France-Merrick Foundation Grant

The France-Merrick Foundation has launched a new one-year grantmaking strategy for fiscal year 2025–2026, called the “Meet the Moment Fund.” This initiative was developed in response to the urgent challenges posed by recent public policy changes and funding disruptions affecting Baltimore communities and nonprofit organizations. It aims to safeguard the progress made in critical areas such as health, housing, education, and economic mobility, while also supporting cultural vibrancy through the arts, environmental preservation, and community development. The Foundation is increasing its overall grantmaking budget by 1% and dedicating up to 40% of its annual distribution to this new fund. Traditional grantmaking from the France-Merrick Foundation will continue in parallel. These grants support long-term priorities through one-time capital investments in physical infrastructure, equipment, and technology. However, the Foundation is now emphasizing shovel-ready projects to maximize impact in the current climate. Early-stage development projects are not prioritized. Traditional grants follow a structured application process involving a letter of inquiry (LOI), followed by proposal submission upon invitation. The Foundation provides funding primarily for projects that align with its existing focus areas and geographical scope within Baltimore. The Meet the Moment Fund differs by offering expedited financial support for short-term needs. Eligible projects include those that prevent or address service disruptions in essential sectors such as housing, education, safety, and health; initiatives that enhance strategic responses to sudden funding losses; and collaborations that develop sustainable solutions to complex community challenges. Grants from this fund are especially intended for former grantees and organizations responding to emerging needs collaboratively. Applicants must demonstrate a plan for operational sustainability, as the fund does not support entities lacking a long-term funding strategy. The Foundation's application process begins with an LOI, which must include organizational details, a summary of the project and funding request, timelines, and contact information. LOIs for requests of $50,000 or less are accepted on a rolling basis, with proposals typically invited within a month and grant decisions made roughly a month later. For requests exceeding $50,000, the Foundation has established quarterly LOI deadlines, followed by proposal invitations and decisions issued several months later. For the 2025–2026 cycle, proposal deadlines and corresponding grant decision periods are clearly delineated, with four submission windows spanning from December 2025 through October 2026. The Foundation utilizes an online portal for LOI submission. All applicants must create or re-create an account on the updated platform. Organizations with multiple project components must combine them into a single LOI submission. If selected to submit a proposal, applicants will be asked to provide standard supporting documents such as project and organizational budgets, board lists, and audits. A dedicated program officer assists applicants throughout the process, including potential site visits. Proposals over $50,000 are escalated for review by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which convenes quarterly. Grant agreements outline payment schedules and reporting requirements, with funds generally disbursed within one month of agreement signing. Final reports are typically due one year after the final payment. Additionally, recipient organizations are subject to a two-year waiting period from the final payment date before becoming eligible to apply for new funding. For questions, applicants can reach out to Grants Administrator Nate Kalb via email at [email protected] or by phone at (410) 464-2004.