Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust
The Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust (B.E.S.T.) is a public charity based in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1987, it partners with independent schools to help academically ambitious African American students with financial need from the Baltimore area access independent-school education and receive support after enrollment.
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust at a glance
In short: Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust gave $669K across 17 grants in 2025 (avg $39K), mostly in Maryland. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $668,573
- +1.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 17
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $39,328
- +1.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $39,419
- Total assets
- $13,813,030
- +5.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 17, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The available application instructions describe the student admissions process; they do not state whether B.E.S.T. accepts unsolicited grant requests.
- Contact
Mailing address: 900 E Fayette Street PO Box 1347, Baltimore, MD 21203
Phone: (410) 752-2225
Website: https://besttrust.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Paul's Schools ($71K). Together the top 10 received $498K.
Grant Size Distribution
90 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 90 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
B.E.S.T.’s stated mission focuses on students with financial need from the Baltimore area. All 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 17 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+17%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $555K (2020) to $669K (2025). In 2025 it made 17 grants totaling $669K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Paul's Schools Brooklandville, MD | SHDF, Gap Funding, Fa Gift, Emergency Funding | $70,806 |
| Bryn Mawr School Baltimore, MD | Shdf, gap funding, simms grants, fa gift, emergency funding | $67,399 |
| Park School of Baltimore Baltimore, MD | Shdf, gap funding, fa gift, simms grants, emergency funding, chick lord scholar | $56,088 |
| Friends School of Baltimore Baltimore, MD | Shdf, emergency funding, simms grants, fa gift, gap funding | $49,287 |
| The Boys' Latin School of Maryland Baltimore, MD | Shdf, gap funding, fa gift, chick lord scholar, simms grant | $48,219 |
| McDonogh School Owings Mills, MD | SHDF, Gap Funding, Chick Lord Scholar, Fa Gift | $45,517 |
| Roland Park Country School Baltimore, MD | Shdf, gap funding, chick lord scholars, fa gift, simms grant, emergency funding | $44,264 |
| Gilman School Baltimore, MD | Shdf, emergency funding, fa gift, gap funding, chick lord scholar | $44,103 |
| Maryvale Preparatory School Lutherville, MD | Shdf, fa gift, emergency funding, chick lord scholars, gap funding, simms grants | $39,419 |
| Garrison Forest School Owings Mills, MD | SHDF, Fa Gifts, Simms Grant | $33,115 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Amounts below are from the filing years shown.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,813,030 | $1,693,421 | $1,688,788 | $668,573 | 17 | $492,279 |
| 2024 | $13,140,714 | $1,687,912 | $1,731,845 | $659,897 | 17 | $405,859 |
| 2023 | $12,528,532 | $1,527,888 | $1,652,642 | $664,217 | 18 | $318,702 |
| 2022 | $12,146,241 | $1,667,462 | $1,536,684 | $571,549 | 18 | $407,290 |
| 2021 | $13,666,046 | $1,613,843 | $1,527,601 | $563,095 | 20 | $278,099 |
| 2020 | $11,413,965 | $1,642,869 | $1,514,314 | $554,952 | 17 | $361,864 |
| 2019 | $11,351,857 | $1,638,006 | $1,545,975 | $558,491 | 18 | $403,351 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
B.E.S.T.’s mission is to recruit and support academically ambitious African American students with financial need from the Baltimore area through the admissions process at its seventeen independent member schools, then position enrolled students for success through academic preparation, character and leadership development, and support programs.
The organization’s website describes admissions assistance such as application support and test-preparation workshops, as well as academic enrichment, transition workshops, leadership programs, parent support, and college-bound support. Its 2024 filing describes individualized admissions and financial-aid counseling, student and parent programs, and partnerships among Baltimore’s private and public educational leaders. The filing also says annual fund gifts to member schools support student financial aid.
Recipients listed in 2025 include independent schools. For example, Friends School of Baltimore describes itself as a Quaker school focused on preparing young people to partner with their communities and become change-makers. McDonogh School describes itself as a coeducational, college-preparatory independent school serving prekindergarten through grade 12. These are the grantees’ own descriptions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, B.E.S.T. gave 17 grants totaling $668,573. Grants ranged from $19,151 to $70,806, with a median of $39,419. The largest listed awards were $70,806 to St. Paul’s Schools, $67,399 to Bryn Mawr School, and $56,088 to Park School of Baltimore. Other listed recipients included Friends School of Baltimore ($49,287), The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland ($48,219), McDonogh School ($45,517), Roland Park Country School ($44,264), and Gilman School ($44,103).
The 2025 filing identifies purposes including school head discretionary fund support, gap funding, financial-aid gifts, emergency funding, Simms grants, and Chick Lord scholarships. B.E.S.T.’s filing says it sends schools payments and written notifications stating the intended use of grants for these purposes.
