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France-Merrick Foundation

Annual Giving
$9.3M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.5M
Decision Time
2mo

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France-Merrick Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $9.3 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $213 million
  • Grant Range: $100 - $500,000
  • Median Grant: $10,000
  • Total Grants Awarded: 218
  • Decision Time: Monthly (under $50k); Quarterly (over $50k)
  • Geographic Focus: Maryland, primarily greater Baltimore area
  • Application Method: Rolling (under $50k); Fixed deadlines (over $50k)

Contact Details

Address: Village of Cross Keys, 1 Village Square, Suite 131, Baltimore, MD 21210

Phone: (410) 464-2004

Website: https://www.france-merrickfdn.org/

Grants Administrator: Nate Kalb - nkalb@france-merrickfdn.org

Programme Officers:

Overview

The France-Merrick Foundation has supported the Baltimore region for over six decades. Created through the 1998 merger of the Jacob and Annita France Foundation (1959) and the Robert G. and Anne M. Merrick Foundation (1962), the foundation operates as a private grant-making organisation devoted to making the Baltimore region vibrant and diverse. With total assets of $213 million, the foundation invested nearly $10 million across 218 grants. The foundation's mission is to "invest in non-profit organisations to enrich the quality of life across Baltimore and beyond through grantmaking and collaborative efforts," with a vision for "an equitable, vibrant, and sustainable Baltimore community where people and places flourish." The foundation operates on four core values: collaboration, learning, impact, and integrity, with an explicit commitment to advancing racial equity through its grantmaking, governance, operating practices, and investment policies.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Traditional Grantmaking (Rolling and Quarterly Cycles)

  • Requests Under $50,000: Rolling basis with monthly decisions
  • Requests Over $50,000: Quarterly cycle with specific deadlines
  • Grant Range: $100 - $500,000 (median: $10,000)

Meet the Moment Fund

  • Special initiative representing up to 40% of annual distribution
  • Responds to impacts of recent public policy changes on Baltimore residents and nonprofits
  • Two focus areas:
    • Gap Support: Short-term financial support for nonprofits with operational sustainability plans
    • Strategic Response Support: For nonprofits or collaboratives addressing dramatic organisational or sector changes
  • Expedited review process with rolling acceptance and monthly decisions
  • Previous and existing France-Merrick grantees prioritised

Priority Areas

The foundation funds across six main areas:

Civic & Culture: Arts organisations, museums, cultural institutions, theatres, and jazz centres (examples: B&O Railroad Museum - $300,000; Creative Alliance - $100,000)

Community & Economic Development: Workforce development, affordable housing, corner store renovations, community facilities (examples: Bon Secours Baltimore Foundation - $200,000 for 20 historic row home renovations; Per Scholas - $150,000 for training centre expansion)

Environment: Stormwater management, habitat restoration, trail development, composting infrastructure, bioretention projects (examples: Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - $200,000; Pearlstone Center - $150,000)

Education: STEM programmes, apprenticeships, school facility improvements, nursing education, arts education (examples: JHU School of Nursing - $500,000; Arts For Learning - $120,000)

Health & Human Services: Primary care facilities, food access, housing services, health model pilots (examples: Park West Health System - $200,000; Franciscan Center - $150,000)

Historic Preservation: Building restorations, archaeological research, museum renovations, historic window replacements (examples: Mount Vernon Place Conservancy - $200,000; Great Blacks in Wax Museum - $100,000)

What They Prefer

  • One-time, project-oriented requests with defined beginnings and endings (opposed to annual giving or ongoing operational support)
  • Shovel-ready projects rather than pre-development or early capital
  • Capital projects: Many grants support new construction or renovations of existing buildings
  • Sustainable building practices and energy conservation measures for construction/renovation projects
  • Organisations demonstrating:
    • Financial stability to sustain the funded project
    • Adequate administrative capacity
    • Programme effectiveness with defined evaluation criteria and expected outcomes

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual applicants
  • Special events or advertising
  • Debt reduction/deficit financing
  • Political activities
  • General operating expenses or annual support (except through Meet the Moment Fund)

Governance and Leadership

President: Amy M. Gross - Responsible for operational, administrative, fiscal and fiduciary functions whilst working with the Board and committees to achieve strategic vision and goals

Director of Finance and Administration: Ken Rutherford - krutherford@france-merrickfdn.org

Senior Programme Officers:

  • Erin O'Keefe
  • Elizabeth Perriello Rice

Programme Officer: Gary Williams

Grants Administrator: Nate Kalb

Executive Assistant: Nichele Belton

The foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees (specific members not publicly listed), which works with the President and staff to set strategic direction. The foundation operates with transparency and maintains ethical decision-making and inclusive practices aligned with its commitment to racial equity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

All applications begin with a 1-3 page Letter of Inquiry submitted through the foundation's online portal. Organisations must create an account at the grant submission platform.

