The BCF Community Grants Cycle 2026 is a grant program from the Baltimore Community Foundation that funds community-led nonprofits working to strengthen schools and neighborhoods across the Baltimore region. Since 1972, BCF has deployed over $650 million to programs and organizations in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

The program's two main tracks—Stronger Schools and Stronger Neighborhoods—support kindergarten readiness, student mental health, school climate, neighborhood safety, and community vitality. Typical awards range from $1,000 to $45,000, with a typical grant of $20,000. Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Baltimore City or Baltimore County residents; organizations with fiscal sponsors are also considered.

Multi-year funding is available on a limited basis. The spring 2026 deadline is April 8 and the summer deadline is August 3. Applications are submitted through BCF's online GOapply portal.

Apply for a Grant | Baltimore Community Foundation [](https://www. bcf. org/apply-for-grant/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjMwMDE3IiwidG9nZ2xlIjpmYWxzZX0%3D) [](https://www.

bcf. org/apply-for-grant/#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dpopup%3Aopen%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6IjMwMDE3IiwidG9nZ2xlIjpmYWxzZX0%3D) Apply Now: Grants for Greater Baltimore At the Baltimore Community Foundation, we partner with like-minded and mission-aligned nonprofits to create positive and sustainable change right here in our region. Why apply for a grant through BCF?

**Since 1972, we’ve deployed $650M in funding to programs, civic projects, and nonprofits across Baltimore city and county. **Our strategic grantmaking efforts mobilize investment, supporting the economic and social development of the region while driving steady progress. If your nonprofit has a solution for the challenges that impact Baltimore schools and neighborhoods, we want to hear about it.

Learn more about our strategic grantmaking focus areas and other grant opportunities below, then start your application to join our community of active changemakers. Measurable change starts in schools and neighborhoods We welcome grant proposals that aim to strengthen and enrich both.

By supporting the programs, projects, and nonprofits that aim to improve this region’s schools and neighborhoods, we’re working together to build a better Baltimore. We invite grant applications from organizations across Baltimore City and Baltimore County that are on a mission to create places, spaces, and systems where children and residents can thrive.

### Strong schools support kids and teachers Our Stronger Schools grants support programs and projects that improve kindergarten readiness, student mental health, and school climate and culture. ### Vibrant neighborhoods create community Our Stronger Neighborhood grants are strategically deployed to programs and projects that make our neighborhoods safer, cleaner, greener, and more vibrant.

In addition to our schools and neighborhoods grants, we host a handful of other funds and grant programs that accept applications for specific meaningful missions, including funds established to benefit public agencies. 1.

Baltimore City Community Grants Program The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) is proud to administer the Baltimore City Community Grants P rogram in partnership with**T he****Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation**. These grants are designed to support nonprofits that provide direct services to low-income Baltimore City residents, with a focus on creating path s to stability and opportunity.

**Eligibility:**To be considered for a Baltimore City Community Grant, applicants must: * Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status * Serve residents of Baltimore City * Have a total organizational budget of $500,000 or less * Deliver programming that aligns with at least one of the following focus areas: * **Housing**: Improving stability by promoting the development of safe and affordable housing * **Health**: Promoting health and well-being * **Jobs**: Creating paths to jobs and careers * **Education**: Helping youth succeed in school and beyond * **Aging**: Ensuring individuals are able to age with respect, dignity, and support.

Organizations that have an open grant with the Weinberg Foundation are not eligible to apply and priority will be given to nonprofits primarily serving Baltimore City. **CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 2. Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle **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. **CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 3.

Black Philanthropy Circle The Fund will accept applications from nonprofit organizations that are Black-led or based in Black communities in the Baltimore metropolitan area. The nonprofit organizations (or their fiscal agents) must be 501(c)3 nonprofits and provide goods or services that directly support Black people and communities. **CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 4.

Children’s Fresh Air Society Fund **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.

**CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 5. Eddie C. and C.

Sylvia Brown Family Foundation **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.

**CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 6. Kaiser Permanente’s Social Health Impact Fund Unmet social needs such as lack of food, housing, or transportation are barriers to health and well-being. Addressing these needs is an integral part of quality care.

As an integrated health system committed to total health, Kaiser Permanente not only provides excellent medical care and support for mental health and wellness, we are also addressing the social health needs of our members and communities.

