In memory of Judge Albert P. Close
Closing the gap between need and help for Harford County’s young people.
Since 2002, we have raised and distributed funds to local programs that give at-risk youth, and the families around them, real hope for their future.
Secure and tax-deductible. Prefer to mail a check? 129 Briarcliff Lane, Bel Air, MD 21014
Our Impact
$190,420
granted to local programs in five years
97%
of every dollar to grants and programs
$42,275
raised at our 2026 benefit
68
sponsors, donors & supporters in 2026
Our Mission
The Close Foundation helps “close the gap” between need and existing resources by raising and distributing funds to give Harford County’s at-risk youth hope for their future.
“Every young person deserves someone in their corner.”
The Albert P. Close Foundation
What We Fund
Every grant goes directly to young people.
Grants go only to programs that directly serve young people in Harford County, never to a program’s utilities or administrative costs.
Health & Well-Being
Counseling and care that help young people and their families stay healthy, find their footing and move forward with confidence.
Education & Opportunity
Tuition and books, school supplies, summer camps and leadership programs that help young people discover what they can achieve.
Healthy Beginnings
“Hold Them Close” at UM Upper Chesapeake gives newborns who need extra care, and their mothers, the strongest possible start. It is our largest commitment every year.
Family & Community
Weekend meals for students, youth centers and summer day camps, and outreach that keeps families connected and supported.
Featured Grant · 2025
$20,000 to Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation
Our largest grant of 2025 continues our support of “Hold Them Close,” which gives newborns who need extra care, and their mothers, a healthy start. It also helps fund a therapist, nurse or case manager so families can get care quickly.
Hold Them Close
$15,000
Emergency care
$5,000
Since 2020
$124,000
For Harford County Organizations
Grant applications are accepted August 1 through October 31 each year.
Apply online in about 30 minutes, with no printing or scanning. Grants are awarded each November and December.
Organizations Your Gifts Support
Trusted local partners
- Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation
- Inner County Outreach
- The EPICENTER
- Maryland FBLA-PBL Foundation
- Extreme Family Outreach
- The HOPE Center of Maryland
- Scouting America
- Trinity Lutheran Christian School
- Harford County Education Foundation
- Arrow Child & Family Ministries
- Alternative Education Program
- Springboard Community Services
Annual Benefit
Follow us to the Hollow
Our annual evening brings the community together, and every ticket and sponsorship goes back to programs for Harford County youth. This year, 46 sponsors helped us raise $42,275.
Next event: date and location to be announced
Tickets: $75 single · $750 table of ten
Sponsorship levels
- Platinum $5,000
- Gold $2,500
- Silver $1,000
- Bronze $500
- Close Friend $300
“Anyone observing Judge Close for five minutes understood he believed every case was important and deserved his undivided attention.”
The Aegis, “The Close era,” 2000
Our Namesake
Judge Albert P. Close
Remembered for his kindness, his fairness and his devotion to Harford County
Albert Patterson Close was born in 1918 at Hazel Dell, near Bel Air, the youngest of seven children in a family of Harford County lawyers. He graduated from St. John’s College in Annapolis and the University of Maryland School of Law.
During World War II he volunteered for the Marine Corps and served in China, rising to the rank of major. He came home to practice law in Bel Air, served as a People’s Court judge, and in 1967 joined the Circuit Court for Harford County. Over nearly two decades on the bench he served as administrative judge, guided the expansion of the county courthouse, and became chief judge of the Third Administrative Circuit.
Colleagues remembered his patience, his fairness and his humor, and a chambers door that was always open. He mentored many young lawyers who went on to successful careers, volunteered with the Boy Scouts, earning their Silver Beaver Award, and served on the board of the Upper Chesapeake Health System. He loved the Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore, his garden and the Orioles.
After he passed away in December 2000, his family and friends founded the Foundation in 2002 to carry his devotion to young people forward. Today we still help send Harford County scouts to camp at Broad Creek, and our largest grant each year supports new families at Upper Chesapeake.
Stay informed
A short note a few times a year on grants awarded and upcoming events.