About the Challenge
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2024 CHangemaker Challenge
A social innovation competition to highlight and award ideas in Central Maryland. Applications open January 2024!
United Way of Central Maryland
2024 Changemaker Challenge
United Way of Central Maryland’s Changemaker Challenge aims to spark social innovation to address challenges facing our communities. Each finalist will receive $1,500 stipend and coaching support.
More than $600,000+ in grants
$1,500 FINALIST STIPEND
COACHING AND MENTORSHIP
Learn More & Apply!
Anne arundel county
Baltimore city
Baltimore county
HOward county
Harford county
Carroll county
- Alex Smith, founder, Division Street Landscaping 2021 Changemaker Challenge grantee
“
Before [the Changemaker Challenge], I wasn't able to do [the work]. I just talked about it.
I didn't have the time or resources to make it happen, and I couldn't have done it without the Changemaker Challenge.
Questions?
Email us.
United Way of Central Maryland | 1800 Washington Blvd., Suite 340, Baltimore, MD 21230 T: 410-547-8000 | UWCM.ORG
2024 Changemaker Challenge Sponsors
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Click here for more information.
FAQ's:
Applicants must be 18+ and living/working in Central Maryland
Applicants may apply in multiple jurisdictions
Previous applicants may apply again
Get Connected!
Click to see the finalists!
A social innovation competition to highlight and award ideas in Central Maryland.
From a Big Idea to Reality
Hear from 2021 Changemakers about how the Changemaker Challenge made their ideas come to life.
meet the 2024 changemakers
Applications are open!
Questions? Join an informational session with our Grants team on Tuesday, February 6 at 3:30 p.m.
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Applications closed on February 20, 2024. Stay tuned for finalist announcements and information about live events!
Applications are now closed!
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Meet the 2024 finalists and register for the live pitch events.
Meet the 2024 Changemaker Challenge Finalists and see the Winners!
Meet the 2024 Changemaker Challenge Finalists
See the finalist
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2024 CHangemaker Challenge: Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County
Click here to view 2021 Changemakers from Anne Arundel County
The Global Air Drone Academy
STEM workshops to get underrepresented youth into dream jobs
Access Community Development Corporation
Create a one-year leadership program to nurture youth leaders and advocates in Glen Burnie in Anne Arundel County
$10,000
Kits to Heart
To improve the mental and emotional well-being of those affected by cancer through an innovative art therapy program. Click here to hear from Sonia.
$15,000
Kindness Grows Here, Inc.
Raise a kinder generation by teaching children what it means to be kind, fighting racism and discrimination through kindness
Sharp Dressed Man
Create the “Sharp Dressed Van” to allow the organization to offer high volumes of garment delivery to community partners and clients. Click here to hear from Elisa.
WeGo Foundation
Empower pediatric patients to explore the world form their hospital beds via innovative telepresence robotics
+$5,000 Audience Choice
Chow
An upgrade and expansion of the organization’s existing fleet of food trucks that provide food and assist the public at social cause events
Improving Education
Bedtime in a Box provides families with a sustainable nightly routine to read and bond with their child every night
$25,000
National Cryptologic Foundation
A cybersecurity video game delivers content in a novel, engaging manner to middle school students to remedy digital access inequalities
Upcycled Inc.
Upgrade the recycling center to simplify the upcycling process and facilitate an interactive educational area
We heard from the innovative thinkers who are ready to elevate, accelerate, and activate their ideas. Learn more about them!
Click here to see contest rules
Applications are open! Click here to apply.
Anne Arundel County Official Rules, click here.
application & Official Rules
Click here to register for the live event!
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Anne Arundel County
Check Back - Coming Soon!
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Anne Arundel County COMING SOON!
Meet the 2024 Changemakers from Howard County
Annapolis Ag, Inc. Araba Maze Ballet After Dark Co-op Arundel, Inc. Kits to Heart Opportunity Builders, Inc. Rob's Barbershop Community Foundation, Inc. Shelley's House, Inc. Street Angels Project
Meet the 2024 Changemakers from Anne Arundel County
Annapolis Ag, Inc. Araba Maze Ballet After Dark Co-op Arundel, Inc. Kits to Heart Opportunity Builders, Inc. Rob's Barbershop & Community Foundation, Inc. Shelley's House, Inc. Street Angels Project
RSVP to attend via live stream.
