Timothy D. Armbruster, president of the Goldseker Foundation, another Baltimore philanthropic fund, also praised the shift in the funds' emphasis. "The best thing that could happen for Baltimore would be to attract and keep 100,000 middle-class people of all races and religions," he said.
Rubenstein said the rethinking of the grants has been prompted in part by the recession, which has reduced the funds' worth by 25 percent.
"Because of the economy and the dip in our assets, we have decided to take a much more strategic approach," she said. "The middle class in Baltimore is sort of neglected."
Although the funds are earning less money because of the stock market ills, they still produce about $5 million annually for grant-making, she said, an amount equal to 5 percent of the philanthropy's assets.
Rubenstein said one cause she will be looking to aid is tuition help for middle-class students and their families.
"It is not uncommon to have children graduating from college with $100,000 of debt," she said.
To this end, the Meyerhoff Funds will assist students whose parents make $75,000 to $150,000, she said.
Another beneficiary will be the Enoch Pratt Free Library, where the nonprofit will help pay to upgrade public computer access.
Friends of Patterson Park, which Rubenstein said represents a "phenomenal success story," is also expected to benefit. The group keeps the park clean and safe, organizes free summer sports and cultural arts for children, musical events and assists a children's swim team.
"However the middle class is defined in Baltimore, we are working to keep it here," said Tim Almaguer, the Friends executive director.
Rubenstein also praised the work of Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, a group of professionals with children who reside in the older parts of the city who want to remain in Baltimore as their children enter school.
"The families of downtown - Canton to Bolton Hill - are a neglected constituency," said Judy O'Brien, the group's president. "And, yet, you can't really sustain a Baltimore renaissance on empty-nesters and single bachelors."
Along with the new efforts will be funding for some of the Meyerhoffs' longtime favorite projects, including Druid Hill Park. "It is a magnificent piece of land," Rubenstein said. "We have tried for years to find someone or some group who could make the park become the treasure it could be."
