Baltimore · Research & teaching institution
We research revitalization where the city needs economic injection — then teach the classes, rebuild housing and outreach locations, and use AI so people can work remotely while the block recovers. Four Pillars of Change begins at 617 Ashburton.
617
Ashburton — first Four Pillars field site
Research
Plans → articles → grant outcomes
AI + Trades
Remote work while we rebuild
What We Do
Foundation Labs partners with iShareHow Labs to treat Baltimore as a city laboratory: we study the blocks that need revitalization and economic injection, write the plans and impact articles funders require, teach the classes that rebuild a city, and stand up housing plus outreach locations — starting with Foundation House at 617 Ashburton.
Field evidence becomes published journal articles: plans, impact, and grant-ready outcomes — not chat-only notes.
Vacant and underused properties become homes, Foundation House Sessions space, and neighborhood teaching nodes.
Trades apprenticeships on live sites, plus AI-assisted remote jobs people can do while the physical rebuild continues.
Our Impact Framework
617 Ashburton is where these pillars begin in community — housing, teaching, healing, and economic elevation with AI-assisted remote work as we rebuild.
Vacant Properties → Quality Homes
Transform abandoned houses into safe, affordable housing through strategic acquisition and professional rehabilitation.
Acquire city-owned vacant properties
Execute full-scope renovations to code
Create homeownership and rental opportunities
Stabilize blocks and reduce blight
Training the Next Generation
Hands-on apprenticeship programs that combine real construction projects with structured education.
Paid apprenticeship positions
Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC training
Certifications and licensure pathways
Mentorship from licensed contractors
Digital learning platform powered by iShareHow Labs
Community Rebuilding
Engage residents, volunteers, and partners to restore neighborhood pride and safety.
Volunteer coordination and engagement
Block-by-block stabilization strategy
Community events and awareness
Crime reduction through occupancy
Measurable neighborhood impact metrics
Local Enterprise + AI Work
Grow trades businesses and inject Agents AI so neighbors can earn through remote-capable jobs while the physical rebuild continues.
Business development for tradespeople
Agents CRM and AI business workers
Remote-capable job pathways during rehab
Contract pipeline and tools access
Financial planning and operations training
Our Process
01
Partner with Baltimore City to purchase vacant properties marked for demolition, often for $1 with $90K+ committed for rehab.
02
Recruit apprentices from the community and pair them with licensed general contractors on live construction sites.
03
Execute full rehabilitation using best practices, modern systems, and quality materials — all documented and tracked digitally.
04
Deliver finished homes to new owners or tenants while graduating trained tradespeople ready for careers or entrepreneurship.
First Field Site
Our builder partner finished the rehab pathway; the property is not yet sold. Foundation acquisition is gated on operating cash evidence. Meanwhile this address is our first research-and-teaching impact article: housing, outreach Sessions, rebuild classes, and AI-assisted jobs that inject economic capacity while the block recovers.
Plans and outcomes live on the Labs journal — so funders see method, not marketing.
Rehab:
Partner complete
Acquisition:
Gated ($155k band)
Use:
Foundation House
Scholarship:
Impact article live
Location
617 Ashburton St, Baltimore, MD
Partner
Bobby Mathaudhu — builder / foundation path
Status
Rehab complete · Foundation acquisition gated
Today's Operating Facts
Builder rehab / flip pathway complete (partner)
Foundation purchase band: target $155k (open $150–155k, ceiling $165k)
Gate: $24k/mo contract live 2–3 months + reserve
Intended use: Foundational house + Sessions + teaching lab
Main-floor living room: invited-guest third place + content studio
Four Pillars of Change field start for the neighborhood
AI-assisted remote work while physical rebuild continues
Grant evidence published on Labs research journal
Technology & Operations
Foundation Labs leverages cutting-edge SaaS technology from iShareHow Labs to manage projects, track training, measure outcomes, and report to funders — all in one integrated platform.
Timeline, budget, tasks, and milestones for every rehab.
Digital curriculum with modules for each trade.
Real-time dashboards showing outcomes, certifications, and impact.
Coordinate donors, volunteers, and community partners.
Automated grant reporting and audit-ready documentation.
Operations & Knowledge Partner
SaaS platform, project management, training content, BI dashboards, CRM for volunteers/donors, and marketing support for trades businesses.
Construction & Training Partner
Property scoping, permitting, construction management, and on-site training of apprentices under written contracts with the foundation.
Tradespeople
Tools by Foundation Labs · Powered by iShareHow Labs
Foundation Labs graduates get fully configured operational systems — CRM, AI chatbot, lead tracking, and business intelligence — so you can focus on growing your trade business.
4
Core Trades
$0
Platform Cost*
CRM + AI
Bot Included
Baltimore
Based
*For qualifying Foundation Labs apprenticeship graduates
What We Provide
Everything you need to run and grow a professional contracting business — configured and ready to go.
Track Every Prospect, Job, and Client.
