As we step into FY27, we’re carrying forward something very special: our 45th Anniversary Celebration.
For more than four decades, the Fuel Fund of Maryland has stood alongside our neighbors, helping keep BGE households connected when it matters most. That legacy belongs to all of you: our donors, partners, volunteers, and friends and I couldn’t be more grateful for the role you’ve played in our journey.
Before I look ahead, I want to pause and say thank you.
Because of your generosity, 2,230 households remained connected this past year. Families were able to keep the lights on, maintain safe temperatures in their homes, and avoid the stress and uncertainty that often comes with utility hardship.
We also welcomed 227 new donors to the Fuel Fund family, which tells me something I’ve always believed: people want to help their neighbors when they know there is a need.
And there certainly was a need.
In fact, 44% of the households we assisted had already received a utility turn-off notice. That’s nearly half of the families who came to us facing the possibility of losing a basic necessity that many of us take for granted.
Most of the households we served were right here in our backyard, with 901 households in Baltimore City and 717 households in Baltimore County receiving assistance. Together, our Traditional Program and Power of One Program helped 1,865 households stay safely connected.
And even with utility costs remaining higher than normal throughout much of the year, something incredible happened.
We exceeded our fundraising goal by 10%.
Wow.
That’s not because of one person, one company, or one foundation. It’s because thousands of people came together and said, “Yes, I want to help.”
Thank you.
As we celebrate these accomplishments, I’m excited to share a glimpse of what’s next.
This year, we’re launching Sparky, our very first website chatbot.
Now, I know AI can sound a little intimidating, but Sparky is actually being created for a very simple reason: to help people get answers when they need them.
Whether someone is looking for utility assistance, wants to make a donation, or simply has questions about the Fuel Fund, Sparky will help guide them in the right direction. We expect many of the questions will come from households seeking assistance, but Sparky will also be available to donors, community partners, and anyone wanting to learn more about our work.
Even better, this exciting new project is being made possible through the generosity of a donor.
Right now, we’re in the building phase. Throughout July and August, our team will be teaching Sparky about the Fuel Fund so it can provide clear, helpful, and accurate information. We’re aiming for a soft launch in September and can’t wait to share more with you.
And in true Fuel Fund fashion, we’re proud to be leading the way. We believe we’ll be the first Fuel Fund in the country to introduce an AI-powered chatbot like Sparky. It’s one more way we’re embracing innovation while staying focused on what matters most: keeping households connected.
As I look ahead to FY27, I’m filled with gratitude for everything we’ve accomplished together and excited for what’s to come.
Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for supporting our neighbors. And thank you for helping us prove, every single day, that necessity knows no zip code and necessity knows no season.
Here’s to another year of keeping households connected.
Debbie Brown, Executive Director