Mitzvah Fund for Good Deeds

The Mitzvah Fund for Good Deeds is a philanthropic initiative administered by the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), created in 2012 to provide gap funding for nonprofit organizations operating within the Baltimore region. The fund aims to support short-term, immediate, or flexible financial needs that help community organizations carry out their missions and serve residents more effectively. The fund emphasizes accessibility and equity, inviting all eligible nonprofits to submit proposals without prescribing overly narrow programmatic guidelines. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or operate under a qualified fiscal sponsor. In order to be considered, organizations must serve the Baltimore region and uphold inclusive policies, explicitly prohibiting discrimination based on race, creed, national origin, color, physical handicap, gender, or sexual orientation. The program specifically excludes individuals, higher education institutions, start-up organizations, capital projects, and proposals that fall outside the Baltimore geographic scope or reference past-dated events. Grant requests may not exceed $3,500, and while the fund is designed to be flexible, applicants are generally limited to one grant per calendar year. Funds may be used for a wide array of purposes including unrestricted needs, staffing, transportation, and other operating costs. Examples of previously funded projects include resource kits for at-home student learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, educational outreach materials distributed with food assistance, and the creation of diverse school library collections. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, depending on available funds. The fund does not operate on a fixed deadline schedule; however, applicants should expect a review period of up to four weeks from the date of submission. Organizations are strongly encouraged to read the eligibility criteria and prepare necessary documentation before submitting an application through the online portal provided by BCF. This micro-grant fund plays an important role in strengthening the community response network in Baltimore by enabling nonprofits to address immediate and specific needs. The program’s low-barrier access and wide funding scope make it especially useful for organizations requiring timely support outside of traditional, longer-cycle grantmaking structures.

Request small, specific support for flexible community needs. Avoid startup or capital proposals.