The Annie E. Casey Foundation is accepting letters of intent for its annual Baltimore Direct Services Grants Program, designed to provide mentoring services for at-risk youth and families in the Baltimore area.

Community-based and community-serving nonprofits with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status ready to help enable a variety of direct services -- such as healthcare, education, job training, counseling, or violence prevention for disadvantaged youth and their families -- are welcome to apply. Awards will be funded in full for the first year, with the option to apply for a second year of support equal to half the first year's total.

Interested applicants should mail their letter of intent no later than March 13 and read the complete announcement online.