The Claude C. Thornton Foundation June eNews
- CCTF Board
- Jun 10
- 15 min read
Updated: Jun 16
Greeting's Friends and Family,
A new month is here, bringing warmer days, fresh beginnings, and another chance to grow with love, purpose, and care. As we step into June, we also recognize Men’s Mental Health Month, a time to remind the men in our families, friendships, and communities that they are valued, supported, and never alone.
June is also a special month of reflection and celebration. Juneteenth falls on Friday this year, giving us a moment to honor freedom, history, culture, and the continued strength of our communities.
We are continuing to highlight the Clarinet Scholarship and our ongoing fundraiser to support students in financial need. Your support helps us invest in education, access, and legacy.
This month, we also have events, job opportunities, and grant opportunities for you to explore below. Be sure to stay connected with us on social media for more updates, including details about our Annual Greater Baltimore Climate Summit happening November 12th.
As always thank you for always being a part of the CCTF community.
With love and gratitude,
The CCTF Team
Highlights
Autrese Thornton Named Finalist for Baltimore County School Board Appointment
We are excited to announce that Claude C. Thornton Foundation Co-Founder and Education Director, Autrese Thornton, has been named one of three finalists submitted to Governor Wes Moore for consideration to fill the vacant at-large seat on the Baltimore County Board of Education.
This is truly great news and a meaningful recognition of Autrese’s longstanding commitment to education, leadership, special education advocacy, and community service throughout Baltimore County.
Autrese’s dedication to supporting students, families, and communities continues to make a lasting impact. We are proud to celebrate this moment and look forward to celebrating many more successes in the future.
Congratulations to Autrese on this well-deserved recognition!
Celebrating a Legacy of Youth Development
The Claude C. Thornton Foundation is proud to celebrate Autrese Thornton, recipient of The Legacy in Youth Development Award: Generations Uplifted, presented by the Family League of Baltimore.
This honor recognizes 20 years of outstanding service, leadership, and dedication to the positive development of young people in our community.
Through her work, Autrese has inspired growth, created safe spaces, uplifted youth, and helped shape a future filled with hope and opportunity.
We are excited to celebrate this powerful milestone and look forward to honoring many more years of impact, service, and community leadership.
Congratulations, Autrese Thornton, on this well-deserved recognition!
The Claude C. Thornton Foundation Continues to Build a Legacy of Educational Excellence
On May 23rd, the Claude C. Thornton Foundation proudly tabled at the Minds of Millions event, where we received in-kind donations to support our ongoing mission.
To date, the foundation has contributed over $3,000 in funding to support our partnership with Coppin State University.
Our foundation has committed $25,000, and we are asking for your continued support as we work to raise the remaining funds over the next five years.
Your donation helps us continue uplifting students, strengthening Baltimore communities, and honoring a powerful legacy of educational excellence.
We still need your support. Scan the QR code to make a donation today and help us continue this important work.
Upcoming Events
AI Readiness for Nonprofits
Taproot is hosting an upcoming webinar, “AI Readiness for Nonprofits: How Pro Bono Expertise Gets You There,” on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
This webinar will help nonprofits better understand how to approach AI responsibly and strategically with support from pro bono experts.
Please note: This is a Taproot-hosted event being shared as a community resource.
Hosted by: Taproot
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Bridging Communities Conference 2026
We are sharing an upcoming community event for nonprofit leaders, partners, and organizations across Maryland.
The Bridging Communities Conference 2026 will take place on June 30, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland.
This event is hosted by the Comptroller’s Office, in partnership with Maryland Nonprofits and the Coppin State University Nonprofit Leadership Program. Please note that this event is not hosted by our organization.
The conference will focus on building stronger partnerships between nonprofits and state government, with sessions on state funding, compliance, community development financing, and wealth-building resources.
Event Details
What: Bridging Communities Conference 2026
Date: June 30, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: J. Millard Tawes Center, Coppin State University, 2500 West North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21216
Join Us for the Third Annual Greater Baltimore Climate Summit
We are excited to welcome the community to the third annual Greater Baltimore Climate Summit, a powerful gathering focused on resilience, community, and action in the face of environmental uncertainty.
This year’s summit will feature insightful panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities designed to bring together leaders, organizations, advocates, and community members who are committed to strengthening environmental infrastructure and advancing climate solutions across Baltimore City and surrounding counties.
