West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation Inc
West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation Inc. (WBRF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Baltimore, Maryland. The foundation was created in 2019 when LifeBridge Health, Inc. expanded into West Baltimore with its acquisition of Bon Secours Hospital Baltimore, Inc. (now Grace Medical Center, Inc.). Under an arrangement between LifeBridge Health and the State of Maryland, LifeBridge Health committed to invest through WBRF in key community needs including workforce development, mentoring, food access, and population health.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$45.5M
+25.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.1M
+14.5% YoY
Grant Count
62
+12.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$98K
+1.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To empower West Baltimore residents and communities through strategic investments that expand services, amenities, and opportunities that lead to a lasting impact on health and quality of life.
Vision: The West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation is a portal of health and wellness to the West Baltimore Community. The foundation takes responsibility for improving the health of the community through care management, enhancing workforce development, providing access to healthy food, and providing family support.
Primary Funding Areas:
The foundation operates within four key portfolio areas:
- Workforce Development — $1,653,322 awarded in FY 2024
- Population Health Strategies — $2,160,029 awarded in FY 2024
- Youth Mentoring Programming — $1,630,657 awarded in FY 2024
- Food Access — $518,106 awarded in FY 2024
The foundation also awards small neighborhood grants to support one-time events aligned with these portfolios.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains a grantee directory serving residents in zip codes 21223, 21229, 21217, and 21216, with grantees distributed across focus areas:
Grant Range
s:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses exclusively on West Baltimore, specifically serving residents in zip codes 21223, 21229, 21217, and 21216. The foundation also supports community-driven strategies in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Carroll County through LifeBridge Health's broader community engagement.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
FY 2024:
- Total Assets: $45,500,435
- Total Giving: $6,117,382
- Annual Revenue: $8,776,141
- Total Expenses: $6,613,863
FY 2023:
- 67 grants awarded totaling $5,348,896
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $45,500,435 | $36,258,035 | $21,734,087 |
| Revenue | $8,776,141 | $8,866,626 | $8,794,484 |
| Expenses | $6,613,863 | $5,784,701 | $4,908,999 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
164 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEIL MELTZER | CHAIRMAN | 1 | — |
| LESLIE SIMMONS | BOARD CHAIR (EVP & COO OF LBH) | 1 | — |
| DAVID KRAJEWSKI | TREASURER (CFO AND EVP, LBH) | 1 | — |
| JASON WEINER | SECRETARY(GEN COUN & SVP, LBH) | 1 | — |
| AMY SHLOSSMAN | PRES (PRES SHB, GMC, SVP LBH) | 1 | — |
| DANIEL BLUM | FORMER PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| KURT SOMMER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $163,899 |
| LETITIA DZIRASA MD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| EDITH GILLIARD-CANTY | COMMUNITY DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MARK MARTIN PHD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SR MARY SHIMO | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHARLES JACKSON | HEALTH EQUITY DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CAMILE BLAKE FALL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| REBECCA ALTMAN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**The Factory Opening (May 2025):**
On May 13, 2025, the West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation officially opened The Factory: A West Baltimore Opportunity Center, a $12.5 million community-focused hub located at 5 N Calhoun St., Baltimore, Maryland 21223. The facility serves as a catalyst for community services and economic opportunity while spurring redevelopment of the historic West Baltimore Street corridor.
West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation Quarterly Newsletter - Spring 2025**The Factory Features:**
Three completed office suites
Classroom and conference room
Computer lab
Large convening space
Plans for additional office suites and a renovated commercial and teaching kitchen to support food access initiatives and social enterprises
Houses multiple nonprofit organizations and LifeBridge Health entities
**Community Engagement:**
The foundation is actively engaged on social media (Facebook and Instagram) to share community impact, programs, and events. The foundation continues to engage community leaders and respond to evolving needs identified by West Baltimore residents, including mental health support, economic development, small business support, and transportation improvements.
West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation Quarterly Newsletter - Spring 2025Contact Information
Address: 2401 W Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215-5216
Phone: 410-601-5653
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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