The Knott Foundation’s General Fund Grants program is the organization’s primary responsive grantmaking mechanism, designed to support nonprofits serving the Archdiocese of Baltimore. This area includes Baltimore City and the counties of Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington. Since its founding, the program has awarded over $70 million to organizations working in arts and humanities, Catholic activities, education, health care, and human services. The Foundation seeks to strengthen community infrastructure, improve access to opportunity, and foster safe, healthy environments for individuals and families.
Grants through this program are structured as one-year awards and must be fully expended within twelve months of issuance. The minimum request amount is $10,000, while the median award is approximately $45,000. Multi-year grants are not considered under this funding vehicle. Applications are accepted three times a year—February, June, and October—and the process begins with the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Applicants may only submit one LOI per year. The deadline for the upcoming LOI submission is February 2, 2026, with full proposals due March 23, 2026, if invited.
Eligibility is restricted to nonprofits that align with the Foundation’s guidelines and operate within the geographic scope of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Ineligible applicants and projects include individuals, public sector agencies, charter and public schools, endowments, medical research, scholarships, political activities, and services in direct conflict with Catholic Church teachings. All funded organizations must have been in operation for at least one year.
The submission process begins with the LOI via the Foundation’s grants portal. If an LOI is advanced, the applicant will receive a phone call and email with instructions for submitting a full proposal. A mandatory site visit is required for all full proposal applicants. Funding decisions are made approximately ten weeks after the proposal deadline. Notification is delivered via phone and email. A six-month interim conversation is expected, and final written reports are due one year post-award.
Organizations denied at the LOI stage may reapply one year after notification, while those denied post-full proposal may reapply after one year as well. Awarded organizations must wait three years before reapplying. The Foundation maintains its commitment to ensuring the process is fair and supportive, aiming to create impactful change through strategic, localized philanthropy.
Ensure clear mission alignment with one of five funding areas; geographic and faith-based eligibility are strictly enforced.