The Greater Baltimore Climate Summit is hosted by a committee of professionals from The Butterfly Effect, Morgan State University, Baltimore Green Space, the Maryland Department of the Environment, the HBCU Environmental Justice Technical Collaborative, and other local organizations.
Inspired by innovative climate programming and aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals, the summit aims to foster collaboration between government, academia, the private sector, and civil society.
Together, we can raise awareness, build stronger partnerships, and take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable and resilient future for Greater Baltimore.
Points of Light Conference 2026
The Points of Light Conference will take place June 22–25, 2026, in Washington, D.C. This national gathering brings together nonprofit, corporate, education, government, and civic leaders who are committed to strengthening communities through volunteerism and civic engagement.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore innovative strategies, cross-sector solutions, and global conversations focused on creating meaningful impact. This conference is a great opportunity for leaders and organizations to connect, learn, and be inspired by new approaches to service and community engagement.
Event Details
Date: June 22–25, 2026
Location: Washington, D.C.
Community Resources
Blossoms Blooming Mentorship Program
This video is just a glimpse into our annual Blossoms Brunch award ceremony, where we collectively honor community mentors who have poured into our professional, personal, and emotional growth.
The Blossoms Blooming Mentorship Program empowers young women to reach their full potential through academic and professional mentorship and etiquette training. Last year we launched our group mentoring experience, grounded in discussion topics such as mindset, relationships and partnerships, career mobility, professional opportunities, femininity and more.
We have our annual brunch coming up on February 22 so stay tuned for updates. If you would like to learn more about this mentorship program, please click this link to inquire. To keep up to date with Blossoms Blooming follow us on Instagram and/or contact us via email at cari@thecctfoundation.org for any questions or concerns.
We offer parent coaching?
Did you know we offer parent coaching? Parents play a key role in shaping their child’s success and influencing school leadership decisions. Our coaching helps you advocate with confidence, stay informed, and clearly define what matters most for your child while building strong partnerships with schools.
What to look for in strong school leaders:
Commitment to student achievement and whole-child success
Transparent and consistent communication
Long-term dedication to the district
Experience leading diverse school systems
Collaboration with teachers, staff, and families
Accountability with measurable outcomes
Respect for community voice and engagement
Ways parents can get involved:
Stay informed about superintendent search timelines and processes
Research candidates and review their experience
Attend community forums and engagement sessions
Complete surveys thoughtfully and honestly
Share your priorities with school board members and advisory groups
Start at the school level:
Connect with principals and assistant principals
Build relationships with teachers and instructional leaders
Engage with school improvement teams and advisory councils
When families and schools work together, decisions better reflect the real needs of students and communities. You’ve got this! If you would like to schedule a free coaching session with us, please use this link to schedule a session.
Parents, We’re Here for YOU!
From navigating the school system to supporting your child’s mental health and behavior, parenting comes with a lot of challenges and you don’t have to do it alone.
Led by Autrese Thornton, a multi-decade special educator, school administrator, and nonprofit manager, The Claude C. Thornton Foundation’s Parent Advocacy & Coaching Program is here to listen, guide, and empower you with the tools and resources you need.
Tell us: What areas of education, mental health, or behavior do you need the most support with?
Email us at athornton@thecctfoundation.org
Regulate your nervous system this summer with Kellan!
Kellan is more than a Parent Coach she supports Black mothers who feel stuck in survival mode, carrying the invisible weight of overwhelm, self-doubt, and emotional labor.
This 8-week program is designed to help mamas reset, regulate, and reclaim their peace.
Have questions? Email Kellan directly!
Employment Opportunities
As part of our commitment to economically supporting our community, we are excited to share these job opportunities with our network. We hope these workforce resources help you strengthen your friends, families and neighborhoods.
Launch Your Career with Purpose & Impact: Baltimore Corps Emerging Leader Fellowship
The Baltimore Corps Emerging Leader Fellowship (ELF) provides early-career professionals with opportunities to gain experience in local government, nonprofits, and growing industries facing workforce needs.
Fellows are matched with full-time, paid positions through employer partners across Baltimore City government. These opportunities are designed for motivated professionals who are ready to build leadership skills, support meaningful projects, and grow within mission-driven organizations.
