The City of Baltimore has launched the Community Catalyst Grants Program (CCG) to support locally driven community development work.

The Community Catalyst Grants program (CCG) to provide operating and capital support to assist organizations in historically disinvested communities. These communities are predominantly low-income, minority, have suffered disproportionately from low housing values, high rates of vacancy and abandonment, poverty, crime and public health problems, and may have received less public and private investment than other communities.

Community Catalyst Grants are intended to: 

• Value neighborhoods. Support community-based efforts that support residents as they take the lead in their communities’ redevelopment plans and projects.
• Promote equity and community development in long-disinvested neighborhoods. Funding emerging and established organizations in historically disinvested neighborhoods provides critical financial support to community-based initiatives that need it most.
• Be flexible. Applicants will identify their priorities for funds, whether it is increasing staff, retaining consultants, updating equipment, creating cooperative enterprises or helping to finance a project that achieves a community identified need.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible applicants include community development corporations, umbrella organizations, neighborhood revitalization organizations, faith-based organizations, merchant associations and other organizations that have a valid 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status or that have received a temporary determination from the IRS. Organizations that do not have a 501(c)(3) status can apply through an eligible applicant or a fiscal agent.
• Eligible applicants must provide proof of their business entity’s status of good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) – proof can be provided as a timestamped screenshot of SDAT’s Business Entity entry for the applicant or a scanned copy of the Certificate of Status.

For more information, visit City of Baltimore.