Baltimore is a vibrant city, home to more than 600,000 people who want and need their city to be the best possible place to raise healthy, well-prepared children. Importantly, Baltimore is also home to scores of community leaders who are committed to their City and eager to be part of a transformational solution that benefits all of our children and young people. In the fall of 2012, foundation and business leaders throughout Baltimore began a new discussion around the idea of working together on behalf of our City’s children. The discussion focused on innovative ways the community could come together to support children’s health and education from birth through the time when they are college and/or career ready. This broad cradle-to-career focus is similar in intent to many collective impact strategies in cities across the United States. The mission of Baltimore’s Promise is to coordinate strategy, identify quality programs, support alignment activities, establish shared measures for meaningful results, build public will, and advance policy on behalf of Baltimore City’s youth. This grant provided $100,000 for core operating support.