Stay on top of your pipeline with a CRM built for tradespeople. Automated follow-ups, status tracking, and pipeline views keep your business organized.
Lead capture from chatbot + forms
Job status tracking (new/active/done)
Client contact database
Automated follow-up reminders
Never lose a lead again — every opportunity tracked automatically.
24/7 Lead Intake That Talks to Your Customers.
Captures name, phone, service needed, location, and routes everything straight to your CRM — even while you sleep.
Customized for your trade
Natural conversation flow
Instant lead capture to CRM
Works on your website 24/7
Your digital front desk — always on, always professional.
See How Your Business Is Performing at a Glance.
Track revenue, job completion rates, customer satisfaction, and growth trends — all in one place.
Real-time performance metrics
Revenue and job tracking
Customer satisfaction scores
Growth trend analysis
Data-driven decisions for a stronger business.
Professional Branding and Digital Presence.
Stand out from the competition with a polished brand, professional website, and digital presence that builds trust.
Custom logo and brand identity
Professional website
Google Business setup
Social media templates
Look professional from day one.
Simple Process
01
Complete your apprenticeship in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC.
02
We set up your personalized platform — CRM, chatbot, and dashboard.
03
Your AI chatbot and intake forms go live, bringing in prospects around the clock.
04
Use real data and business intelligence to scale your contracting operation.
Who This Is For
Tradespeople is designed for graduates of Foundation Labs apprenticeship programs across four core trades.
Framing, finish work, cabinetry, and general carpentry contracting.
Residential and commercial electrical services and installations.
Pipe fitting, fixture installation, and plumbing repair services.
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning installation and maintenance.
Coverage Area
We provide business tools and support to contractors across six major areas.
Our home base. Foundation Labs operates here. Fastest onboarding and support.
Full coverage for contractors working residential and commercial projects.
Including Annapolis, Glen Burnie, and surrounding communities.
Columbia, Ellicott City, and surrounding areas.
Bel Air, Aberdeen, and northeastern Maryland coverage.
Southern Maryland and DC-adjacent contractor coverage.
Get the tools you need to manage customers, capture leads, and grow your contracting operation.
Foundation Labs graduates receive priority onboarding. Mon–Fri 9am–6pm EST · Baltimore, Maryland
Modeled on NYU Tandon Urban Systems and CUSP: vacant-home sites become Success Hub field instruments. Agents Property Lab runs CRM and AI business workers for hub operators serving people in reality. Labs field track holds the research ledger and city-facing grant narratives — amounts stay on the Let’s Talk PR (LTP) shared Drive grant ledger.
Get Involved Through Research
Impact and involvement start in our research articles — where plans are written, outcomes are measured, and grant partners see how Four Pillars work on real Baltimore blocks.
Start with the 617 Ashburton Foundation House article — plans, mission, and outcomes written for grants and city partners.
Open Impact ArticleBrowse Labs articles where we build revitalization plans, publish methods, and report impact — the spine for Get Involved.
Browse JournalCity-as-lab plan and grant narrative for Baltimore Success Hubs, apprenticeships, and Agents AI workers.
Open Baltimore PlanFoundations, city agencies, trades mentors, and grant writers — collaborate on field sites and curriculum.
Contact PartnersNew field articles, plan updates, and grant outcomes publish on the Labs journal.
Impact is published as research — plans, articles, and outcomes — not vanity counters.
View Our Impact Article617
Ashburton Field Site
4
Pillars of Change
1
Impact Article Live
$155k
Purchase Target (Gated)
AI
Remote Jobs + Rebuild
R1
Research Journal Spine
FAQ
How do you select properties?
We work with Baltimore City to identify vacant properties eligible for the $1 sale program or other acquisition pathways, prioritizing blocks where multiple properties can be stabilized together.
Are you a church or ministry?
Foundation Labs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on housing and workforce development. We welcome people of all backgrounds and do not require religious participation.
How do you ensure quality and compliance?
All work is performed by licensed contractors, inspected by the city, and tracked digitally using iShareHow Labs technology. We maintain full transparency and audit-ready records.
Can I donate a property or materials?
Yes! Contact us to discuss property donations, material contributions, or in-kind support.
How is Foundation Labs different from other housing nonprofits?
We uniquely combine property rehab with paid apprenticeships and business development — and we use modern SaaS technology to track outcomes, scale impact, and stay accountable.
What is Tradespeople?
Tradespeople is the business toolkit for Foundation Labs graduates — CRM, AI chatbot intake, business intelligence dashboards, and marketing support configured so apprentices can launch and grow contracting businesses.
Who qualifies for the $0 platform cost?
Qualifying Foundation Labs apprenticeship graduates in carpentry, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC receive fully configured operational systems at no platform cost. Contact us to confirm eligibility and coverage in your area.
What areas does Tradespeople cover?
We support contractors across Baltimore City and Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford, and Prince George's counties in Maryland.
Contact