Posted on November 19, 2012

Annie E. Casey Foundation Announces Partnerships for Child Well-Being in Three Cities

The Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation has announced new partnerships in three cities to support community development in low-income neighborhoods as well as programs designed to improve the well-being of children and families.

Grants of up to $150,000 a year over one to two years will be awarded to the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood, a collaborative effort of M&T Bank, the Westminster Foundation, and others; the Weinland Park Collaborative, a neighborhood partnership that includes Ohio State University, the Columbus Foundation, and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation; and the Eastside Promise Neighborhood and its Choice Neighborhood initiative, which is led by United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County and the San Antonio Housing Authority. Following the pilot phase, during which the partnerships will design, pilot, and plan for the implementation of programs and strategies, participating organizations will receive additional grants ranging from $750,000 to $1 million a year to implement and evaluate their services.

Participating organizations will adopt a two-generation approach — a key component of the Casey Foundation's efforts — by providing programs for children that support healthy development, growth, and education, combined with services for adults aimed at improving their parenting practices, job skills, and financial security.

"After more than two decades of community change work throughout the country, the Casey Foundation strongly believes that children do well when their families do well, and that families thrive when they live in supportive communities," said Ryan Chao, vice president for civic sites and community change at AECF. "We are excited to work with likeminded partners in these cities to develop a more family-focused approach to community development."