LOI Requirements:

  • Official letterhead
  • Signature from CEO/Executive Director
  • Legal organisation name, mailing address, and 501(c)(3) Tax ID
  • Contact details for primary point of contact
  • Brief organisational description (mission, populations served, budget)
  • Project description and funding request amount
  • Project timeline and fundraising gap information

LOI Acceptance: Rolling basis year-round

Staff Acknowledgment: Within 24 hours on business days

Step 2: Full Proposal (If Invited)

Applicants notified within 10 days of closing date whether a proposal will be invited. Those selected receive proposal guidelines and approximately one month to prepare full proposal.

Standard Requirements:

  • Project budget
  • Organisational budget
  • Board list
  • Audit
  • Programme officer typically conducts site visit

Format Flexibility: The foundation accepts proposals created for other funders as long as they address all France-Merrick questions.

Decision Timeline

For Requests Under $50,000:

  • Decisions communicated monthly (typically first week of month)
  • One month to prepare proposal after LOI approval
  • Approximately 1-2 months total from LOI to decision

For Requests Over $50,000:

  • Quarterly cycle with specific deadlines
  • Approximately four rounds per year
  • LOI closing dates typically in December, February, May, and August
  • Proposal due dates typically 6-7 weeks after LOI closing
  • Decision months typically March, June, October, and January

Meet the Moment Fund: Expedited review process with rolling acceptance and monthly decisions

Post-Approval:

  • Grant recipients sign agreements outlining reporting obligations
  • Payments process within one month of signed agreements
  • Final reports typically due one year after final payment

Reapplication Policy

Organisations must complete a two-year waiting period after the final payment of a previous grant before reapplying for new funding. This is a firm requirement that applicants should factor into their funding planning.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Project-Oriented Focus: The foundation explicitly states it "favours one-time, project-oriented requests which have defined beginnings and endings, as opposed to annual giving or ongoing operational support." Successful applications clearly define project scope, timeline, and measurable outcomes.

Shovel-Ready Capital Projects: The foundation prioritises projects ready for immediate implementation over pre-development work. Review of sample grants shows strong preference for capital improvements with concrete deliverables.

Sustainability and Capacity: Applicants must demonstrate "financial stability to sustain the funded project" and "adequate administrative capacity." The foundation wants assurance that projects will succeed and continue beyond the grant period.

Alignment with Equity Commitment: The foundation actively works towards advancing racial equity. Applications should demonstrate how projects contribute to equity goals and serve diverse Baltimore communities.

Collaboration and Community Impact: As one of the foundation's core values, applications that show collaborative approaches and clear community benefit align with their mission to create "an equitable, vibrant, and sustainable Baltimore community where people and places flourish."

Evidence from Recent Grants

Recent awards demonstrate the foundation's priorities:

  • Substantial capital investments: $300,000 to B&O Railroad Museum for new entrance; $200,000 to Mount Vernon Place Conservancy for park restoration
  • Accessibility improvements: Multiple grants include accessibility enhancements (Baltimore Theater Project wheelchair lifts, Creative Alliance accessibility features)
  • Workforce and economic development: $150,000 to Per Scholas for training centre expansion; $200,000 to Bon Secours for affordable homeownership
  • Environmental sustainability: $200,000 to Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; $150,000 to Pearlstone Center for bioretention
  • Healthcare access: $500,000 to JHU School of Nursing for neighbourhood nursing model; $200,000 to Park West Health System

Process Tips

Start Early: Due to limited resources, the foundation "cannot request proposals from all enquiries that meet our criteria." Strong LOIs are critical for advancing to full proposal stage.

Geographic Focus Matters: Whilst the foundation serves Maryland broadly, it "primarily" focuses on greater Baltimore area. Projects in this core area may have stronger positioning.

Flexible Application Format: The foundation accepts proposals created for other funders, reducing application burden for organisations approaching multiple funders.

Relationship Building: Site visits are typical for invited proposals. This is an opportunity to demonstrate organisational capacity and build relationships with programme officers.

Two-Year Cycle: Plan ahead for the mandatory two-year waiting period between grants. Organisations should not expect to receive France-Merrick support annually.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on capital projects with clear beginning and end: The foundation strongly prefers one-time, project-oriented requests over operational support. Capital improvements to facilities are particularly well-represented in recent awards.

  • Demonstrate Baltimore impact: With nearly $10 million distributed annually across 218 grants primarily in greater Baltimore, the foundation is a major regional player. Show deep understanding of Baltimore community needs and how your project addresses them.

  • Emphasise sustainability and readiness: The foundation prioritises "shovel-ready" projects and requires demonstration of financial stability and administrative capacity. Show you're ready to execute and sustain results.

  • Align with equity values: The foundation has an explicit commitment to advancing racial equity across all operations. Applications should demonstrate how projects contribute to equitable outcomes for diverse communities.

  • Understand the two-tier process: Under $50,000 moves faster (monthly decisions, rolling basis); over $50,000 follows quarterly cycle. Choose request amount strategically based on your timeline needs.

  • Plan for two-year intervals: The mandatory two-year waiting period between grants means France-Merrick cannot be an annual funder. Build relationships during the funded period to position for future support.

  • Consider Meet the Moment Fund if eligible: Previous and existing grantees have priority access to this special fund addressing policy change impacts. If your organisation fits this category and has been affected by recent policy shifts, this may be an excellent opportunity.

References

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