MARYLAND FUEL FUNDS

• The Baltimore Fuel Fund, one of the oldest and largest fuel funds, was organized in 1979.  A seed grant of $10,000 was provided by Baltimore Gas and Electric and it matches contributions dollar for dollar. It pays up to $125 to clients facing shut-offs and provides utility credits toward arrearages. It also operates an emergency oil program which provides 100 gallons of oil to eligible families at nominal cost.
  
  Through a partnership with the City of Baltimore, applications for assistance are taken through two Mayor’s Crisis Resource Centers, one conveniently located in an inner city shopping mall.

• Most Maryland fuel funds, including the Baltimore Fuel Fund, have participated in the Partnerships in Energy Solutions Program.  The program was initiated in FY 1996 when LIHEAP emergency money was released in April, after Maryland’s LIHEAP had closed.

LEVERAGING (includes church and community contributions)

2001: $5.3 million
2000: $1.7 million
1999: $1 million
1998: $2.6 million
1997: $1.8 million
1996: $2.5 million
1995: $2.7 million