Request for Proposals (RFP)
The Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative consists of over 10 organizations that fund high-quality summer programs serving children and young adults from low-income families in Baltimore City. While funders make grant awards in response to their foundation’s specific funding priorities, SFC funders share a commitment to expanding access to high-quality summer opportunities and streamlining the process by which providers can access private grant dollars.
The SFC uses an online application that allows providers to apply for grants from SFC funders with one submission. You can read the full RFP here.
This year, the SFC is excited to launch our new online application portal! Your application for SFC 2023 funding must be completed via the online portal, which was released Wednesday, December 7. Live trainings for the online portal were provided at our in-person and online information sessions on December 7 and 8. In addition, we uploaded a training video for anyone who is unable to attend an information session, and will provide technical assistance for any applicants who have questions about completing the portal and online application. In advance of next week's information sessions, we encourage you to read through the full SFC 2023 Request for Proposals. The RFP contains all the information you need to learn how to apply for SFC 2023 funding. It also contains a list of the application questions that will be asked in the online portal.
The SFC uses an online application that allows providers to apply for grants from SFC funders with one submission. You can read the full RFP here.
This year, the SFC is excited to launch our new online application portal! Your application for SFC 2023 funding must be completed via the online portal, which was released Wednesday, December 7. Live trainings for the online portal were provided at our in-person and online information sessions on December 7 and 8. In addition, we uploaded a training video for anyone who is unable to attend an information session, and will provide technical assistance for any applicants who have questions about completing the portal and online application. In advance of next week's information sessions, we encourage you to read through the full SFC 2023 Request for Proposals. The RFP contains all the information you need to learn how to apply for SFC 2023 funding. It also contains a list of the application questions that will be asked in the online portal.
who may apply for sfc funding?
To be considered for funding, your program should meet the following requirements shared by all SFC funders:
- Primarily serve children and youth from low-income families living in Baltimore City.
- Plan to serve healthy meals to students attending summer programs that operate four or more hours each day.
- Promote academic and social-emotional growth in children and youth.
- Where applicable, actively welcome and include students of all abilities – learning, physical, and otherwise.
How do i apply?
The online application allows programs to apply for grants from all the SFC funders at once. Training for the online application portal will be provided through recorded videos and live at the SFC 2023 Application Information Sessions. Please carefully review the RFP before applying. If you have questions about completing this online application, please e-mail Summer(at)baltimorespromise.org. The application for 2023 funding is now closed.
All questions with an asterisk (*) next to them must be answered to submit the application. If you do not answer these required questions, our online system, Salesforce, will not allow you to submit the application.
All questions with an asterisk (*) next to them must be answered to submit the application. If you do not answer these required questions, our online system, Salesforce, will not allow you to submit the application.
How do i submit my application?
You must submit your proposal and supporting documents through our online portal. Training for the online application portal were provided through recorded videos and live at the SFC 2023 Application Information Sessions.
You must also include information about your proposed budget. Some funders require other supporting documents, or they will not consider your proposal. These documents may include the following:
You must also include information about your proposed budget. Some funders require other supporting documents, or they will not consider your proposal. These documents may include the following:
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Confirmation of 501(c)(3) or 509(a) tax status
- Financial Review
- Form 990
- Most recent financial audit
- Proof of fiscal sponsorship (if applicable)
How will the sfc decide whether they will fund my program's proposal?
Technical Review
After you submit your application on January 13, 2023, Baltimore’s Promise staff will review your application materials. We will check that your required documents are correct and up to date. Baltimore’s Promise staff will email you by Friday, January 20, 2023, to let you know about any missing or incorrect materials. You will have until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, to resubmit any necessary materials. Funders may not consider incomplete applications. We strongly encourage you to read through the section on required documents before submitting your application to avoid needing to resubmit materials.
Community Review Process
After the technical review process, we may select your application for community reviewers to review. Reviewers will include youth ages 14-24, and parents/caregivers of youth ages 0-13. Ideally, all applications would be reviewed through this process. However, if we receive more than 200 applications, then we will prioritize:
These criteria line up with the funding priorities of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund. They are committed to aligning 100% of their funding decisions with the community review process.
