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BCF Neighborhoods Path



Background:

Funding available from BCF's Neighborhoods Path is derived from endowments and contributions entrusted by donors to BCF for this or unrestricted purposes.

Related grant programs: Neighborhood Grants Program - Mobilization, Neighborhood Grants Program - Leadership and BCF's Transportation Path

Watch the video about the William Donald Schaefer Civic Fund, an endowment for the Neighborhood Grants Program.

Eligibility:

The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) welcomes grant applications from organizations serving Baltimore City and Baltimore County that are tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Typical Grants:

$10,000

See our recent Neighborhoods Path Grants.

Guidelines:

The strength of our community depends upon participation by all residents in Baltimore’s economic, social, political and cultural arenas. Therefore, BCF seeks to advance the ideals of a welcoming environment, open access and civic engagement—with all of its privileges and responsibilities—in every area of community life.

Baltimore has been known historically as a "city of neighborhoods," providing deep family and community ties for its residents. BCF defines successful neighborhoods as those in which residents are willing to invest time, energy and resources and that are supported by a range of amenities.

BCF believes in a strengthened network of neighborhoods where people choose to live due to the high quality of life and welcoming environment they offer. BCF focuses its investments in supporting informed citizen action, which is at the core of neighborhood revitalization.

Neighborhoods grants focus on:
  • Increasing residents' and businesses' involvement in their communities and nurturing resident leadership;
  • Improving communication among neighbors;
  • Making communities more racially and economically diverse;
  • Improving neighborhood housing markets while preserving affordable housing;
  • Strengthening Baltimore's network of community development organizations.


How to apply:

To apply to the Baltimore Community Foundation for funding, 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 from the Baltimore Community Foundation. Letters of inquiry may be mailed or sent by email to:

Ms. Aisha Samples
Associate Program Officer
Baltimore Community Foundation
2 East Read Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
email: grants@bcf.org

If there is a match between your project and one of our grantmaking programs, the program officer will invite you to submit a full proposal.

The Board of Trustees and its program committees make final grant determinations.

Next Steps:

  • Submit letter of inquiry

Deadlines:

  • We welcome your letters of inquiry throughout the year; if the program officer invites you to submit a proposal she/he will provide a deadline at that time.

Contact:

Aisha Samples
Associate Program Officer
grants@bcf.org
tel:410-332-4172, ext. 145


Special notes:

Invited Proposals
If you are invited to submit a proposal by a Program Officer, you must complete the Grant Application Form and the Evaluation Chart below:

Download Grant Application Form

Download Evaluation Chart

Download Grantee Report Form

More information about BCF’s Neighborhoods Path, funding priorities and resources.

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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.

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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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