Effective resident leaders are vital to building strong neighborhoods. BCF will support programs – citywide or neighborhood-based – in Baltimore City and Baltimore County that support the development of leaders of all ages who are working to improve their neighborhoods and schools.

Proposals can be from community, umbrella and intermediary organizations, which seek to develop youth and resident leadership capacity. Our support is intended to help identify, activate, inform and network leaders. This includes, but is not limited to:

• training sessions, workshops and peer learning opportunities that equip residents with the skills, knowledge and networks necessary to be effective leaders; and
• youth leadership programs through which young people develop leadership, advocacy, and/or project implementation skills.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

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BCF seeks to use its grantmaking resources to invest in projects that affect two promising areas of Baltimore anchored by outstanding schools on Baltimore’s west side: Howard Park /Forest Park (Calvin Rodwell Elem/Middle and Liberty Elementary) and Reservoir Hill/Penn North (Dorothy Heights Elementary).

At these schools, and in the neighborhoods surrounding them, BCF will support projects and activities designed to make the communities safe, clean, green, and vibrant, and improve the quality of the schools.

The potential projects which BCF could fund are broad: Some may be neighborhood-focused, some school-focused, and others collaborative projects between the schools and their respective communities. BCF will gather input from community stakeholders about what BCF could do to best support their goals for their schools and their neighborhoods. Examples of what we could fund include, but are not limited to: 

• projects that build strong social networks in neighborhoods 
• projects that build the capacity of community-based organizations;
• community organizing and the execution of action agendas;
• professional and leadership development; 
• community and school marketing; 
• projects that increase accessibility and inclusiveness to the school and community;
• projects that cultivate belonging and safety in and around the school (neighborhood);
• projects that improve school readiness, student achievement, school climate and/or access to enrichment activities; and 
• projects that increase parent and community engagement with the school and community.

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Meaningful and lasting change happens when people team up to improve their schools and communities. Through the School + Community Projects grant program, BCF will fund projects in which schools (students, parents, teachers, etc.) collaborate with the surrounding community (residents, neighborhood associations, and institutions in the area surrounding a school). We will accept proposals from school-community partnerships in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. 

Proposals must demonstrate a partnership between school and community that builds and/or strengthens relationships. Projects we will support include, but are not limited to:

• volunteer projects and/or programs that bring community into school buildings to participate and engage with the school’s students;
• efforts outside of the school building that connect students to the residents in the neighborhoods that surround their school. Activities might include: organizing/mobilizing students, school personnel and neighbors around important issues, community cleanups, peer mentoring amongst youth and intergenerational activities with senior citizens in/from the community; and 
• joint trips, learning events or social activities that foster connection outside of the physical school community.

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Our Neighborhood Grants offers different types of small grants to resident-led projects all over Baltimore City and Baltimore County. These grants give residents the resources they need to accomplish a small project, get more people involved, and encourage the next generation of neighborhood leaders.

Examples of past projects include, but are not limited to: 

• community safety programs; 
• neighborhood events;
• neighborhood beautification activities;
• organizational development; 
• community gardens, tree planting and other cleaning and greening projects; and
• volunteer activities with neighborhood youth.

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We believe that attracting and retaining effective and diverse school leaders is a key lever for change in Baltimore’s educational landscape. Therefore, we are continuing our commitment to funding school leadership development efforts at the district and individual school level. 

We are interested in proposals that focus on principal coaching, mentoring, peer networking, wellness/self-care, as well as pipelines that identify and develop new leaders. We will also continue to support efforts that build a culture of appreciation and encouragement for school leaders.

Additionally, we will build on the findings articulated in a school effectiveness study that we commissioned from the Baltimore Education Research Consortium (BERC). That research suggests that there are six key areas on which adults can focus to drive outcomes for students. We will welcome proposals that support school leaders to act on these key drivers, especially efforts that create and maintain a welcoming school environment for parents and partners. 

Learn more about the six drivers here

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High quality early childhood education has a lifelong effect on students. Through our Early Learning grant program, BCF will support programming that will support Baltimore City and County’s youngest learners and their families get the start they need. 

BCF does this through supporting Judy Centers at both the school and district levels. Judy Centers improve the wellbeing, social-emotional learning, and literacy and numeracy for children ages 0 to 5 and their families by providing both academic and non-academic supports. 

Our Judy Center investment is made in partnership with the Baltimore City Public Schools and the Maryland State Department of Education. Nonprofit organizations that offer programs and/or services to Judy Centers are encouraged to contact the centers directly to explore partnership opportunities.

We are also interested in developing system-wide early childhood education programming for students and families in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Examples of what we will support include, but are not limited to:

• professional development for Head Start teachers, pre-K and K teachers, and/or child care providers;
• improved service delivery and coordination of services to children ages 0 to 5 and their families across all sectors;
• implementation of best practices and innovative strategies that lead to improved school readiness in low-income communities and communities of color;
• efforts that support a parent, family or guardian’s capacity for adult-child connectedness, advocacy, and/or leadership; and
• research projects

The Baker-King Foundation was incorporated in 1954 by John T. King, Jr., M.D., a Baltimore physician, and his wife Charlotte Baker King. Generally, the fund has supported non-profits operating in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area. Particular emphasis is on medical, educational and child welfare organizations. Grants awarded range from $500 to $2,500. To apply, please send a letter and supporting documents with your request via e-mail to bakerkingfundbcf@gmail.com

Areas of interest: Medicine, education, and child welfare.

The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund was established in 1964 by Mary S. Baker in memory of her husband. Awarding grants that range from $1,500 to $50,000 the Baker Fund continues its founders' civic-minded philanthropic tradition benefiting the residents of the greater Baltimore area.

Areas of interest: Arts and culture.

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Areas of interest: Promote self-sufficiency for women and their families.

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. Programs primarily serving serve women and their families living in Baltimore City or Baltimore County.

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Areas of interest: Arts, education, and health (HIV/AIDS and cancer).

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, serving the Baltimore area that do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, national origin, color, physical handicap, gender or sexual orientation.

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Areas of interest: Funding for camperships that give disadvantaged and disabled metropolitan Baltimore children the benefits of a summer camp experience.

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, that operate a day or residential summer camp program.

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The Mitzvah Fund for Good Deeds provides mini-grants to nonprofit organizations serving Baltimore City to facilitate their good works in neighborhoods and schools. Organizations must have a total budget less than $250,000; Apply for a project whose budget is no more than $10,000.

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Areas of interest: Programs in mental health, aging, health, and higher education.

Eligibility: Organizations (or their fiscal agents) 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.

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