Business Spotlight: American Communities Trust

American Communities Trust (ACT) is dedicated to improving social and economic conditions in low-income communities by partnering with neighborhood organizations, residents, businesses, institutional stakeholders, and funders to strengthen programs and initiatives which support healthy, safe, and prosperous communities. Since its inception in 2008 here in Baltimore, ACT has expanded nationally to St. Louis, Providence, New Haven, Winston-Salem, and Raleigh. Executive Director Peter Eiermann recently shared with us about the important work the ACT does and why they choose to collaborate with organizations like GHCC.

Tell us about ACT.

American Communities Trust (ACT) is a non-profit founded in 2008 to provide grants, seed capital, technical assistance and program-area expertise to low-income communities. We are a non-endowed private foundation, which means a large portion of our time is dedicated to building partnerships and relationships which will help sustain our organization and the programs and initiatives we support.  To date we have provided over $750,000 of grants, program related investments, technical expertise and support services to communities in six states.

ACT works in locations where there has been a historic lack of investment and where schools, public infrastructure, and services for residents face the greatest challenges.

What is one of your greatest challenges?

Attracting funding and developing relationships with partner organizations has been our greatest challenge. Like many things in life – it is all about relationships. You need to build trust, show commitment and have a solid business plan and community benefits plan before you can start to make an impact.

Why do you believe it’s important to support a nonprofit like GHCC?

GHCC’s track record of delivering on its mission was an important consideration. ACT is proud to support the Greater Homewood community and GHCC because if it’s tremendous commitment to area residents and its long-term vision for the community and City.

We also love the sense of pride and the knowledge that cooperation and determination can and does make an impact.  We believe that a community is strongest when everybody stands together – that includes residents, businesses, City government, schools, community groups and non-profits.

To learn more about American Communities Trust, please visit their website at http://www.americancommunitiestrust.org/. There you can also follow the great work they’re doing for communities all over Baltimore, and beyond.

Thank you ACT for your support and help in making Baltimore an ever brighter place!