Baltimore Community Foundation
Contact information:
2 East Read Street
Baltimore, MD 21202-6903
Phone: 410-332-4171
Fax: 410-837-4701
Website: http://www.bcf.org/
Type of foundation: Community
Types of grants: Project, risk capital, consulting, scholarships.
Description: The Foundation includes more than 600 different charitable funds, most of which are donor-advised. The Foundation’s Invest in Baltimore program offers competitive grants. It is currently being restructured. As of 2012, it will focus on education and neighborhoods.
In October 2011, the Foundation announced an $8 million gift to establish an endowment for education. The gift is expected to generate approximately $400,000 annually for education in the Baltimore region (roughly doubling the Foundation’s annual investment in education).
The Foundation includes several funds that offer competitive grants in areas including education, the arts, health, civic engagement and support for disadvantaged communities.
Sample grants (the Foundation does not specify which are discretionary):
- $110,000 to Maryland Workforce Corporation for the Maryland Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Initiative (2010).
- $94,400+ in multiple grants to Your Public Radio Corporation (WYPR/Baltimore) (2008).
- $19,750 to Job Opportunities Task Force for Disconnected Youth in Maryland project (2008).
- $18,566 to Wide Angle Community Media (2008).
- $5,000 to National Public Radio (2008).
- $3,000 to Producers Club of Maryland (2008).
- $2,175 to WBJC-FM (2008).
Fit for public broadcasting: Public media is receiving grants through donor-advised funds at the Baltimore Community Foundation. In addition, the Invest in Baltimore Fund may well hold opportunities for public media, especially for projects focused on education and neighborhoods, including dropout prevention.
Eligibility: Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status or have a qualified fiscal sponsor. Organizations applying for competitive grants must be located in or benefit residents of Baltimore City or Baltimore County (headquarters may be located elsewhere). The Baltimore Community Foundation does not generally fund the following:
- Annual fund campaigns.
- Capital campaigns.
- Individuals, excluding scholarships.
- Event sponsorships.
Deadline: Deadlines vary by grant opportunity.
How to apply: Organizations should begin by completing the online eligibility quiz. The next step is to submit a letter of inquiry.
Giving range: Typical grant size from discretionary funds is $10,000 to $15,000; the range is $5,000 to $30,000. The Foundation is usually not the primary source of funding for any project.
Assets: $149 million (2009)
Total giving: $22 million, including donor-advised funds (2010)
View 2009-2010 Annual Report.