To help address unmet social needs, Kaiser Permanente, in partnership with Unite Us, has deployed the Mid-Atlantic Community Network – a social service resource locator that integrates clinical and social care and is supported by data integration and partnership with community.

This funding opportunity (up to $6,500) is available to community-based organizations in the Greater Baltimore area that are currently active in the Mid-Atlantic Community Network. **CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 7. Leonard and Helen R Stulman Charitable Fund **Areas of interest**: Programs in mental health, aging, and health.

**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.

**CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** Created in 2018, the LGBTQ Fund at BCF is a source of funding for life-sustaining and life-affirming support for Baltimore's diverse LGBTQ community, particularly vulnerable young people. 9. Mitzvah Fund for Good Deeds The Mitzvah Fund of Good Deeds provides mini-grants to nonprofit organizations serving the Baltimore region to facilitate their good work in neighborhoods and schools.

The maximum grant amount is $3,500. **CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 10. Municipal Art Society of Baltimore City The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) and the Municipal Art Society of Baltimore City (MASB) have opened applications for the eighth edition of the**Municipal Art Society of Baltimore City Artist Travel Prize**.

This year,**the prize has been increased to $7,000**, which will be awarded to a visual artist or visual artist collaborators living in Baltimore City. The $7,000 prize is intended to function as funding for travel essential to an artist’s studio practice that an artist may not otherwise be able to afford. **CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 11.

William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund 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 $45,000 the Baker Fund continues its founders' civic-minded philanthropic tradition benefiting the residents of the greater Baltimore area. **Areas of interest:**Arts and culture.

**CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS** 3 Steps to funding Baltimore’s vibrant future Learn more about our Stronger Schools, Stronger Neighborhoodsgrants, or see the full list of grant opportunities above. Complete a grant application If your proposal is approved, you’ll receive instructions for accepting and applying the grant. Use our grant reporting form to share your positive progress—and how you’re changing Baltimore for the better.

What goes into a successful grant proposal? We strongly believe that residents and community-led organizations best understand how to achieve the ambitious goals set before us. For that reason, successful proposals will be collaboratively driven by the expressed needs of the community they aim to serve.

In addition, proposals should clearly define what successes will be tracked, and how those accomplishments will be measured. To be considered for funding, all grant applications must be submitted through the online application portal, unless otherwise instructed.

Most BCF grants are reserved for nonprofits with IRS 501 c(3) status, but we will also consider projects working with fiscal sponsors as long as the fiscal sponsor meets financial standards. Stronger Neighborhoods Grants: 2025-2026 Deadlines Start your application here We’re proud to support the programs and projects that make a difference across this region. Thank you for taking the time to propose your solution.

**_To make this application process easier, we encourage drafting your proposal in our__proposal template__before officially submitting it below. _** NOTICE: BCF has transitioned to a new grant application platform, GOapply. Even if you have applied for a grant with us before, you will need to create a new account in the portal using the link below.

If you have previously submitted a grant application, your application history will be connected to your new GOapply account through your organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID. If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact **Maya Smith**, _Program Administrator_ at msmith@bcf. org.

_Our organization is currently undergoing a systems migration designed to strengthen and improve the way we support our grantee community. During this transition, there will be a**temporary application blackout period from February 18 through March 9,**during which grant applications will not be accessible.

_ _To ensure this transition does not disadvantage applicants, we have extended our upcoming grant deadlines for our Stronger Schools Stronger Neighborhoods grants opportunities:_ * _Spring Deadline: Extended to April 8_ * _Summer Deadline: Extended to August 3_ Take Me To The Application Portal ### Have you ever applied for a grant from BCF?

Start by creating an account Login with your existing account and start a new application Login with your existing account to continue working on the application that you started (but did not fully submit) during a prior session I have an existing account but I cannot recall my password Don’t see your question listed below? Connect with our grantseekers support team **here**. 1.

Does BCF still fund place-based initiatives like targeted neighborhoods or selected school communities? No. In December 2022, BCF’s board voted on a new strategic direction that would make Stronger Neighborhoods Grants and Stronger Schools Grants available across all of Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

We welcome competitive proposals from grantees that previously served our targeted neighborhoods and selected school communities, but there is no longer an exclusive allocation to support projects/programs in restricted geographies. 2. Is my organization or project eligible for funding from BCF?

