West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation Addresses Community Needs Through Strategic Funding and Collaborative Center

The West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation (WBRF), a nonprofit organization linked to LifeBridge Health, is strategically managing and awarding funding from the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission to address pressing community needs in West Baltimore. Under the leadership of Executive Director Kurt Sommer, the foundation focuses on workforce development, youth mentoring, food access, and population health initiatives that directly impact the Greater Baltimore area.

A significant development in the foundation's work is the establishment of The Factory: A West Baltimore Opportunity Center, which serves as a collaborative hub for multiple nonprofit organizations to provide comprehensive resources to the community. This center represents a physical manifestation of the foundation's commitment to creating sustainable change through coordinated efforts and strategic partnerships.

Sommer brings extensive experience to his role, having previously served as Director of the Baltimore Integration Partnership (BIP), a collaborative initiative of anchor institutions, funders, nonprofits, and public organizations focused on establishing economic inclusion as the business culture norm in the Baltimore region. The BIP, part of the national Living Cities Integration Initiative, achieved significant workforce, community investment, policy, and system change outcomes under his leadership.

Prior to his work with BIP, Sommer held positions in public policy, community development, and research with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Baltimore Housing, and the Brookings Institution. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Washington College and a Master of Community Planning degree from the University of Maryland College Park.

The interview was conducted by David Nevins, president and CEO of Nevins & Associates, a strategic communications company with extensive experience in marketing, public relations, and community relations. Nevins' firm serves clients across various industries including healthcare, professional services, finance, and not-for-profits, bringing valuable perspective to the discussion about community development and strategic communication.

The work of the West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation matters because it represents a coordinated, funded approach to addressing systemic challenges in an underserved community. By leveraging healthcare funding through the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission, the foundation connects health outcomes with economic development, workforce training, and food security—recognizing that these elements are interconnected in creating healthy, thriving communities.

The implications of this work extend beyond immediate community benefits, serving as a model for how healthcare systems can partner with community organizations to address social determinants of health. The Factory opportunity center demonstrates how physical spaces can catalyze collaboration among multiple organizations, creating synergies that amplify impact beyond what any single organization could achieve independently.

This approach to community development, combining strategic funding, experienced leadership, and collaborative infrastructure, offers valuable lessons for other communities facing similar challenges. The foundation's work underscores the importance of cross-sector partnerships and long-term investment in addressing complex social and economic issues that affect health outcomes and community wellbeing.