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The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation

Annual Giving
$30.8M
Grant Range
$1K - $100.0M

The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $30.8 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $378 million
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $100,000,000
  • Median Grant: $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Baltimore, Maryland (primary), with some broader Maryland support
  • Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Email: info@bisciotti.org
Website: https://www.bisciotti.org/
Location: Baltimore, MD

Organizations aligned with the Foundation's priorities may submit brief descriptions of their work to the email address above. However, this does not constitute a formal application process.

Overview

Established in 2001 by Stephen J. Bisciotti (owner of the Baltimore Ravens) and his wife Renee, The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation has grown to become one of Baltimore's most significant philanthropic organizations with assets exceeding $378 million. The Foundation's mission is to "promote entrepreneurship, expand resources to underserved communities, and reduce the opportunity gap." With a strong geographic focus on Baltimore, the Foundation has made transformative investments in education, healthcare workforce development, life sciences innovation, and community infrastructure. Recent landmark grants include $100 million to launch Blackbird Laboratories (a life sciences accelerator), $20 million for nursing workforce development, and $30 million across three college access programs. The Foundation operates through an invitation-only model, proactively identifying and building relationships with organizations whose programs align with its strategic priorities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation does not operate structured grant programs with fixed application cycles. Instead, it makes strategic investments through an invitation-only process. Recent major initiatives include:

  • Healthcare Workforce Development: $5 million grants to major Baltimore hospital systems (MedStar Health, University of Maryland Medical System, Johns Hopkins Health System, Mercy Medical Center) for nursing recruitment, training, and retention
  • Life Sciences Innovation: $100 million founding grant to Blackbird Laboratories for commercializing academic research and building Baltimore's entrepreneurial ecosystem
  • College Access Programs: $10 million commitments to College Track, College Bound Foundation, and Bridges Baltimore for comprehensive college completion support
  • HBCU Scholarships: $4 million Ozzie Newsome Scholars Program supporting Baltimore City Public Schools graduates attending Maryland HBCUs
  • Capital Campaigns: Multi-million dollar investments in community infrastructure (e.g., $8 million to Boys & Girls Clubs for Hilton Recreation Center, $8 million to Associated Catholic Charities for Greater Promise Capital Campaign)

Grant sizes range dramatically from $1,000 to $100 million, with a median grant of $50,000. In 2024, the Foundation made 63 grants totaling $30.8 million.

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on four core areas:

  1. Education: College access and completion programs, HBCU support, educational equity initiatives, K-12 mentorship programs
  2. Mentorship: Long-term commitment programs supporting youth development and career pathways
  3. Community Development: Capital campaigns for community facilities, neighborhood revitalization, capacity building for nonprofits
  4. Workforce Development: Healthcare workforce training, technology and entrepreneurship ecosystem building, career preparation programs

The Foundation shows particular interest in:

  • Programs serving underserved and underrepresented communities in Baltimore
  • Initiatives that create systemic change rather than short-term solutions
  • Organizations with proven track records and strong leadership
  • Projects with potential for significant community impact
  • Entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems
  • Roman Catholic organizations and faith-based community services

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the Foundation's giving patterns indicate limited support for:

  • Organizations outside Maryland (with rare exceptions)
  • One-time events or programs without sustainable impact
  • General operating support for organizations not strategically aligned with their mission
  • Individual scholarships (except through partner organizations)
  • Arts and culture (not a stated priority area)

Governance and Leadership

Renee F. Bisciotti serves as President, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Foundation. Stephen J. Bisciotti, owner of the Baltimore Ravens and co-founder of Aerotek/Allegis Group, serves as Director. Both founders serve without compensation, demonstrating hands-on engagement with their philanthropic work.

Stephen Bisciotti is also a board member of Catholic Charities, reflecting his commitment to faith-based community service. His business background in building Allegis Group (one of the world's largest staffing and recruiting companies) informs the Foundation's focus on workforce development and entrepreneurship.

Leadership Quotes

On the Blackbird Laboratories initiative, Stephen Bisciotti stated: "Baltimore is a city where great people do great things – we want to help build a thriving technology ecosystem on that strong foundation."

