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Baltimore Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$37.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Baltimore Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Approximately $37 million in total charitable distributions
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Up to 3 months
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $20,000 (typical)
  • Geographic Focus: Baltimore City and Baltimore County, MD

Contact Details

Overview

Founded in 1972 by prominent business leaders including Robert G. Merrick and Joseph Meyerhoff, the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) has grown from modest beginnings to become a major philanthropic force in the Baltimore region with over $314 million in total assets. The foundation manages over 300 charitable funds and has distributed more than $737 million to support over 8,900 organizations throughout its history. Under the leadership of Dr. Shanaysha Sauls, who became the first woman and person of color CEO in 2018, BCF focuses on inspiring donors to achieve their charitable goals while improving quality of life in the Baltimore region through strategic grantmaking, civic leadership, and targeted investments.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Stronger Schools Grants: $1,000 - $20,000 (focus on kindergarten readiness, student mental health, and school climate)
  • Stronger Neighborhoods Grants: $1,000 - $20,000 (community-driven improvement projects)
  • Baltimore City Community Grants: Variable amounts for city-specific initiatives
  • Baltimore Women's Giving Circle: Has granted $8.4 million to over 215 organizations since 2001
  • Black Philanthropy Circle: Reached $1 million in total grants
  • Mini-grants through specialized funds: Up to $3,500 (e.g., Mitzvah Fund)

Priority Areas

  • School leadership development and kindergarten readiness
  • Neighborhood revitalization and resident-led community projects
  • Early childhood education and Judy Centers
  • Student mental health and school climate improvement
  • Arts and green/environmental projects
  • Policy change advocacy
  • Support for small businesses and entrepreneurs

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, BCF requires all applicants to:

  • Be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or work with qualified fiscal sponsors
  • Serve Baltimore City or Baltimore County residents
  • Partner with school leaders for education-related grants

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Dr. Shanaysha M. Sauls (since 2018) - First woman and person of color to lead BCF, bringing a vision of community-centered philanthropy

Board Chair: Thomas Bozzuto

Key Staff Areas: Community Investment, Communications, Grant Programs, Investment Committee

BCF has a history of incubating innovative programs, with over 50 initiatives eventually spinning off into independent 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation operates with a strategic grantmaking committee that meets several times yearly to review proposals.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

BCF offers an online application portal with two tracks:

  • First-time applicants
  • Returning applicants

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with specific deadlines for the 2025-2026 cycle:

  • December 12, 2025
  • March 25, 2026
  • July 20, 2026
  • September 23, 2026

Decision Timeline

  • Review process takes up to 3 months
  • Strategic Grantmaking Committee meets several times yearly
  • Notifications sent after committee review

Success Rates

BCF received a record 182 grant applications for the Baltimore Women's Giving Circle alone in recent cycles, indicating highly competitive funding. Specific overall success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations can reapply in subsequent grant cycles. BCF encourages unsuccessful applicants to strengthen their proposals based on feedback.

Application Success Factors

BCF specifically advises applicants to "Show us you are an expert" by:

  • Clearly defining measurable impact: Use specific metrics like Kindergarten Readiness Assessment scores, attendance rates, or behavioral data
  • Demonstrating community collaboration: Proposals developed in partnership with school leaders receive priority
  • Providing strong data: Include evidence of need and potential for change
  • Including letters of support: Particularly important for school-related proposals
  • Aligning with school/community goals: Must demonstrate how project supports expressed priorities of school leaders or community members
  • Focusing on sustainability: Show how impact will continue beyond the grant period

For Stronger Schools grants specifically, successful applications measure impact through:

  • Academic progress indicators
  • Kindergarten Readiness Assessment results
  • Attendance rate improvements
  • Behavioral data changes
  • Student/parent perception surveys

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Partnership is essential: Education grants must be developed with and supported by school leadership - solo efforts rarely succeed
  • Data-driven proposals win: BCF values specific metrics and measurable outcomes over general aspirations
  • Community voice matters: Resident-led and community-driven projects receive priority consideration
  • Plan for 3-month review: Submit applications well before project start dates to accommodate review timeline
  • Typical awards are $20,000: While smaller grants ($1,000-$5,000) are available, budget requests should align with typical award amounts
  • Geographic focus is strict: Must directly serve Baltimore City or Baltimore County residents
  • Consider specialized funds: BCF manages multiple giving circles and specialized funds that may offer better alignment for specific projects

References

  • Baltimore Community Foundation Official Website (www.bcf.org) - Accessed December 2024
  • BCF Grant Programs and Application Information (www.bcf.org/grants) - Accessed December 2024
  • BCF About and History Pages (www.bcf.org/about) - Accessed December 2024
  • BCF Impact and Annual Report Information (www.bcf.org/impact) - Accessed December 2024
  • BCF Stronger Schools Grant Guidelines (www.bcf.org/stronger-schools-grants) - Accessed December 2024
  • ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Baltimore Community Foundation Form 990 Data - Accessed December 2024
  • GuideStar Profile for Baltimore Community Foundation (EIN: 23-7180620) - Accessed December 2024
  • BCF News and Recent Grant Announcements (www.bcf.org/news) - Accessed December 2024
  • Baltimore Women's Giving Circle Leadership Article (www.bcf.org/about/leadership) - Accessed December 2024
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