The Baltimore Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status. We will also consider projects working with fiscal sponsors as long as the fiscal sponsor meets financial standards. 3.

Are there things BCF will not fund? **The Baltimore Community Foundation does not generally fund the following:** * Religious or sectarian purposes * Individuals, excluding scholarships 4. Do you provide multi-year funding?

Yes. However, the ability to make multi-year grants is dependent upon funds available and is at the discretion of the board committee with oversight of the grant. 5.

Our organization is not located in Baltimore but we serve Baltimore residents. Can we apply? BCF was created to serve the greater Baltimore region.

We fund organizations that are located in or benefit residents of Baltimore City or Baltimore County. Your headquarters may be located elsewhere, but your program must serve the people of this region in order to be eligible for a grant. If you are located outside our service area, visit theCommunity Foundation Locatorto find a community foundation serving your area.

6. What is the typical grant award? BCF awards a wide range of grant amounts.

A typical award is $20,000. Smaller projects are often awarded $1,000 – $5,000. 7.

I don’t have all of the required attachments, what should I do? Your proposal will not receive consideration without the required attachments. You may need to consider a fiscal sponsor that meets financial standards.

For IRS documents, if you don’t have a copy of your latest 990, you can find your most recent submission using this search tool. 8. What would help make my proposal stronger?

BCF’s current discretionary grant programs emphasize collaboration for stronger schools and stronger neighborhoods, so make sure you really highlight how your relationships and partnerships have and will collectively make a difference. It is so important that Stronger Schools proposals require a letter of support from the school(s) with whom they are partnered. * Show us you are an expert.

When answering the first question in the application, you are encouraged to think of it in 4 parts: 1. 1. **Describe Need**: Concisely tell us what problem you are trying to solve and/or what is the opportunity.

2. **Population**: We are looking for you to demonstrate that you are connected to and really understand who you are proposing to serve. 3.

**Impact**: Our donors want to know their support is making a difference, so be sure to share what will change as a result of your efforts. 4. **Success**: What will you be measuring to “prove” you were successful?

You are encouraged to use data when possible. * Successful proposals clearly describe and prove impact – upfront in the application and how it is reported at the end. For the proposal/application, think: what are you trying to change and how will know you were successful; how will you measure it?

Make sure you take the time to think through how you will tell the story. You are encouraged to use data as a measurement of change. For example, with schools, if you are trying to improve student attendance, you will need to review the attendance statistics before you begin, and then compare them after you complete your activities.

For neighborhoods, for instance, you may want to reduce dumping in the area so you might track if there was a reduction in 311 service calls. Hopefully, as a result of your efforts you see measurable change. While this “quantitative” data (e.g., numbers) are essential, we also encourage you to share “qualitative” data, or information that describes the quality of the impact your efforts have made based on your own judgment.

That may include qualities or opinions you have observed and collected through interviews, for instance. 9. Where can I find data and other statistical information to help explain and measure my impact?

For Stronger**Schools**proposals, you should start with your school partner. They have access to data at various levels: individual students, classroom, and schoolwide.

You can also find some data on school profiles:Baltimore City Public SchoolsandBaltimore County Public Schoolsboth have websites that feature School Profiles, which includes demographics, attendance rates, assessments data for English and math, graduation rates, parent surveys results, school survey results, the school’s performance plan, and the school effectiveness review.

Additional data about schools, the district, and all of the state’s 24 jurisdictions are available online atMaryland Public Schools Report Card. For Stronger**Neighborhoods**proposals, the best place to start may be with your community/neighborhood association. Many groups have existing relationships with government agencies and regularly receive reports such as service calls (e.g., 311), police/crime statistics.

TheBaltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance’s Vital Signs gives a wealth of information on city neighborhoods. You can explore data/indicators from the U.S. Census and on housing/community development, children/family health and wellbeing, crime/safety, workforce and economic development, arts/culture, education/youth, and sustainability.

The city’sCode Mapoffers a wealth of information on development zones, permits, vacants and property ownership. See thecity’s department of planningfor additional resources such as housing market topology maps and demographics. Other resources include theBaltimore City Health Department’s website where you can find research, stats, and data on major public health issues.