On nursing workforce investment: "Nurses are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, and investing in them ensures we have skilled, dependable professionals who keep it running smoothly."

These quotes reveal the Foundation's dual focus on both recognizing Baltimore's existing strengths and investing in infrastructure to amplify community impact.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation does not have a public application process. The Foundation operates an invitation-only model and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals.

According to the Foundation's website: "The Foundation identifies and builds relationships with organizations whose programs and initiatives complement its strategies." Organizations aligned with the Foundation's priorities may submit brief descriptions of their work to info@bisciotti.org, but this does not constitute a formal application and does not guarantee consideration for funding.

The Foundation may extend proposal invitations throughout the year to organizations it has identified as strategically aligned. An invitation to submit a proposal does not guarantee funding approval, and all submitted proposals receive thorough evaluation.

Getting on Their Radar

The Foundation identifies potential partners through:

  • Board and Leadership Networks: Stephen Bisciotti's involvement with Catholic Charities and the Baltimore Ravens organization provides pathways for identifying community needs and effective organizations
  • Strategic Partnerships: The Foundation often partners with the Baltimore Ravens organization and other major philanthropies (e.g., M&T Bank) on joint initiatives, suggesting that collaboration with existing partners may provide visibility
  • Community Impact: Organizations demonstrating significant impact in Baltimore's underserved communities, particularly in the Foundation's four priority areas, are more likely to be noticed
  • Proven Track Record: The Foundation invests in established organizations with strong leadership and measurable outcomes rather than new or experimental programs

Organizations seeking to build relationships should focus on demonstrating excellence in education, mentorship, community development, or workforce development within Baltimore, and should consider how their work aligns with the Foundation's stated mission to "promote entrepreneurship, expand resources to underserved communities, and reduce the opportunity gap."

Decision Timeline

Given the invitation-only nature of the Foundation, decision timelines vary significantly based on the strategic importance and complexity of the proposed initiative. Large capital campaigns and transformative initiatives (like the $100 million Blackbird Laboratories grant) likely involve extended evaluation and relationship-building periods. Specific timeline information is not publicly available.

Success Rates

With 63 grants made from an invitation-only pool in 2024, traditional success rate metrics do not apply. Organizations that receive invitations to submit proposals are already highly vetted, suggesting a relatively high approval rate for invited proposals compared to typical competitive grant processes.

Reapplication Policy

Given the relationship-based, invitation-only model, there is no formal reapplication policy. Organizations that have received funding may continue relationships with the Foundation for additional support if their work remains strategically aligned.

Application Success Factors

While the Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, understanding what attracts their attention is valuable:

  1. Geographic Alignment: Baltimore focus is paramount. The Foundation's mission explicitly centers on its "hometown," and the vast majority of grants support Baltimore-based organizations or programs serving Baltimore residents.

  2. Scale and Transformative Potential: Recent giving patterns show interest in bold, large-scale initiatives that can create systemic change. Examples include the $100 million Blackbird Laboratories grant (building an entire life sciences ecosystem), $20 million nursing workforce initiative (addressing regional healthcare staffing crisis), and $30 million college access investment (comprehensive support for underserved students).

  3. Alignment with Entrepreneurship and Opportunity: The Foundation's mission emphasizes "promoting entrepreneurship" and "reducing the opportunity gap." Programs that create pathways to economic mobility, develop entrepreneurs, or build career opportunities resonate strongly.

  4. Proven Leadership and Track Record: Grant recipients include established institutions (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical System, Catholic Charities) and organizations with demonstrated impact. The Foundation invests in proven performers rather than experimental programs.

  5. Long-term Commitment and Sustainability: Programs like College Track (10-year commitment to students) and Bridges Baltimore (13-year support model) reflect the Foundation's preference for sustained impact over short-term interventions.

  6. Serving Underserved Communities: Recent grants prioritize programs supporting underrepresented populations, first-generation college students, underserved neighborhoods, and communities facing systemic barriers.

  7. Collaborative Potential: Many major grants involve partnerships with other funders (M&T Bank, the Baltimore Ravens organization), suggesting that collaborative initiatives may be particularly attractive.