If we choose your application for review, the participatory review committee will evaluate your Program Description from your application. Each member will use the Community Review Rubric. We will then share the committee’s feedback with all SFC funders.
Funder Review and Decision-Making:
After the community review process ends, SFC funders will receive all application materials, including feedback from the community reviewers, and begin their own decision-making. Foundations will base their funding decisions on their priorities and eligibility requirements. We will announce funding decisions in April 2023. We will email a decision letter to the proposal contact listed on your application.
The SFC is an aligned fund. This means individual funders ultimately make the funding decisions according to their unique priorities and eligibility requirements. The SFC strives to coordinate funding decisions and fund whole program budgets as much as possible. Before finalizing their decisions, SFC funders meet to align final decisions with the goal of fully funding as many high-quality summer programs as possible.
The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund will actively incorporate feedback from the community review process by aligning 100% of their funding decisions with feedback from this review process. Other SFC funders may incorporate feedback from the participatory review process into their decision-making.
After you submit your application on January 13, 2023, Baltimore’s Promise staff will review your application materials. We will check that your required documents are correct and up to date. Baltimore’s Promise staff will email you by Friday, January 20, 2023, to let you know about any missing or incorrect materials. You will have until 5:00 PM on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, to resubmit any necessary materials. Funders may not consider incomplete applications. We strongly encourage you to read through the section on required documents before submitting your application to avoid needing to resubmit materials.
Community Review Process
After the technical review process, we may select your application for community reviewers to review. Reviewers will include youth ages 14-24, and parents/caregivers of youth ages 0-13. Ideally, all applications would be reviewed through this process. However, if we receive more than 200 applications, then we will prioritize:
- Applications from BIPOC-led organizations
- Applications from programs planning to have at least 51% of their participants be youth ages 14-24
These criteria line up with the funding priorities of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund. They are committed to aligning 100% of their funding decisions with the community review process.
If we choose your application for review, the participatory review committee will evaluate your Program Description from your application. Each member will use the Community Review Rubric. We will then share the committee’s feedback with all SFC funders.
Funder Review and Decision-Making:
After the community review process ends, SFC funders will receive all application materials, including feedback from the community reviewers, and begin their own decision-making. Foundations will base their funding decisions on their priorities and eligibility requirements. We will announce funding decisions in April 2023. We will email a decision letter to the proposal contact listed on your application.
The SFC is an aligned fund. This means individual funders ultimately make the funding decisions according to their unique priorities and eligibility requirements. The SFC strives to coordinate funding decisions and fund whole program budgets as much as possible. Before finalizing their decisions, SFC funders meet to align final decisions with the goal of fully funding as many high-quality summer programs as possible.
The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund will actively incorporate feedback from the community review process by aligning 100% of their funding decisions with feedback from this review process. Other SFC funders may incorporate feedback from the participatory review process into their decision-making.
How do I account for covid-19 in my application?
SFC funders understand that COVID-19 is still causing uncertainty with in-person programming, funding streams for the out-of-school time provider network, and public health considerations. The concerns have made these past three years more stressful than ever for program providers. Please propose the ideal model your program wishes to provide in Summer 2023. Base your proposal on what you know now about the ongoing pandemic.
We understand that different programs may choose to keep having virtual meetings in their programs. If your program includes a virtual component, or is fully virtual, please make sure to explain the reasons for this format in your application. Please note that some SFC funders will no longer consider applications for fully virtual or hybrid programs. Please check the 2023 Funding Requirements and Priorities table to learn more.
We understand that different programs may choose to keep having virtual meetings in their programs. If your program includes a virtual component, or is fully virtual, please make sure to explain the reasons for this format in your application. Please note that some SFC funders will no longer consider applications for fully virtual or hybrid programs. Please check the 2023 Funding Requirements and Priorities table to learn more.
DEADLINE: The deadline for submission is Friday, January 13, 2023, at 5:00 pm.
Please note that the SFC will not accept late applications or applications by email or postal mail. Plan to submit your application a few days ahead of time in case you need help of have problems submitting your application.
SFC |