Baltimore County has similar data available on theirOpen Data website. 10. What happens after I submit a proposal?

Once you submit a proposal, we will review it for eligibility. If we need further information, a program officer will call, and may request a site visit. After confirming that your request is a match for one or more grant programs, the program officer will evaluate your proposal, then submit it to a board committee for review and possible approval.

11. How does BCF make its funding decisions? BCF Strategic Grantmaking Committee meets several times each year to review proposals and approve grants.

Our committee is comprised of BCF trustees and other volunteers who serve without compensation and for rotating terms. They discuss funding requests and the merits of proposals in a series of confidential meetings at BCF. The review process, from time of application to time of approval, decline or deferral by our board, can take up to three months.

12. What happens after my organization receives a grant? Once a grant is awarded, you will receive an email notifying you of the award.

Subsequently, you will receive an electronic grant agreement that needs to be electronically signed. Read the grant agreement carefully to make note of your responsibilities, then sign and return it. Then we will release payment of the grant in accordance with the payment schedule and any special conditions spelled out in the grant agreement.

We are happy to arrange an electronic transfer of funds for grant payments. Please keep us informed about your progress and accomplishments and complete the reporting requirements outlined in your grant agreement. 13.

What are BCF’s reporting requirements and where can I find the report form? Most grants require a final report. If you are required to submit a report, the terms are outlined in your grant agreement.

Our standard grant report form can be completed by clicking here. 14. Will BCF help connect my organization or project to other family foundations, funds or donors at BCF?

Through our service to donors we often provide information on organizations and issues in the Baltimore area that are pertinent to the donors’ interest. However, we are unable to assist you in setting up an informational meeting with or distributing information about your organization to our donors. 15.

Does BCF offer scholarships? The Baltimore Community Foundation has a small portfolio of scholarship funds, which are primarily administered and managed by the CollegeBound Foundation. CollegeBound Foundation maintains a robust scholarship application portal for students to apply for a total of $3 million in scholarship funding, with over 500 students each year receiving an award.

CollegeBound Foundation also provides specialized support to awarded students throughout their college experience, including peer and adult mentoring, workshops and seminars with College Completion Advisors, and supplemental College Completion Awards to provide additional financial support. To learn more and apply for scholarships, visit the CollegeBound Foundation at www. collegeboundfoundation.

org. Interested in supporting the Baltimore Community Foundation Fund for College Scholarships? Visit The BCF Fund for College Scholarships to donate today.

Drop your message below and we’ll be in touch soon! Drop your email for BCF updates, impact stories, and opportunities to get involved. Inspire donors to achieve their charitable goals from generation to generation and to improve the quality of life in the Baltimore region through grantmaking, enlightened civic leadership, and strategic investments.

* 11 East Mount Royal Avenue, Mail Gifts To Our Secure P. O. Box: The Baltimore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible.

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* 11 East Mount Royal Avenue, FacebookX-twitter[](https://www. linkedin. com/company/baltimorecf)Youtube The Baltimore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) and all donations are tax deductible.

[](https://www. bcf. org/apply-for-grant/#) ### Important Update: Grant Application System Migration & Temporary Blackout Period Dear Valued Grantee Partners, We’re writing to share an important update regarding our grant application process.

Our organization is currently undergoing a systems migration designed to strengthen and improve the way we support our grantee community. During this transition, there will be a**temporary application blackout**period from**February 18 through March 9,**during which grant applications will not be accessible.

To ensure this transition does not disadvantage applicants, we have extended our upcoming grant deadlines for our**Stronger Schools Stronger Neighborhoods**grants opportunities**:** * Spring Deadline:Extended to April 8 * Summer Deadline**:**Extended to August 3 **You will not be able to access your in-process grant applications during this blackout period.

** We recognize that your planning timelines matter, and we appreciate your flexibility as we make these behind-the-scenes improvements to better serve you in the long term. If you have questions or need support during this period, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Tracy Pindell (tpindell@bcf. org)or Bobbi Nicotera (bnicotera@bcf.

org)**. ** Thank you for your patience, partnership, and continued trust in our work. We look forward to continuing to support the important impact you are making in our community.

The Baltimore Community Foundation Grants Team