Key Details
The Emerging Leader Fellowship offers early-career professionals full-time, paid placements with Baltimore City Government partners. Fellows gain hands-on experience, mentorship, career coaching, leadership training, and access to professional development opportunities.
Salary: Starting at $51,500+
Benefits: Health, vision, dental, paid time off, and additional benefits
Program Length: 12 months
Opportunities: Full-time paid placement, career coaching, leadership workshops, networking, and long-term career growth support
Location: Baltimore City Government agencies
Work Authorization: Legal U.S. work authorization required
HBCU Track | Launching Fall 2026
Open to HBCU graduates with less than 3 years of full-time professional experience
Must be available full-time for the 12-month fellowship
Application Deadline: June 21, 2026
City-Wide Track | Launching Early 2027
Open to college or university graduates with less than 3 years of full-time professional experience
Must be available full-time for the 12-month fellowship
Applications Open: Late 2026
Coppin State University is hiring a Event Assistant
Key Details
Department: Parking & Transportation Services
Category: Conference and Events Administration
Position Type: Non-Regular Fixed Term
Salary: $23.77 per hour
Open Date: June 5, 2026
Close Date: June 26, 2026
The Events Assistant will help coordinate conferences, ceremonies, meetings, campus programs, and special events. Responsibilities include event setup and breakdown, guest check-in, registration support, vendor communication, supply tracking, room setup, audiovisual coordination, catering support, signage, event materials, and post-event documentation.
Minimum Qualifications: A high school diploma or equivalent is required. An associate or bachelor’s degree is preferred. At least one year of experience in events, hospitality, customer service, or administrative operations is preferred.
Applicants should have strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills, along with the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. A flexible schedule, including weekends and holidays, is required.
Coordinator of Engagement and Service-Learning
The University of Baltimore is seeking a full-time Coordinator of Engagement and Service-Learning within Student Success and Support Services.
Salary: $55,000 – $65,000
Location: University of Baltimore
Job ID: JR101912
Priority Deadline: June 24, 2026
Status: Open until filled
Hybrid Eligible: Up to two days of telework possible
This role will support service-learning and community engagement programs by working with students, faculty, nonprofit partners, and community organizations. Responsibilities include coordinating service-learning opportunities, supporting civic engagement programs, tracking student involvement, maintaining partnerships, and assisting with events, grants, and community initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 3 years of experience in service-learning, civic engagement, student life, or a related area.
A flexible schedule, including some evenings and weekends, is required.
Explore Careers in Higher Education with Mid-Atlantic HERC
Mid-Atlantic HERC connects job seekers to a wide range of higher education opportunities across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. From faculty and leadership roles to administrative and support positions, their job board offers options for all experience levels.
They also provide helpful tools like resume support, webinars, and job alerts to guide your search. If you are looking to grow your career in higher education, this is a great place to start.
Montgomery College Energy and Sustainability Analyst
Montgomery College has an immediate need for a full-time Energy and Sustainability Analyst at the Central Services location in Rockville, Maryland. The work schedule is 40 hours a week, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. This is a Non-Bargaining, Exempt, grade 31 position. For non-exempt positions, you are not eligible to work a secondary job at Montgomery College. Montgomery College promotes and creates a working and learning environment rooted in the basic tenets of fairness, belonging and inclusiveness. This position is eligible for telework 1 day a week. This eligibility is subject to change based on the needs of the unit.
Johns Hopkins Facilities & Real Estate Sustainability Engineer
Reporting to the Director of Engineering and Energy, we are seeking a Sustainability Engineer who will lead and execute an effort to prioritize and implement programs, strategies, and projects focused on reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gases in accordance with the University’s climate change initiative. The Sustainability Engineer supports the Homewood campus and collaborates with JHFRE departmental staff, including facility operations, facility engineers, project managers, sustainability staff, and other relevant departmental personnel.
Location: Baltimore, MD
Job ID: 120348
Shift Type: Full Time
Schedule: Monday - Friday
Worksite: 45-MD:JH at Keswick
Work Modality: Hybrid: On-site 60-89% of hours worked (Ex: 3-4 out of 5 days/week)
Geosyntec Early-Career Air Quality Engineer
Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an Early-Career Air Quality Engineer in our Columbia, MD, or Washington, DC office, the opportunity to work remotely from your home-office may be available at the discretion of the Company. The position will apply academic knowledge and practical experience to real-world situations in the areas of air quality permitting and compliance, emission control technology evaluation, and air dispersion modeling for a diverse national private and public sector client base, while also learning and expanding the business skills needed for a successful consulting career.