RSVP to attend in person.
Tuesday, April 30 - 5:30 p.m.
$5,000 Audience Choice Award
Congratulations to the 2024 Changemaker Winners from Anne Arundel County
$25,000 Winner: Rob’s Barbershop Community Foundation $15,000 Winners: Co-op Arundel Storybook Maze $10,000 Winners: Street Angel Project Inc. Opportunity Builders, Inc. $5,000 Audience Choice Award: Opportunity Builders, Inc. Watch this year's full event recording here!
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see the finalist
2024 CHangemaker Challenge: Baltimore City
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Baltimore City
To improve the mental and emotional well-being of those affected by cancer through an innovative art therapy program
Create the “Sharp Dressed Van” to allow the organization to offer high volumes of garment delivery to community partners and clients
B-360
#Ride4Change campaign combines STEM education, workforce development, economic justice, and dirt bike culture
Dyslexia Advocation, Inc.
Parent Solutions program to help parents of struggling readers navigate the special education process
PIVOT Inc.
An innovative re-entry program for women following incarceration
The SOS Fund
The SOS Fund aims to disrupt and dismantle predatory systems that erode property rights and ownership within the BIPOC community
Tendea Family
8-month Rites of Passage program for Black boys in Baltimore, ages 12-18
Baltimore Youth Arts
Arts education and career readiness program (ages 14-22) with a focus on those who have contact with the justice system
Greater Baltimore Health Improvement Initiative
A pipeline for diversity in healthcare leadership
Ballet After Dark
Trauma-informed, holistic dance therapy for survivors of stalking, and sexual and intimate partner violence
Division Street Landscaping
A program to beautify the city by training formerly incarcerated persons in landscaping skills. Click here to hear from Alex.
Live Together, Inc.
Breaking down silos to integrate housing, services, and amenities for all residents within a Live Together community
Queer Crisis Response Unit
A community care network for LGBTQIA+ people experiencing crises in Baltimore City
Safe Alternative Foundation for Education, Inc.
The SAFE Workforce Development Center will provide woodworking skills and technical construction certification
Baltimore City
Baltimore City Official Rules, click here.
Register for the live event - COMING SOON!
Click here to view 2021 Changemakers from Baltimore City
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Baltimore City COMING SOON!
BLinG-Health Drink at the Well, Inc. Fosterpreneur Itineris Open Works RISE Arts Center of Baltimore Safe Alternative Foundation for Education STEMulating Art Sweet Bee Services The Violet Project Wide Angle Youth Media Winning Strategies: Fatherhood, The Courts & Custody
Meet the 2024 Changemakers from Baltimore City
Tuesday, May 14 - 6:00 P.M.
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See The finalist
2024 CHangemaker Challenge: Baltimore County
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Baltimore County
Araba Maze
Install book vending machines in book deserts to combat children’s lack of access to books
Storybook Maze
Dominiece Clifton
Creating a mobile movement studio that will travel to marginalized communities offering free movement and body-centered approaches to healing trauma and reducing stress such as yoga, dance and exercise provided exclusively by instructors of color
Expand the impact by offering free art classes and workshops for the cancer community. Click here to hear from Sonia.
Pennies for Pointe
Supply young dancers with resources to make dance education more accessible to previously excluded communities
The Sharp Dressed Van will allow high volumes of garment delivery to community partners and clients. Click here to hear from Elisa.
Train formerly incarcerated persons in landscaping skills using properties of the elderly, infirmed, or those who've fallen on hard times. Click here to hear from Alex.
Dundalk Renaissance Corporation
A program to provide mortgage assistance loans and financial counseling to ensure successful financial management
New Lens
The Education Justice podcast addresses equity, race, and issues impacting education through podcast production
The Pro Bono Counseling Project, Inc.
