ENOUGH Initiative

ENOUGH Initiative is sponsored by State of Maryland. Maryland's ENOUGH Initiative aims to reduce childhood poverty through community-led, government-supported solutions.

Pages - ENOUGH Initiative Overview Accessibility Information ENOUGH Initiative Overview ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ There are roughly 150,000 children in Maryland living in poverty. For too long, concentrated childhood poverty has existed in neighborhoods across the state, denying many children the ability to reach their full potential. But every child deserves more than just a chance to survive – they deserve the opportunity to thrive.

For decades, government programs have tried to reduce poverty without directly listening to the people most affected and with mixed results. ENOUGH flips that model on its head by bringing together state agencies, local nonprofits, philanthropies, and community leaders with shared goals and clear outcomes. This initiative recognizes that people who live in a community are best positioned to lead the change in that community.

It puts funding and power directly in the hands of neighborhood organizations – not agencies or outsiders. “There's a measure of intentionality that drives concentrated poverty – so there needs to be a measure of intentionality in how we're going to address it. ” Governor Wes Moore recognizes that poverty is driven by policies, so tackling it requires a bold, intentional, and community-centered approach.

In 2024, the Moore-Miller Administration spearheaded the passage of the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) Act, a law intended to tackle the root causes of poverty in Maryland by addressing inequities and working with impacted communities to develop local solutions.

This first-in-the-nation, community-driven effort to reduce the number of children living in concentrated poverty has an initial commitment of more than $100 million for four years from state, philanthropic, and private partners.

Today, Maryland’s ENOUGH Initiative, administered by the Governor’s Office for Children (GOC), is supporting 27 community-led organizations across 12 counties, representing rural, suburban and urban areas in the state that have been historically impacted by barriers to economic mobility.

Through the use of data, residents’ lived experiences, and cross-sector collaboration, this pioneering grant initiative aims to improve access to four key pillars of development for young people – quality healthcare, safer communities, good schools and good jobs – so that more children and families can prosper.

Theory of Action with Pillars End childhood poverty & increase economic mobility in Maryland High-Quality Childcare and Education Unlocking children’s potential through early care and education from birth until working in a career, specifically ensuring smooth transitions - across K-12 to college and career.

Ensuring community members and families access to high-quality healthcare with goals of decreasing infant mortality, increasing life expectancy, and improving mental health. Economically Secure Families Ensuring higher rates of employment in living wage jobs and stable, thriving households where families can provide necessities, weather hard times, and build wealth.

Safe and Thriving Communities Creating communities where residents feel safe and can thrive through high-quality, affordable housing, a robust commercial core, and access to recreational spaces, nutritious food, and transportation. Collaborative action toward a shared vision, informed by data, research, and best practices.

ENOUGH Section with Quote What Makes ENOUGH Different People who live in a community are best positioned to lead its change. ENOUGH is the first statewide initiative to put funding and power directly in the hands of neighborhood organizations. For too long, generational poverty has persisted in specific neighborhoods.

ENOUGH breaks that cycle through targeted investments in communities with high concentrated levels of childhood poverty. Communities receiving ENOUGH funding are focused on evidence-based interventions and track progress and outcomes across four key pillars to prosperity. More Efficient, More Impactful ENOUGH is a force multiplier – helping communities better leverage existing funding for children and families.

This way, ENOUGH makes sure existing investments actually deliver results, while breaking down silos across agencies, programs, and sectors. “This is an opportunity to leverage additional sources of capital. This legislation will channel private, philanthropic, and state resources to communities with the highest rates of generational poverty.

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