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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 $1,500 to $50,000. Its grantmaking program primarily benefits the residents of the greater Baltimore area.

Since 1985, the Baltimore Community Foundation has provided administrative support to the Baker Fund.

Director:
Melissa Warlow

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

Eligibility:

Cultural 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 believes that arts and culture play a central role in the development and growth of healthy individuals and thriving communities and commits its resources to promote and sustain a vibrant arts and culture sector in metropolitan Baltimore. Its grants support organizational effectiveness and provide cultural experiences that welcome people of all backgrounds, enrich residents’ lives, strengthen the region’s sense of cohesion and identity, promote local artists and their work, and make the metropolitan area a desirable place to live.

Funding Priorities:
  1. Strengthening Organizational and Artistic Practices
    • Capacity programs to improve internal organizational and management practices—including training, strategic and financial planning, fundraising and marketing practices, professional development, technology upgrades and operating support for key partners.
    • With submission of a full proposal, qualified applicants may apply for working capital reserve or fixed asset replacement reserve funds. See Reserve Fund Grant Program Description and Application below.
    • Non-profit programs offering professional development opportunities for artists
    • Small grants for facility enhancements
  2. Innovative Programs
    • Diverse, innovative programming initiatives to engage audiences
    • Small program grants (up to $1,500) for nonprofit arts organizations with budgets under $75,000 or their fiscal agents requiring description of the organization and proposed project, project budget, most recent year-end organizational budget, current organizational budget, list of board members and their roles, current Maryland Cultural Data report in Baker format, and the organization’s or fiscal agent’s IRS Determination Letter. Application Form not required. Requests accepted year-round.
    • Non-profit programs commissioning original works of art, performances or exhibitions of regional artists to be presented for the benefit of metropolitan Baltimore audiences
  3. Advancing Cultural Sector Collaboration
    • Strategic alliances that strengthen organizational abilities to work at the highest levels and support collaboration and cooperation across the cultural community.
The Baker Fund does not generally support the following types of requests:
  • Multi-year funding, annual appeals, event sponsorships, capital (except for its Reserve Fund Grant Program) or endowment campaigns
  • Replacement of decreased public sector funds
  • Services outside the greater Baltimore area
No grants will be made for religious purposes, or directly to individuals or to organizations that discriminate against individuals or groups defined by race, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, political persuasion or physical ability.

How to apply:

Please submit a two-page letter of inquiry with basic background on your organization, the identified need(s) your project proposes to address, an overview of the proposed project, and the amount you intend to request. Letters of inquiry must be received one month prior to the proposal deadline(s) listed below and may be mailed or sent by email to:

Melissa Warlow
Baltimore Community Foundation
2 East Read Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
mwarlow@bakerfund.org

If there is a match between your project and the mission of the William G. Baker Jr. Memorial Fund, the Director will invite you to submit a full application.

Deadlines:

  • January 04, 2013 For consideration at the March 07, 2013 board meeting.
  • April 05, 2013 For consideration at the June 20, 2013 board meeting.
  • July 12, 2013 For consideration at the September 26, 2013 board meeting.
  • October 04, 2013 For consideration at the December 12, 2013 board meeting.

Contact:

For questions or further information, contact:

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

Special notes:

If you are invited to submit a proposal, please complete the following:
  1. 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.
  2. Download the Application Form and fill out as indicated.
  3. Download a Grant Evaluation Chart and fill out as indicated.
  4. Email one (1) electronic collated copy to Melissa Warlow.
  5. If asked to submit a full proposal, you may also apply for the Reserve Fund Grant Program. Download the program description and application and if qualified, fill out as indicated.
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Enjoying the lake at Druid Hill Park. Photo by Middleton Evans.
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Baltimore City students and farm manager Greg Strella (far right) with the summer harvest at Great Kids Farm.
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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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