In a powerful example of restorative justice and community reinvestment, Harford County has awarded $554,825 in grants through Maryland’s Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF), using local cannabis tax revenue to uplift communities historically harmed by disproportionate enforcement.
The funding supports 14 grassroots programs focused on youth mentoring, education, wellness, workforce readiness, and neighborhood revitalization creating real opportunities where they’re needed most.
Among the awardees:
•$40,000 to The HOPE Center of Maryland, Inc. for feeding the community
•$69,718 to Linking All So Others Succeed for Cultivate project
•$23,800 to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for Project Z-HOPE
•$12,458 Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) for Old Post Road Elementary School student enrichment fund
•$80,000 to HCPS for Joppatowne High School & Magnolia Middle School boys boys2MEN mentoring program for students in grades 6-12.
•$25,960 to HCPS for Edgewood Middle School Striving for Greatness project
•$80,000 to Chosen Community Development Corporation for Chosen to RISE: Next Gen Entrepreneur Academy
•$24,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Harford & Cecil Counties for Up Next Work Based Learning program
•$65,455 to N-STEP: New Service Training Employment Program, Inc. for N-STEP & Hosanna School Museum: Innovating History to Inspire Harford Youth program
•$78,600 to Discovery Center at Water's Edge for afterschool STEM enrichment program
•$20,000 to the Char Hope Foundation, Inc. for Rooting for Recovery's Job Training and Workforce Development Program
•$11,600 to LIVEFORTHOMAS Foundation, Inc. for suicide awareness and prevention
•$23,234 to Felicia Hopkins/Youth Enrichment Society for Exploring the Great Outdoors of Harford County: Disconnect and Reconnect with Nature program
“This is more than a financial investment,” said County Executive Bob Cassilly. “It’s a commitment to building stronger, safer, and more productive communities—especially for our youth.”
To learn more about the CRRF and upcoming grant opportunities, visit harfordcountymd.gov/CRRF.
