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William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund



Background:

The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund was established in 1964 by Mary S. Baker in memory of her husband.

The fund continues the Bakers' civic-minded philanthropic tradition, offering grants that range from $1,000 to $50,000. Its grantmaking program primarily benefits the residents of the greater Baltimore area.

Since 1985, the Fund has been staffed through a contractual relationship with the Baltimore Community Foundation.

Executive Director:
Melissa Warlow

Board of Governors:
Connie E. Imboden, President
Louis R Cestello
Semmes G. Walsh
Steven G. Ziger

Eligibility:

Organizations (or their fiscal agents) serving the Baltimore area that qualify as public charities under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, color, physical handicap, gender or sexual orientation.

Typical Grants:

$10,000

Guidelines:

The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund commits its resources to enhance the region's economy and quality of life through investments in a broadly defined cultural sector in which all residents may participate and thrive. Its grants will support artistic and cultural organizations and their partners that enhance an individual's sense of self and pleasure and make Baltimore a more attractive place to live, work and play.

Funding from the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund will focus on:
  1. Cultural and artistic programs and partnerships to engage those not usually included in the civic dialogue
  2. Inclusive programming initiatives and projects
  3. Programs and projects that incorporate cultural components to enrich urban life
  4. Strategic alliances that support collaboration and cooperation across sectors of the community and strengthen institutional abilities to work at the highest levels.
  5. One time capacity support for internal organizational needs including fundraising assistance, budgeting and financial planning, program planning, legal advice, marketing, staff training and support, technology upgrades and training, strategic planning and other aids to management
  6. Grants for facility enhancements
  7. Non-profit programs to commission original works of art, performances and exhibitions of metropolitan Baltimore artists
  8. Grants to non-profits for awards to local artists in poetry, visual, performing, music, dance and film/video
Low priority will be given to the following requests:
  • Multi-year funding and endowment campaigns
  • Capital funding projects
  • Replacement of decreased public sector funds
  • Annual appeals, event sponsorships or services outside the greater Baltimore area.
No grants will be made to individuals, or for religious/sectarian purposes or deficit financing.

How to apply:

  1. Download Guidelines and follow the included outline.
  2. Grant applicants must complete a Maryland Cultural Data Project data profile and receive a "review complete" status. To allow maximum time for your profile review, enter data from your most recently completed fiscal year as soon as your board-approved audit or financial statement is available.
  3. Download a Grant Evaluation Chart and fill out as indicated. A copy of the completed chart should be saved electronically and emailed to Odessa Hampton.
  4. Submit 4 paper collated copies of your completed application to Melissa Warlow and email 1 electronic collated copy to Odessa Hampton.


Deadlines:

  • July 09, 2010 For consideration at the September 16, 2010 board meeting.
  • October 08, 2010 For consideration at the December 9, 2010 board meeting.

Contact:

For questions or further information, contact:

Melissa Warlow
Executive Director
mwarlow@bakerfund.org
tel:410.332.4172, ext. 150

Odessa Hampton
Program Assistant
mwarlow@bakerfund.org
tel:410.332.4171


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Enjoying the lake at Druid Hill Park. Photo by Middleton Evans.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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