Dear community partners,
After nearly 30 years of serving Maryland, the Job Opportunities Task Force (“JOTF”) will be
closing its doors effective June 30, 2025. Unfortunately, JOTF has experienced a precipitous loss
in funding since 2023, and we have exhausted our reserves to support our mission over the last
year. Given the current funding climate, the JOTF Board of Directors has determined that the
organization is no longer viable and that merging with another organization is not feasible.
As we prepare for the impending wind-down with heavy hearts, we find solace in reflecting on
the tremendous positive impact that JOTF has had on Baltimore and Maryland, made possible
through the incredible talent and dedication of our staff in partnership with our amazing
funders, collaborators, peers and constituents.
Since 1996, JOTF has developed and advocated for policies and programs that increase the
marketable skills, income, and economic opportunities of low-income workers and job seekers
in Maryland. Through JOTF’s three core pillars – policy and advocacy, research, and job skills
training – JOTF has worked to eliminate obstacles to stable employment for Maryland families.
JOTF has trained over 1,200 Baltimore residents in the construction trades – initially in
collaboration with our long-term partner Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) through
Project Jumpstart and more recently with our own program, BetterU. The experience of Project
Jumpstart and BetterU trainees and graduates served to inform JOTF’s issue briefs and reports
that focused on addressing barriers to employment, including the effects of a criminal record,
the criminalization of poverty, and the high costs of being poor.
JOTF brought personal stories of Project Jumpstart and BetterU participants and JOTF’s report
recommendations to Annapolis, and with its partners, experienced hard-fought legislative wins,
including the creation of Maryland’s state job training fund, mandated paid sick leave, new
expungement and shielding laws, and child support system reforms that have positively
affected hundreds of thousands of Marylanders.
JOTF also served as the fiscal sponsor of the Baltimore CASH Campaign and the Maryland CASH
Campaign until the two programs merged to form a separate nonprofit organization, the CASH
Campaign of Maryland.
JOTF would not have existed without its partnership with community organizations, legislators,
coalitions, and grassroots organizations to advance its work. We are forever grateful for the
donors and supporters that made our work possible. Together, we’ve had a meaningful,
measurable, positive impact on the lives of Marylanders.
In closing, we express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for Joanne Nathans, who cofounded JOTF in 1996 and has served tirelessly as a board member and advocate for nearly 30
years. The same goes for our amazing staff (and alumni), who have remained steadfast and
resolute in furthering our mission and driving meaningful change for Marylanders despite
significant challenges.
While this chapter of JOTF is coming to an end, the Board of Directors remains committed to
the work, and we are in discussion with partners in hopes that others will continue to advance
JOTF’s agenda moving forward.
Please reach out to Keith Stone, as Chair of the Board of Directors, if you have any questions or
thoughts. Please also share this with your networks in case we have unintentionally [or
accidentally] missed anyone.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of the Job Opportunities Task Force