ICF Associate Program Specialist
To support our growth, ICF is seeking an entry level candidate to provide program support for our utility program team in Maryland. Working closely with program and portfolio managers, this individual will coordinate and contribute to various deliverables such as creating and managing progress reports, conducting research on load management or electric vehicle initiatives for utilities, supporting program stakeholders and participants, and researching products and enhancements.
Center of Global Sustainability, University of Maryland Post-Doctoral Associate
The Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland (UMD) is hiring a Post-doctoral Associate with a focus on Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) in global and national mitigation strategies. The position will focus on Conventional CDR approaches (e.g., land-use, aforestation/reforestation, wetlands preservation, and conservation) or Novel CDR approaches (e.g., direct air capture with CCS, enhanced weathering, and biochar).
The position requires strong research, project management, writing, and communication skills, with a focus on linking analysis and policy. The associate will collaborate with CGS faculty, researchers, and partners to develop innovative approaches for achieving ambitious climate and sustainability goals that highlight the role of CDR as well as emissions reductions.
Looking for more opportunities?
Explore more openings across the state at your convenience. Visit Maryland Jobs Quick Search to see which industries are currently hiring and discover positions that match your skills and interests.
Grant & Funding Opportunities
As part of our commitment to economically supporting our community, we are excited to share these grant opportunities with our network. We hope these resources help you access funding, grow your projects, and strengthen the impact of your work.
Looking Out Foundation – Grants to Charities
The Looking Out Foundation provides grant funding to support nonprofit organizations working to create meaningful impact in their communities. With a focus on evolving needs, this grant supports programs that uplift underserved populations and address critical social issues.
Key Criteria:
Open to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Focus areas include: LGBTQIA2S+ support, disadvantaged youth, public health, women, the arts, food insecurity, and the unhoused
Typical grant range: $5,000 – $25,000
Does not fund individuals, scholarships, endowments, fundraising events, or annual appeals
Important Dates:
May funding cycle: Apply by January 15
November funding cycle: Apply by July 1
This is a strong opportunity for organizations looking to expand their impact and support underserved communities.
To apply for funding, please fill out this form.
The Foundation Grants Maryland website provides a centralized hub of diverse grant opportunities available to individuals, nonprofits, and community organizations across the state.
The Community Foundation offers a variety of grant programs designed to achieve specific goals within the community. Some opportunities reflect the charitable vision of local donors and Community Partners, while others are intended to spark new ideas and engage new audiences to drive community change. Click the link below to learn more about each grant’s timeline, deadlines, eligibility, and examples of previously funded projects.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
The Courage Project celebrates everyday courage in America by honoring individuals and organizations who uplift our communities and strengthen our shared future. This initiative recognizes those whose actions reflect the foundational values of our nation and inspire others to stand for what matters.
The Civic Participation Program strengthens democracy by supporting year-round efforts that encourage active engagement in civic life. This initiative focuses on on-the-ground organizing that empowers communities to participate fully beyond election-season activities. Please note that the program does not fund academic research, technology development, book projects, individual fellowships, or conferences unrelated to direct civic organizing.
Higher Education Opportunity: SEED Innovation Hub
The SEED Innovation Hub is actively partnered with Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney College, and Southside Virginia Community College to support student and faculty innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaborative projects.
SEED is now accepting applications for the 2026 SEED/NSF Faculty Innovation Fellowship, with up to five NSF-funded faculty fellow opportunities available for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026.
Key Details
Opportunity: 2026 SEED/NSF Faculty Innovation Fellowship
Who Can Apply: Faculty interested in innovation, entrepreneurship, and SEED projects
Partner Schools: Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney College, and Southside Virginia Community College
For Students: Registration forms are available for Longwood, Hampden-Sydney, and Southside Virginia Community College students
For Faculty/Staff: Interest forms are available for those who want to get involved with SEED collaborations
John Templeton Foundation
The John Templeton Foundation funds interdisciplinary research and projects that inspire curiosity, meaningful conversation, awe, and wonder.
