Baltimore Ravens The Hannah & Ryan Barry Memorial Foundation Herbert Bearman Foundation, Inc. BGE - Exelon The Stephen & Renee Bisciotti Foundation Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation Brown Advisory Clayton Baker Trust Cooper Wingard Fund The Charles Crane Family Foundation

Charm City Run Cromwell Builders Diamondback Brewing Company The Judi and Steven B. Fader Family Foundation Good Hope Foundation Samuel G. & Margaret A. Gorn Foundation, Inc. The Hackerman Foundation Hayford Builders David & Barbara B. Hirschhorn Foundation The Stephon A. Jackson & Debra Clawson-Jackson Family Fund Kentfields Foundation Marion I. & Henry J. Knott Foundation Bernice Levinson Fund The Linehan Family Foundation Live Give Run Foundation, Inc. Lockhart Vaughan Foundation, Inc. M&T Charitable Foundation J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation The National Aquarium The Richman Foundation The Rothschild Charitable Foundation, Inc. Schoenfeld Insurance Associates

DONORS Foundation & Corporation Donors (cont.)

The Shaeffer Wealth Advisory Group Sherman Family Foundation The Jean & Sidney Silber Family Donor Advised Fund T. Rowe Price Foundation, Inc. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. William Blair Thomas Wilson Foundation

TRIBUTE DONORS In Honor of Kayla Adams Starr D. King-Adams In Honor of Judd Anderson The Dorrance Family In Honor of Bachelors Cotillon Seldon Burns Clara Dawn Abby McDonnell Caroline Niccolini Georgia Schmidt Josie Smith In Honor of Victoria Brown The Dorrance Family In Honor of Ellen & Ed Bernard Jim & Gail Riepe In Honor of Lucie Goldberg The Bryn Mawr School

In Honor of Birdie Lazo Nancy and Dick Duden In Honor of Rob Paymer Seth Brenzel & Malcolm Gaines Thomas & Ann Reid Eva & Robert Slatkin In Honor of Josephine H. Smith Mr. & Mrs. E. H. Welbourn, III In Honor of Emily Thorpe Dr. Clair A. Francomano & Mr. John L. Thorpe In Honor of R. Debi Wechsler Chizuk Amuno Congregation In Memory of Larry Chambers Cassie & David Andrzejewski In Memory of Brendan Gieron Anonymous (2) Annaliese Baamonde Edwardine Baroch Deborah Boyd Therese Canares Mark Christopher Evans Family Thomas Faryniarz The Ferro Family Charitable Fund Rebecca Gallagher Ann Golladay Anna Killius Stephanie McDonough

Annie Rouse Shannon Shipman Brigid Smith In Memory of Edward J. Lettieri Adriana & Anthony DeCandia In Memory of Junius Randolph II Anonymous (6) The Bonardi Family Chris Chasney Eduardo Gaitan Eric Hestekin Lorelle Lynch Maddy Palmieri Nikki Pereira Terhys Persad Daryl Plevy Caroline Ponsi Jillian Randolph Stephanie Roatis Mitchell Tijerina Kenneth Weeden Denise Wheatley-Rowe In Memory of Griffin Samuel Welsh Amy & Hugh McGuirk

2025-26 AT A GLANCE BRIDGES IS CURRENTLY SERVING 871 PARTICIPANTS.

485 BALTIMORE CITY YOUTH AGES 9-23

4

386

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL STUDENTS

PROGRAM LOCATIONS

Bridges at The St. Paul’s Schools (est. 1993) Bridges at Gilman School (est. 2014) Bridges at The Bryn Mawr School (est. 2022) Bridges at McDonogh School (est. 2024)

ORGA NIZ AT I

S E I T I L R A O IDENTIFYING I N O PR FIFTH LOCATION

Agreeing to the next Bridges program location

EXPANDING CAREER ACCESS Offering new career exploration opportunities for high school and college students

PREPARING TO SCALE Preparing our technology operations and finances for sustainable growth

2024-25 Impact & Giving Report

@bridgesbaltimore www.bridgesbaltimore.org

Bridges is committed to the long-term success of Baltimore City youth and to life-changing opportunities for independent school students