About

A decorative crab statue from the 2005 Crabtown Project
 

The Baltimore Community Foundation is a philanthropic foundation created by and for the people of Greater Baltimore, where many donors join together to make the region they love a better place, today and for future generations.

BCF’s civic agenda, Invest in Baltimore, frames strategic investments in nine program areas, or “paths,” which together lead to a single vision for Baltimore: Baltimore boasts a growing economy in which all have the opportunity to thrive.

BCF's Goals Are to

  • Help donors plan and carry out their charitable giving in Baltimore, the region, and across the country,
  • Invest strategically through grants which anticipate as well as respond to community needs,
  • Build a civic endowment, a permanent source of philanthropic funding for the greater Baltimore region,
  • Work in partnership with other foundations, public agencies and the business sector, bringing a consistent voice of leadership to critical civic issues.

BCF Quick Facts

  • Comprises 600+ different philanthropic funds with a total of $149 million in assets. See our Funds in Action section to begin exploring.
  • Distributed $22 million in 2009 to hundreds of nonprofit organizations in Baltimore, the region, and across the country.
  • Has granted over $300 million since its inception.
  • Founded in 1972; governed by a 32-member board of trustees.
  • BCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported organization; contributions are fully deductible to the extent permitted by law.
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  • My Legacy: Maxine Saunders
    Maxine SaundersWhen my mother died of cancer, she was in great pain and our family was devastated. As a tribute to my mother, I created both an endowed fund and a charitable gift annuity at BCF to support HopeWell.

  • A Champion and a Gentleman
    Ike Iglehart on horsebackThe moment that changed ‘Ike’ Iglehart’s life happened by chance on a train platform at Baltimore’s Penn Station in 1946.

Our Mission

The Baltimore Community Foundation's mission is to inspire donors to achieve their charitable goals from generation to generation and to improve the quality of life in the Baltimore region through grantmaking, enlightened civic leadership and strategic investments.
Youngsters in Patterson Park get a workout in the neighborhood’s youth soccer league.
One Step Up scholars Sherrone Ricks and Jeane’ Baker celebrate with donors Jonnie-Kay McLean and Norman Morrison.
A Baltimore City student soaks up the sun at North Bay Adventure Camp.
Enjoying the lake at Druid Hill Park. Photo by Middleton Evans.
Dreams do come true: Our Playground at Stadium Place, rebuilt by determined volunteers and generous donors after the original was destroyed by arson. The work was supported by a fund at BCF. 

BCF’s efforts through the Diversity Path will work to rebuild Baltimore’s black middle class.

Baltimore’s vibrant arts and cultural scene boasts innovative projects like the Contemporary Museum’s Mobtown Modern Music Series, which combines classical instruments, jarring visual components and DJ-style electronics into informal performances of works by modern composers. Photo by Robert McIver Photography.
Cyclists atop Federal Hill take in views of the city skyline and bustling Inner Harbor. Photo by Middleton Evans.
Collecting butterflies in the field for a nature study.
In the spring of 2009, an army of dedicated volunteers worked to rebuild Our Playground at Stadium Place, which had been destroyed by arson in September 2008. Photo by Kristine Buls.
Enjoying one of the simple pleasures of summer at a neighborhood camp.
BCF’s Human Services Path emphasizes health, aging, and family economic security.
Neighbors team up to beautify and reclaim a vacant lot.
Most Middle Grades Partnership scholars qualify for the city’s competitive high schools.
Rapid and reliable public transportation for our region is a central goal of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, a fund of BCF. Photo by P.A. Greene.
Children beat the heat in the waters of the Walter Sondheim Fountain at the Inner Harbor. Contributions to construct the memorial were collected through a special project fund at BCF. Photo by Will Kirk, courtesy of Homewood Photography.
Students at Great Kids Farm learn about local food production, from “seed to fork.”
Baltimore’s successful One Plus One recycling program has engaged residents in making the city cleaner and greener.
Baltimore City students and farm manager Greg Strella (far right) with the summer harvest at Great Kids Farm.
Students at Baltimore’s Friendship Academy of Engineering and Technology, one of many public charter schools helping to transform public education in our city. Photo by Stephen Jones, courtesy of Baltimore City Public Schools.
BCF’s Promoting Baltimore Path works to ensure that Baltimore continues to retain and attract citizens and businesses.
Experience-Corps Baltimore places older adult volunteers in struggling city elementary schools to serve as classroom aides, mentors, and tutors. Photograph by Michael Ciesielski, courtesy of Greater Homewood Community Corporation, Inc.

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