Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Receives $200,000 ‘Housing for Everyone’ Grant from the TD Charitable Foundation

BALTIMORE (April 17, 2025) – Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS), the state’s largest provider of pro bono legal services for low-income residents, has received a $200,000 Housing for Everyone grant from the TD Charitable Foundation, the giving arm of TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®. MVLS is one of 36 nonprofits selected from over 270 applicants for this annual grant program, which has supported affordable housing initiatives since 2005.

Access to housing remains a significant challenge across the country, along with sustaining homeownership. Rising property taxes, increasing insurance premiums and costly home repairs place a considerable financial burden on many homeowners, particularly those with limited incomes. The TD Charitable Foundation’s 2025 Housing for Everyone grant is a critical initiative aimed at addressing these challenges. This year’s program specifically supports organizations that provide post-purchase assistance to help individuals and families maintain long-term housing stability.

“MVLS will proudly use this grant to support our Tangled Title Program, which helps homeowners untangle complicated title issues and gain access to home repair programs, tax credits and other support,” said MVLS Executive Director Susan Francis. “Too often, generational wealth is lost because of unresolved legal matters. MVLS is changing that, allowing families to stay in their homes and older adults to age in place with dignity.”

Last year, MVLS helped preserve over $4 million in home equity, and with this grant, aims to return $4.5 million more – all in an effort to protect families, build generational wealth and keep communities strong.

“Building generational wealth through sustained homeownership is one important way for families to ensure long-term financial security, which is why we are so proud to support the incredibly important work of Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service through the Housing for Everyone grant program,” said Paige Carlson-Heim, Director of the TD Charitable Foundation. “By providing the critical services and support needed for families to remain in their homes, this organization is helping to create the foundation for individuals and families to thrive.”

Through its 19^th annual Housing for Everyone grant program, the TD Charitable Foundation awarded $7.2 million to organizations supporting low- to moderate-income homeowners across its footprint. This year’s grantees were chosen for programs that help families stay in their homes, including foreclosure prevention, legal aid, property tax relief and energy efficiency upgrades. Since 2005, the program has invested over $63 million in more than 620 affordable housing initiatives.