Enlist licensed mental health providers as volunteers to see one to two pro bono clients annually
TurnAround
Create the first youth-led advisory board in metro Baltimore focused solely on the prevention of intimate partner violence, sexual violence and human trafficking
Baltimore County Official Rules, click here.
Baltimore County
Click here to view 2021 Changemakers from Baltimore County
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Baltimore County COMING SOON!
Meet the 2024 Changemakers from Baltimore County
Camp Opportunity Liberty's Promise Mindful Movements National Cryptologic Foundation, Inc. Neighborhood Companions Inc. Nu Momish R.I.C.O.C.H.E.T. Inc. Sunshine Promises, Inc. The Education Foundation of Baltimore County Public Schools, Inc. Tinina Q. Cade Foundation Whitney Ramirez
Liberty's Promise
Thursday, May 9 - 6:00 P.M.
$5,000 Audience Choice
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2024 CHangemaker Challenge: Harford County
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Harford County
Found in Faith Ministries
The Path to Success smartphone app will provide users with an interactive, self-directed life management experience
Nature Worx
Creating an innovative, viable treatment modality for mental health by combining mindfulness, meditation and nature therapy
TUNE Foodshare
Develop a food share program for students and others facing food insecurity
Shelby John
Create the Women’s Online Wellness University for those who have established recovery from substance abuse
The Harford Community College Foundation
The BeVocal project engages the entire campus community as active bystanders during a mental health situation
Volunteen
Provide Thanksgiving in a box for local families facing food insecurity at the holiday
Harford County
Harford County Official Rules, click here.
Click here to view 2021 Changemakers from Harford County
Ballet After Dark Brightminds Community Ecology Institute Emmanuel Simms HoCo Pride Irie Cooking by Michelle JustLiving Advocacy, Inc. Luminus Network for New Americans NonFudgery Sacral Roots Sobar, Inc. Women's Art Therapy Support Group
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Harford County COMING SOON!
Meet the 2024 Changemakers from Harford County
Arrow Child & Family Ministries Ballet After Dark Bmore Sk8 Youth Project Compress and Shock Foundation One Touch Technology 4 Causes Tequity4All The Harford Community College Foundation
Thursday, May 16 - 6:00 P.M.
Tequity4ALL
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application & official rules
2024 CHangemaker Challenge: Howard County
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Howard County
Alston for Athletes
Helps provide Mental Health First Aid Training to coaches, athletic directors and trainers to support Howard County’s youth athletes.
Howard County Pirate Adventures Inc.
To eliminate economic and transportation barriers by creating a free app that will guide residents on pirate-themed scavenger hunts.
Howard County Lynching Truth & Reconciliation, Inc.
Create an interactive, web-based platform to assist with educating the community about our history, which impacts us all today.
The 3rd Inc.
Helps create a community co-working space in downtown Columbia that is run by, supplied by and incubates women of color entrepreneurs.
The Community Ecology Institute
This program aims to transform lawns in the community into ecologically beneficial food growing spaces and teach people how to grow their own healthy food.
$10,000 Audience Choice
4Girls2STEM
A STEM program for minority girls in Howard County.
Howard County Autism Society
The Autism Hiring Program, an innovation that advances workplace neurodiversity and acceptance, connecting businesses to an untapped workforce and targeting jobseekers not supported by existing systems.
Oakland Mills Online
An in-school speaker series at Oakland Mills High School that exposes students to real-world work and life experiences.
$10,000 Women's Giving Circle of Howard County
Howard County Official Rules, click here.
Howard County
The Horizon Foundation, United Way of Central Maryland, Women’s Giving Circle, and Community Foundation of Howard County are partnering to bring a social innovation competition to highlight and award ideas in Central Maryland.
2024 Changemaker Challenge Howard County Sponsors
Click here to view 2021 Changemakers from Howard County
Meet the 2021 Changemakers from Howard County COMING SOON!
2024 Changemakers from Howard County:
Tequity4All
Tuesday, May 7
Congratulations to the 2024 Changemaker Winners from Howard County
Sacral Roots
Emmanuel Simms
Luminus Network for New Americans
Community Ecology Institute
$10,000 Women's Giving Circle
Brightminds
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