Baltimore City Community Grants Program: Program Grants - Jobs

Overview

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.

Jobs

Employment provides the best opportunity for personal success and financial security. Quality training programs that lead to employment enable individuals and families to achieve economic stability.

Priorities

* Job Training: The Foundation supports job-training programs that result in industry-recognized credentials, as well as job-placement and retention services. Employers must engage with the training organizations to verify program content and support placement and retention services. Organizations should track job retention and wages for at least one year, preferably two.
* Examples of appropriate projects:
* Sector-based training programs in industries including health care, manufacturing, construction, food services, information technology, and biotechnology.
* Life-skill and job-readiness training, including case management and referrals to technical-training programs or direct job placement.
* Capital costs for job-training centers, such as construction or renovation projects or large equipment purchases, that result in an increased number of individuals served in a sector-based training program.
* Programs that provide job-placement services for veterans and their spouses.
* Youth Employment and Career Support: The Foundation supports programs that provide high school-based career exploration and hands-on learning opportunities for youth ages 14–24.
* Examples of appropriate projects:
* Hard- and soft-skill training to help young people who are neither in school nor working reconnect with career opportunities.
* Paid internships that give youth direct work experience.
* Citywide summer job programs.
* Customized, community-based employment opportunities for young adults with disabilities who are transitioning from a school environment into the workplace.

More information is found here.

Program Grants

Program grants fund specific programs within an organization.

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