The foundation currently has a grant cycle open and invites applicants to submit project ideas through its Online Funding Inquiry (OFI) process.
Upcoming Cycle Date: July 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM EDT
Organizations, researchers, and project leaders with aligned ideas are encouraged to review the grant guidelines and explore this funding opportunity.
This is a great opportunity for innovative projects focused on research, purpose, discovery, and meaningful impact.
The Outreach and Restoration Grant Program is now open. Please note that the Trust is in the process of transitioning to a new grants management system to improve the application and grant administration experience for applicants and grantee partners. As part of this transition, the online application system for this funding opportunity will open later than the release of this RFP.
We anticipate that the new system will be live in June and expect the application to be available for at least one month prior to the application deadline of September 3rd, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is committed to assisting Maryland's local governments and nonprofit organizations build capacity to achieve their community revitalization and economic development goals.
Operating Assistance Grants include funding for Technical Assistance and Main Street Improvement Program Grant.
The Technical Assistance Grant (TAG) program assists local governments and nonprofits with operating costs associated with local housing and community revitalization efforts.
The General Assembly must approve these amounts during the 2027 legislative session before they are final.
Program Description: The Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA’s) Commercial & Industrial Grant Program provides incentives to owners of Maryland-based commercial, industrial, data center, and non-profit facilities to invest in improvements that result in energy performance that exceeds current codes or standards. Both new construction and existing facilities may be considered for grants.
New For FY26: MEA is offering grants covering 100% of total project costs for qualified energy improvements made to non-governmental facilities with over 50% of their clientele defined as coming from Low Income Populations. In all other cases, FY26 C&I grants provide less than 100% coverage of proposal costs. See below for details.
Type of Grant Program: The FY26 C&I Program offers grants on a competitive basis. Each proposal received prior to the application deadline will be scored by MEA for its quality of documentation and for the magnitude of environmental benefits conveyed by its proposed scope of work. Awards will be issued in rank order as determined by scoring results until the program budget is deleted.
The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) is proud to administer the Baltimore City Community Grants Program in partnership with The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. These grants are designed to support nonprofits that provide direct services to low-income Baltimore City residents, with a focus on creating paths to stability and opportunity.
Eligibility: To be considered for a Baltimore City Community Grant, applicants must:
Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Serve residents of Baltimore City
Have a total organizational budget of $500,000 or less
Deliver programming that aligns with at least one of the following focus areas:
Housing: Improving stability by helping people access safe and affordable housing.
Health: Promoting health and well-being
Jobs: Creating paths to jobs and careers
Education: Helping youth succeed in school and beyond
Aging: Ensuring individuals are able to age with respect, dignity, and support.
Organizations that have an open grant with the Weinberg Foundation are not eligible to apply.
Grant applications are open from June 1 – September 30, 2026 at 5:00PM EST.
BMORE Beautiful grant programs are designed to support community-based organizations achieve their beautification goals. Applications for our grant programs are accepted on a seasonal basis. Generally, interested applicants must be a registered 501c3 in good standing with the State of Maryland OR have a fiscal sponsor that meet the aforementioned qualifications. Applicants must operate in Baltimore City.
The Engineering Environmental Resiliency (EER) program supports fundamental research to advance resource and energy conservation and recovery, and to safeguard the natural environment and human health. Better use of domestic resources will help make U.S. manufacturing and energy systems more resilient and secure.
Volunteer & Community Support Opportunities
Volunteer with the Maryland Food Bank
Volunteering with the Maryland Food Bank is a meaningful way to show up for your neighbors and make a real difference. By giving a few hours of your time whether sorting food, packing boxes, or helping with distribution you help ensure families have access to the nourishment they need. Every act of service matters, and your kindness helps strengthen our community, one meal at a time.
Volunteer Opportunities with JustServe
Looking for ways to give back? JustServe is a community-driven platform that helps you find volunteer opportunities in your area or even remotely. Whether you are looking to support local events, donate your time, or get involved in ongoing service projects, this hub makes it easy to connect with causes that matter to you.
What you can do:
Search for local volunteer opportunities by location
Explore remote and flexible service options
Discover upcoming events and community needs
Get involved with nonprofits and local initiatives
This is a great resource for individuals, families, and groups looking to make a meaningful impact in their community.
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