The website’s application process is for students seeking B.E.S.T. program support, not for outside organizations seeking grants. It begins with an online inquiry form, followed by preliminary academic and financial evaluation, a student assessment if criteria are met, and parent orientation for applicants invited to continue. The website says applicants should generally have an A- or above average, high-achieving standardized test scores, and be self-motivated learners, with an engaged parent committed to their academic success.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Young Karlo G as board president; Tiffani S. Collins as board vice president; John E. Schmick as board second vice president; Christopher A. Berrier as board secretary; and Craig Watson as board treasurer. It also lists Teri Alexander, David Ascione, Marina Cooper, and Malika Delancey as trustees, and Jean W. Brune as emeritus.
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust is led by Jessica Suriano, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 3 of 56 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jessica Suriano
Executive Director
Executive Director → Executvie Director, 2021
Executvie Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$120K (2019) → $159K (2025)
Young Karlo G.
Board President
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Wood
Director of Finance & Operations
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$77K (2019) → $91K (2025)
Alexander Teri
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cooper Marina
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dixon W. Boulton
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Farace David J.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holmgren Andrew B.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hughes Christopher A.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hunter David B.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hurley Cheo D.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hutchins Diane
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lagarde Douglas
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lorber Timothy J.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nespole Matthew
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paradis Daniel J.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Post Christopher J.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sadler Susan T.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shifrin Ben
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Smyth Henry Pa
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Snyder Lawrence
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Staley Anne
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stevens Randy S.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sweeney Martha H.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timken John H.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tuck Ashlee S.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kerman Nikki J.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Malfa Ereni
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Perry Joshua R.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Smith Anna L.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yerman William L.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ford Michael C.
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wolf Smith Brenda
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Yalcin Keyia
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ascione David
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Delancey Malika
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donovan Christian
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Powell Bryan D.
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Opara Olachi
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sembly Courtney M.
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Smith Joan
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trusty Edward M.
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Wise Iii Calvin
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Crystal Lee
Deputy Director
Director of Advancement → Deputy Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$95K (2019) → $115K (2025)
Berrier Christopher A.
Board Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Collins Tiffani S.
Board Vice President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Harvey Iii F. Barton
Emeritus
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Hathaway Molly M.
Emeritus
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jacks Iii Grant
Emeritus
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Owen Lee S.
Emeritus
Trustee → Emeritus, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Reid Jr Vernon A.
Emeritus
Trustee → Emeritus, 2020
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rodgers Theo C.
Emeritus
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Schmick John E.
Board Second Vice President
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Simms Stuart O.
Emeritus
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brune Jean W.
Emeritus
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Watson Craig
Board Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (22)
- Former: Blatti Caroline (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Watson Craig S. (2019–2024) — Board Treasurer
- Former: Crystal Alston (2020–2024) — Director of Advancement
- Former: Snyder Lawrence R. (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Trusty Jr Edward (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Ford Tracey H. (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Whitehead Pat (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Palmer Nancy (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Perfield David G. (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Bisgaard Dennis (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Alecia Prigden (2021) — Director of Enrollment Engagement
- Former: Micciche Matthew (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Alecia Pridgen (2019–2020) — Director of Enrollment Management
- Former: Brune Jean Waller (2019–2020) — Emeritus
- Former: Faus David C. (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Micciche Matthew W. (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Page Jr James E. (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Evins Penny B. (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Finney Redmond Cs (2019) — Emeritus
- Former: Foxworth Domonique (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Hasselbart Nikki J. (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Smith Floyd O. (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $159K, to Jessica Suriano (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust
How much does Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust give each year?
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust gave $669K across 17 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $660K across 17 grants.
What is Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's typical grant size?
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's median grant in 2025 was $39,419, and its average grant was $39,328, across 17 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust give grants?
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust gives mostly in Maryland: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (8 grants) and Owings Mills, MD (3 grants).
Does Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "SHDF, Fa Gift" (3 grants).
Who are Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's largest grantees?
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's largest 2025 grantees include St Paul's Schools ($70,806), Bryn Mawr School ($67,399) and Park School of Baltimore ($56,088), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust?
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust reported $13.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.7M.
What does Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust fund?
B.E.S.T.’s mission is to recruit and support academically ambitious African American students with financial need from the Baltimore area through the admissions process at its seventeen independent member schools, then position enrolled students for success through academic preparation, character and leadership development, and support programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust?
The available application instructions describe the student admissions process; they do not state whether B.E.S.T. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's EIN?
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1072250. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 26, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/baltimore-educational-scholarship-trust-morg_117c58abb031488ea36d80d659f2ddb7
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521072250_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/baltimore-educational-scholarship-trust-morg_117c58abb031488ea36d80d659f2ddb7},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Baltimore Educational Scholarship Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?