BMORE Beautiful Care-A-Lot Program

The Care-A-Lot Grant Program is a seasonal community beautification initiative administered by BMORE Beautiful, a grassroots program under the Baltimore City Environmental Control Board. BMORE Beautiful’s mission is to enhance the aesthetics and livability of Baltimore’s neighborhoods by supporting local organizations and residents in grassroots beautification efforts. This particular grant focuses on empowering community-based organizations to manage vacant lots during Baltimore's growing season, defined as April through September. The core objective of the Care-A-Lot Grant is to improve the appearance and environmental health of vacant lots throughout Baltimore by supporting organizations capable of mowing and maintaining them. The program targets non-commercial groups—specifically, nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status or those with fiscal sponsorship through such organizations. These groups are expected to maintain up to 25 lots throughout the growing season, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment for surrounding residents. Importantly, the grant is not intended for landscaping companies, small haulers, or other private-sector entities, ensuring that funds are reserved for mission-driven, community-centered work. Funding can be used for routine lot maintenance, specifically mowing and general upkeep of vacant lots, which are otherwise unmanaged during the growing season. While the exact grant amount is not publicly disclosed, the opportunity is designed to support operational capacity for the maintenance of up to 25 lots per grantee. The grant does not permit expenditures unrelated to lot maintenance, such as hardscaping or landscaping that is decorative rather than functional in maintaining cleanliness and safety. Grantees are responsible for using funds in accordance with these focused guidelines, and any deviation may result in forfeiture or disqualification in future cycles. Eligibility is limited to organizations with the legal and structural capacity to manage grant funds and deliver services throughout the city of Baltimore. Applicants must either be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit or operate under a fiscal sponsor that meets this designation. Fiscal sponsorship must be legitimate and active, ensuring proper legal and financial oversight. The program does not permit businesses or individuals to apply directly, and eligibility is restricted geographically to entities that can serve the Baltimore city area. Applications for the Care-A-Lot Grant are accepted seasonally per the website, aligning with the April-to-September grow season. While the precise open and close dates for the application are not listed, the program is open for applicant submissions. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor BMORE Beautiful’s official page for updated timelines, however. There is no indication of a required letter of intent, pre-application, or concept paper. Grant contact information is centralized through the City of Baltimore’s Environmental Control Board, with general contact options including the city’s 311 system, as well as direct lines to City Hall. The grant’s website did not specify a named contact person, email, or dedicated program phone number for Care-A-Lot. Additionally, no PDF documentation or downloadable forms were made available through the source material. Interested applicants are advised to consult the city’s official BMORE Beautiful page or reach out through the general contact options provided by the City of Baltimore.