The Summer Funding Collaborative (SFC), a group of private and nonprofit funders working in coordination with public systems announces its 2026 Request for Proposals (RFP). The Collaborative expects to award more than $4.2 million to programs serving Baltimore City youth ages 0–24.

The 2026 SFC partners include:
Abell Foundation; Annie E. Casey Foundation; BGE; Blanket Fort Foundation; Bloomberg Philanthropies; Constellation; Family League of Baltimore; Goldseker Foundation; Hackerman Foundation; The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation; Hinkey-Benson Family Fund; Lockhart Vaughan Foundation; Nam-Macgill Family Fund; The Richman Foundation; and Sherman Family Foundation.

High-quality summer programs play a vital role in preventing summer learning loss, reducing youth arrests, supporting working families, and providing safe, engaging environments for young people. On average, students lose up to one month of academic progress each summer; effective programming counteracts this decline and helps youth build skills and confidence.

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Eligibility Criteria : Who Can Apply

To qualify for funding, programs must:

Organizational Requirements

• Operate under a 501(c)(3), 509(a) status, or have a fiscal sponsor with that status.

Program Structure

• Must be in-person only. Virtual or hybrid models are not eligible this year.
• Must serve Baltimore City youth aged 0–24 from low-income families.
• Programs may operate outside Baltimore City only if serving Baltimore City youth exclusively.
• Programs may enroll non-low-income youth, but SFC funds may only support low-income Baltimore City residents.

Participation Costs

• Must be free or offer full fee waivers to families unable to pay.

Meal Requirements

• Programs running 4+ hours/day must serve at least one meal daily.
• Programs under four hours must provide a snack daily.

Accessibility

Programs must:

• Welcome youth of all abilities.
• Provide accommodations to meet participant needs.

Quality Indicators

Programs should demonstrate:

• Skill-building and learning environments
• Youth-centered design
• Access for all youth
• Professional, engaged staff
• Safe emotional and physical settings
• Exposure to diverse experiences

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Expectations for Funded Programs

All funded programs must comply with SFC core responsibilities:

Data and Reporting

• Submit weekly attendance and enrollment data through a central platform, including:
  • Names
  • School ID numbers
  • Birthdates
  • Demographic information
• SFC provides consent forms, guidance, and training.

Surveys

• Pre-program survey
• Post-program survey
• Youth satisfaction survey

Site Visits

• Programs may host site visits from SFC representatives (funders, staff, youth, officials).

Grant Contracts

• Managed individually by each SFC funder or fiscal sponsor.

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How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through Formstack only.
No mailed, emailed, or late submissions are accepted.

Steps to Apply

1. Complete the Formstack online application
2. Upload all required documents.
3. Submit by 5:00 PM Eastern on December 3, 2025.

A single application is shared with all Collaborative funders.

Important Note

• The SFC cannot provide individualized feedback on application answers.

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Application Timeline

Date	Action
Nov 3, 2025	Application opens
Nov 7, 2025	In-person info session, 9:30 a.m. (5 N. Calhoun St.)
Nov 12, 2025	Virtual info session, 5:30 p.m.
Nov 13, 2025	Virtual office hours, 3–4 p.m.
Nov 17, 2025	Virtual office hours, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Nov 24–28, 2025	Office closed
Dec 1, 2025	Virtual office hours, 12–1 p.m.
Dec 3, 2025	Application Deadline – 5 p.m. Eastern
Dec 9, 2025	Missing documents/clarifications communicated
Dec 11, 2025	Missing documents due
Feb 2026	Announcement of awards

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Application Support

Technical assistance is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Support includes:

• Understanding application questions
• Reviewing financial documents for compliance
• Strengthening responses
• General guidance for new grant writers

Important:
Technical assistance does not guarantee funding.

Office hours are also available for questions about Formstack, submission processes, and accessing your application.

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Important Links 

• Application Portal (Formstack): online application
• Office Hours & Technical Assistance Schedule: View the full technical assistance schedule, including sign-up links, here.

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Application Components

Applicants to the Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative (SFC) 2026 cycle are required to complete several core components as part of their proposal. These materials help reviewers understand each organization’s mission, operational capacity, program structure, financial health, and overall readiness to deliver high-quality summer programming for Baltimore City youth.

