Baltimore City Community Grants Program: Capital Grants - Education

Baltimore City Community Grants Program

This program was created to provide support to small nonprofits with an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less that provide direct services to low-income individuals and families in Baltimore City. Eligible organizations may apply for up to $20,000 to assist with general operating expenses, program, or capital costs, including equipment purchases, capacity building (e.g., evaluation and audit costs), and other eligible expenses.

Education

Education can help break the cycle of poverty. Providing high-quality academic and developmental opportunities helps young people build the skills they need to succeed in school and life.

Priorities

• College and Career Pathways: The Foundation supports programs that help youth (ages 11–21) meet key milestones and develop skills and introduce them to a wide variety of academic areas and careers, equipping them to graduate high school, complete postsecondary education or training, and build a career. Projects should have a proven record of fostering academic and postsecondary success, focus on creating paths to college completion or well-paying jobs, and prioritize young people in planning and decision-making.
  • Examples of appropriate projects:
  • Science, technology, engineering, art, and math programs in or outside of school that engage students in project-based learning, build technical skills, and provide real-world work experiences that result in college credit or come with stipends.
  • College access and completion programs that help students — in partnership with their families — identify aspirations, navigate the application and admissions process, and persist through graduation.
  • Programs that enable youth who are not in school or working to reengage in their education and community, develop skills, and get on a path to enter and complete postsecondary education or training.
  • Capital for labs, studios, and other facilities that provide the space and technology for young people to develop their skills and passions and support them on the path to college or careers.
• Academic Success and Opportunity: The Foundation supports programs that help middle and high school students stay on track to graduate with the skills they need to be successful, such as reading and math proficiency, and that provide advanced learning and enrichment opportunities for youth with limited access to such experiences. Projects must have an evidence-based academic component with demonstrated results.
  • Examples of appropriate projects:
  • Proven models that help students master core academic subjects (e.g., algebra) and foster successful transitions from middle to high school and to postsecondary education.
  • After-school, weekend, or summer programs that work with students for a minimum of six weeks over the summer and one year during the school year and blend academic learning with enriching activities to increase educational achievement, school attendance, and positive social behavior.
  • Programs that increase access to advanced learning opportunities that promote higher achievement and future success.
• Adolescent Health and Well-Being: The Foundation supports programs that bolster the physical and mental well-being of adolescents so they can fully engage in school and life.
  • Examples of appropriate projects:
  • Youth development programs grounded in sports that provide mentorship, academic support, and athletic competition.
  • Innovative programs that support the mental health and well-being of young people who face significant challenges, including LGBTQ+ youth and young people experiencing homelessness or who are not in school or working.
  • Capital for facilities to provide high-quality sports-based youth development programs.

More information is found here.

Capital Grants

Capital grants fund the purchase, construction, and/or renovation of a building; the purchase of major equipment; home modifications for low-income homeowners; and select technology projects.

To qualify for capital grant consideration, the proposed project must meet the following criteria:

• Specific, confirmed plans, including value-engineered drawings and confirmed total project costs.
• At least 50% of project costs have been raised (either pledged or received).
• Direct services provided as a result of the project should align with the Foundation’s funding priorities in its focus areas of Housing, Health, Jobs, Education, and Aging.

The Foundation’s charter also sets a threshold for the total funding that it can provide to any one capital project at a maximum of 30%. However, grants are often approved for lower amounts.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Nonprofits that receive a grant under this program may reapply each year, provided all eligibility and reporting requirements are met.
• Geographic Focus Areas:
  • The Baltimore City Community Grants program is only available to organizations in Baltimore City.
• To be considered for funding, an organization must meet several requirements:
  • Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status; or have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Provide direct services to low-income and vulnerable populations.
  • Have audited financial statements or external financial reviews.
  • Have been in operation for at least three years.
• To be considered for funding, an organization must meet several prerequisite requirements:
  • An organization seeking funding may be engaged in advocacy but primarily must provide direct services.
  • Organizations must also submit the following documents:
  • A letter from their professional leader on the organization’s letterhead outlining the specific request for funding along with a summary of the organization (not to exceed two pages).
  • The letter should include the following information:
  • A copy of the organization’s mission statement demonstrating a commitment to providing direct services to low-income people in Baltimore City.
  • Population served and total estimated number of unique individuals served annually.
  • Specific purpose of grant request, including how the organization will use the funds, including the area of focus—Housing, Health, Jobs, Education, Aging, or other (if other, please describe).
  • Any previous contact with the Weinberg Foundation.
  • Specific dollar amount requested (up to $20,000).
  • Total organizational budget, not including any in-kind funds.
  • Specific contact information for one person from the organization, including name, title, phone, address, and email address.
  • Proof of 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor.
  • A copy of the organization’s most recent 990 filing.
  • If the organization is only required to file a 990-N with the Internal Revenue Service, please submit the 990-N along with a completed and signed 990-EZ or 990.
  • The Foundation will not accept a 990-N alone.
  • A copy of the organization’s budget for the current and previous year, including confirmation that the annual operating budget is less than $500,000.
  • A list of the organization’s board of directors and staff.

Ineligibility

• The Foundation does not fund advocacy work.
• An organization seeking funding may not be a current grantee through either the Small Grants Program or the regular grants process.
  • However, nonprofits funded through the Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative may be considered under this program.
• The Foundation does not fund the following interests/entities:
  • Individuals
  • Arts and culture
  • Postsecondary scholarships
  • Debt reduction
  • Colleges and universities
  • Religious institutions and facilities (including churches, congregations, mosques, synagogues, and temples)
  • Think tanks
  • Endowments
  • Political action groups
  • Annual appeals (in most cases)
  • Publications
  • Academic or health research
  • Fundraising events