BCF’s Neighborhoods Path rests primarily on two flagship initiatives: the Neighborhood Grants Program, which offers small grants to community groups in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, and Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc., created by BCF in 2003 to bolster strong but undervalued city neighborhoods in order to provide stability and equity for middle class homeowners and to build the city’s tax base.

Both successful programs are based on community organizing principles, and the power of those principles and the success of our work in neighborhoods is making a clear imprint on other paths of Invest in Baltimore.

See Our Recent GrantsWe have intentionally aligned our Neighborhoods and Environment paths in several ways:

  • We are finding ways to make our small neighborhood grants for greening projects more effective, partnering with Parks & People Foundation to provide expert advice and assistance to grantees;
  • Taking a community organizing approach to city-wide environmental issues through the Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge;
  • Building on our successful model of small neighborhood grants with the new “Recycling More” grants program to encourage community groups to try creative ideas to increase recycling among their neighbors.

We blurred the line between our Neighborhoods and Arts and Culture paths, too, with the Kresge Arts in Baltimore grants program, which funds grassroots arts projects that aim to unite communities, address pressing social issues, and uplift spirits in difficult times.

If there is a single unifying principle to BCF’s work, it is a belief in informed citizen action: the power of neighbors, working together, to effect change.

Please note: We are refining our priorities for strategic grantmaking. During this transition, we will not be accepting proposals for grants from the paths of Invest in Baltimore. Many special grant programs, including our Neighborhood Grants Program, remain open to proposals at this time. Find out more.

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.

Walking dogs in Charles Village

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