BUILD Baltimore

Likening the bottle tax hike to “a bake sale,” Stokes defies crowd Advocates say crumbling city schools should get the millions tax could leverage.

Terra — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:57:10 +0000

Click here to read The Baltimore Brew’s coverage of the Baltimore Education Coalitions rally at the War Memorial Building.

Lawmakers Back In Annapolis For Special Session To Close Budget Hole

Terra — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:55:20 +0000

Click here to view WJZ’s coverage of the Special Session in Annapolis and the Baltimore Education Coalitions Rally at the War Memorial Building.

Stokes Says He’s Keeping ‘Bottle Tax’ Alive

Terra — Tue, 15 May 2012 17:51:08 +0000

Click here to view The Patch’s coverage of the Baltimore Education Coalitions Rally at the War Memorial Building.

Building Community Power through Clean Energy

Terra — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:18:21 +0000

BUILD is a proud organizing partner of the Community Power Project, which offers community members cleaner and more affordable energy choices. In partnership with Groundswell, and other membership organizations of the Metro Industrial Areas Foundation, more than 100 faith institutions, community nonprofits and labor groups, have been brought together to bargain for lower energy rates and broader community benefits like wind power.

By pooling our purchasing power, we entice energy suppliers to offer bids that are lower than any of the rates an institution could secure as a single purchaser in market. Together, we’ve purchased nearly $5 million worth of electricity as a group. Nearly 90 percent of the investment is tied to clean electricity. Most participants chose to switch to clean energy because it’s affordable. Participants saved up to 20 percent on their annual energy bills. Individual members of the participating institutions can access lower rates, too. Lowering monthly utility bills helps families channel their savings into things that really matter like their children’s education and health care needs.

Through the Community Power Project, Groundswell helps deliver meaningful savings for community organizations with strong social missions. The participating faith institutions, spanning several denominations, offer critical community service ministries that touch the lives of countless D.C. and Maryland residents in need. The purchasing group also includes nonprofits serving low-income families in the most distressed areas in the region, respected charter schools dedicated to ensuring children receive a quality education that leads them to college, and affordable housing developers.

Help us grow our market power and by expanding this opportunity. Membership organizations, community groups and building owners who would like to learn more about upcoming projects may reach Groundswell staff directly. Contact Lead Organizer for the Community Power Project Sam Witherbee at sam.witherbee@groundswell.org.

City committee hears bottle tax arguments, skips vote

Terra — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 17:33:42 +0000

Click here to read WBAL’s coverage of the Bottle Tax hearing.

Baltimore City Council Committee Hears Arguments For & Against A Bottle Tax Hike

Terra — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:52:23 +0000

Click here to read about the work done with the bottle tax legislation.

Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake pushes bottle tax increase

Terra — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:50:10 +0000

Click here to read ABC2′s coverage of the debate over the Bottle Tax

Upcoming meetings

Terra — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:18:21 +0000

Join us for the following meetings to Raise our Youth Raise our City!

April 18th – 5:00 PM City Council Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee on Bottle Taxfor School Construction. (Please meet at 4:15 outside City Hall)

April 19th – 4:00 PM City Council Education and Youth Committee Hearing on Increased Funding for After-School Programs (Please meet at 3:30 outside City Hall)

April 25th – 5:00 PM City Council Education Hearing on School Construction and Renovation (Please meet at 4:15 outside City Hall)

Grassroots Group Protests Mayor’s Proposed Cuts To After-School Programs

Terra — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:37:29 +0000

Click here to read/watch WJZ-13′s coverage of our after school funding action.

Clergy, children protest cuts to city after-school programs Rawlings-Blake had pledged to double funding during campaign

Terra — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:35:47 +0000

Click here to read/watch the Baltimore Sun’s of our action on after school funding