  8. Capital Campaigns and Infrastructure: The Foundation has supported multiple capital campaigns for community facilities (Boys & Girls Clubs, Catholic Charities), indicating interest in building lasting physical infrastructure.

  9. Workforce Development Innovation: The Foundation's focus on "workforce development" extends beyond traditional job training to include healthcare workforce, technology entrepreneurship, and creating career pathways in emerging sectors.

  10. Connection to Baltimore Ravens: While not required, several grants involve partnerships with the Ravens organization, suggesting that connections to the Bisciotti family's business interests may provide visibility.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only model means relationship building is essential – Focus on demonstrating excellence in Baltimore rather than pursuing formal applications
  • Think big and transformative – Recent grants average nearly $500,000, with several exceeding $5-20 million; the Foundation seeks systemic impact
  • Baltimore focus is non-negotiable – Virtually all grants serve Baltimore City or Baltimore County; statewide or national organizations must demonstrate clear Baltimore benefit
  • Align with the mission of entrepreneurship and opportunity – Programs should explicitly connect to economic mobility, entrepreneurship, or closing opportunity gaps
  • Demonstrate sustainability and long-term commitment – Multi-year programs with lasting impact are strongly preferred over short-term projects
  • Consider partnership opportunities – Collaborative initiatives with other major funders or the Baltimore Ravens may increase visibility and impact
  • Brief organizational descriptions to info@bisciotti.org – While not a formal application, well-crafted introductions highlighting Baltimore impact and mission alignment may open doors
  • Healthcare, education, and community infrastructure are current priorities – Recent major grants cluster in these areas, suggesting continued strategic focus

References

  1. The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation official website - https://www.bisciotti.org/ (Accessed December 2025)
  2. Grantable Foundation Profile - https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/the-stephen-renee-bisciotti-foundation-us-foundation-522352678 (Accessed December 2025)
  3. Cause IQ Organization Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/stephen-and-renee-bisciotti-foundation,522352678/ (Accessed December 2025)
  4. Baltimore Ravens Press Release: "Ravens and Stephen & Renee Bisciotti Foundation Provide $20 Million Nursing Workforce Grant" - https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-nursing-workforce-grant-steve-bisciotti-foundation-20-million (Accessed December 2025)
  5. Baltimore Ravens Press Release: "Blackbird Laboratories Launches With $100 Million Grant from Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation" - https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/blackbird-laboratories-launches-grant-stephen-renee-bisciotti-foundation (Accessed December 2025)
  6. Baltimore Ravens Press Release: "Ravens, The Stephen And Renee Bisciotti Foundation, And M&T Bank Donate $20 Million to Support College Track's Baltimore Expansion" - https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/press-release-baltimore-ravens-the-stephen-and-renee-bisciotti-foundation-and-m-t-bank-donate-20-million-to-support-college-track-s-baltimore-expansion (Accessed December 2025)
  7. Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures: "Three Research Teams Receive Bisciotti Foundation Translational Fund Grants" - https://ventures.jhu.edu/news/three-research-teams-receive-bisciotti-foundation-translational-fund-grants/ (Accessed December 2025)
  8. PressBox: "Stephen And Renee Bisciotti Foundation To Fund Ozzie Newsome Scholars Program" - https://pressboxonline.com/2021/06/03/stephen-and-renee-bisciotti-foundation-to-fund-ozzie-newsome-scholars-program/ (Accessed December 2025)
  9. Philanthropy News Digest: "Bisciotti Foundation, Ravens commit $5 million to Catholic Charities" - https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/bisciotti-foundation-ravens-commit-5-million-to-catholic-charities (Accessed December 2025)
  10. Baltimore Ravens Press Release: "Ravens, Bisciotti Foundation Commit $20 Million to Baltimore Ravens Boys & Girls Club" - https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-bisciotti-foundation-commit-20-million-baltimore-ravens-boys-girls-club (Accessed December 2025)
  11. Inside Philanthropy: "Stephen and Renee Bisciotti" - https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/major-donors/stephen-and-renee-bisciotti (Accessed December 2025)
  12. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Stephen And Renee Bisciotti Foundation Inc - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/522352678 (Accessed December 2025)
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