Group also seeks community members for paid opportunities to review applicationsBaltimore, Maryland — The Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative (SFC) is now accepting applications for its 2025 summer programs, offering a unique grantmaking process that brings together public and private funders with community decision-makers to shape the distribution of more than $3 million in summer funding.
Grants are available for nonprofit organizations (or those operating with a fiscal sponsor) that provide youth-serving summer programs for Baltimore City children and youth, ages 0-24, from low-income families. Programs must meet certain accessibility requirements, which were determined through community input, such as plans for providing a safe physical and mental space; healthy meals and snacks; safe arrivals and departures; and fee accommodations. The deadline for grant applications is November 20, 2024. Full eligibility and the application portal can be found at bmoresfc.org. This year’s grants are made possible by the SFC partners: The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore Children and Youth Fund, Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Constellation, Family League of Baltimore, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and the West Baltimore Renaissance Foundation. Community Reviewers to Help Direct Funding In addition to opening the grant application process, the SFC is inviting community members to participate as paid application reviewers, playing a key role in deciding how summer funding is allocated. Baltimore City youth aged 14-24, as well as parents and caregivers of children aged 13 and under, are encouraged to apply to become community reviewers. Reviewers will use an established rubric to evaluate grant applications and make recommendations that guide funding decisions for the SFC. Since the community review process was established, more than 500 community members have taken part. “The Community Review Process is vital to ensuring that the grants awarded each summer meet the needs and wishes of our community—and marks an important step in collaboration between philanthropy and community. After all, who better to share with funders what kinds of programs will be most beneficial to our communities—and thus a better investment—than the youth and caregivers who live there?” said Julia Baez, CEO of Baltimore’s Promise, which serves as the SFC’s administrative backbone. “Last year, we set a 100% alignment goal between funding and community recommendations. We’re thrilled to say that we met that goal—every single one of the programs receiving funding in Summer 2024 were marked as either Highly Recommended or Recommended by our community reviewers.” Applications for community reviewers are open through November 18, 2024. Each community reviewer will receive a stipend for their time, and training is provided. Transportation, meals, and childcare assistance will be available. More information and the application form can be found at bmoresfc.org. Media interested in learning more about the Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative process are invited to attend an information session or community review session. We can also arrange an interview with a member of the SFC and/or community reviewer. Please contact Melanie DeStefano, Manager of Communications, Baltimore’s Promise, at [email protected], if you plan to attend. Timeline of Key Dates
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AuthorThe Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative is a partnership between public, private and nonprofit organizations that supports high-quality summer programs that serve youth from low-income families in Baltimore City. Archives
May 2025
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