1. Comprehensive Questionnaire

The application includes a detailed questionnaire designed to capture essential information about your organization and proposed program. This section will request data such as:

• Organizational demographics and leadership information
• Program focus areas and target population
• Expected program duration, structure, and staffing
• Budgetary needs and anticipated costs

All questions included in the online form can be found beginning on page 13 of the official overview document. Applicants should review these questions carefully to ensure they provide complete and accurate responses.

 

2. Program Categories

Applicants must classify their proposed program according to specific age ranges and program types.

Age Ranges

Programs must serve youth within one of the following age categories:

• Pre-K to 8th grade / ages 0–13
• Grades 9–12 / ages 14–24

Programs that span both categories—for example, grades 6–12—must submit two separate applications, one for each age group. If older youth serve as program staff, only the younger participants should be categorized as program beneficiaries.

 

3. Program Types

SFC recognizes two primary program categories:

Comprehensive Programs

Comprehensive programs must meet all of the following criteria:

• Operate four or more weeks
• Operate five or more hours per day
• Operate four or more days per week
• Have a formal student enrollment process (e.g., enrollment forms)
• Provide daily food to participants
• Offer academic programming, plus additional enrichment or physical activities at least once per week

Specialized Programs

Specialized programs meet some of the following characteristics:

• Shorter operation:
  • Less than four weeks
  • Less than five hours per day
  • Less than four days per week
• Informal or drop-in enrollment structure
• Focus on a specific topic such as:
  • STEM
  • Workforce training
  • Mentorship
  • Arts
• Operate during non-traditional hours (evenings or weekends)

If an organization operates both a comprehensive and specialized program, separate applications are required. However, if the same program runs across multiple sites with the same structure, one application may be submitted with clear indication of multiple locations.

 

4. Required Financial and Legal Documents

Applicants must upload several documents in PDF format. Each document must match the name of the applying organization or its fiscal sponsor.

Required Documents

• Expected Budget
  Applicants must use the official SFC budget template. Budgets should outline expected expenses, in-kind contributions, and funding sources. Multi-site programs must break down expenses per site.
• Certificate of Good Standing
  Issued by the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Certificates must be less than two years old.
• IRS 501(c)(3) or 509(a) Determination Letter
  Proof of nonprofit status for the applicant or fiscal sponsor.
• Form 990
  The most recent IRS annual filing for the organization or fiscal sponsor.
• Proof of Fiscal Sponsorship
  Required only if applicable. This may be an MOU or letter from the fiscal sponsor confirming their role.

Optional Financial Documents

These documents are optional but may increase eligibility for additional funders:

• Financial Audit – Required by some funders for budgets over $749,000
• Financial Review – For organizations with operating budgets between $300,000 and $749,000

 

5. Program Narrative (“Organizational Story”)

Applicants must submit a written Program Story using set prompts to help grant reviewers understand:

• Organizational mission
• Program goals and activities
• How youth and families are engaged
• Why the program matters for Baltimore youth

This narrative must:

• Not exceed 3 pages
• Use Arial, 11-point font, single-spaced
• Follow default page margins
• Be uploaded as one PDF

 

6. Program Schedule Worksheet

Applicants must complete the required Program Schedule Worksheet to illustrate:

• A typical daily schedule
• Weekly program flow
• How activities relate to program goals

Only the provided SFC template will be accepted to maintain fairness and consistency.

 

7. Optional Media Upload

To give reviewers additional insight, applicants may upload:

• A short video
• Audio recording
• Photo file

This optional component allows programs to showcase activities, spaces, or youth engagement beyond written descriptions.

 

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The 2026 Summer Funding Collaborative RFP offers a significant opportunity for nonprofit organizations to support Baltimore City youth through impactful, high-quality summer programs. With over $4.2 million in available funding, this initiative prioritizes programs that remove financial barriers, provide meals, ensure accessibility, and deliver meaningful developmental experiences. Interested organizations are encouraged to prepare early and submit their full proposal through Formstack by December 3, 2025.

 

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Issued by the Summer Funding Collaborative (SFC)
Deadline: December 3, 2025 

Funding Available: Over $4.2 Million

Click for more information : 2026 SFC RFP