Port workers who have been impacted by port closures from the Key Bridge collapse may be eligible for direct cash assistance thanks to a new partnership between the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) and the CASH Campaign of Maryland (CASH Campaign).
This direct cash assistance program is made possible through the BCF’s “Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund,” created because of an outpouring of support from businesses and philanthropists from across the region and the nation in the immediate aftermath of the Key Bridge collapsing.
Community-based organizations are also invited to apply for grants from the fund that supports first responders and their families, port workers and their families, and the communities surrounding the Key Bridge and Port.
The cash assistance given out through the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong partnership will be in addition to the funds distributed by the Port of Baltimore Worker Support Program, which is administered through the Maryland Department of Labor. “BCF and CASH Campaign have instituted expenditure responsibility guidelines that provide quality assurance and ease of compliance and partnered with SteadyImpact to create the application and provide the payments,” according to the press release.
“We know that people give to the Baltimore Community Foundation because they trust us to honor donor intent and maximize the impact of their donations,” said Shanaysha Sauls, president and chief executive officer of the Baltimore Community Foundation, in a statement. “For the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund, our task is to thoughtfully align and faithfully steward the outpouring of generosity and compassion with where the needs are. Right now, the need for money to pay bills and support families is high among port workers who have been unable to return to work as usual.”
Recipients of Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund direct cash assistance must have been employed at the Port of Baltimore as of March 26, 2024.
“Employees of Port businesses, including union workers, independent contractors, solo owner-operators, and the self-employed who work at the Port’s public and private terminals are eligible for the one-time payment of $1,000 per person,” reads the press release.
“The people of our state are stepping up and proving what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong,” said Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement. “I am grateful for our partners at the Baltimore Community Foundation and the CASH Campaign of Maryland, who have raised their hands to serve. Partnership produces progress, and we will continue to do everything we can to support Marylanders affected by the bridge collapse.”
Robin McKinney and Sara Johnson, co-founders and CEO/COO respectively of CASH Campaign of Maryland, said “The nonprofit CASH Campaign of Maryland is proud to partner with the Baltimore Community Foundation to help port workers who have been impacted because of the Key Bridge collapse. We are grateful to all the workers and businesses who keep our economy moving. The Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund will directly help the lives of the workers who have been so affected by this tragedy. We urge those eligible to apply for funds as soon as the application portal is available.”
The online portal for applications is open as of Friday, May 10, 2024, and people can apply in English or Spanish by clicking this link.
People can also apply in person with assistance at the following locations:
Community Assistance Network
- 7900 E. Baltimore St., Dundalk, Md. 21224
- Monday – Friday; 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- English assistance available
City of Refuge – Baltimore
- 3501 Seventh St., Baltimore Md. 21225
- Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- English and Spanish assistance available
Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency
- 613 Global Way, Linthicum Heights, Md. 21090
- Monday – Friday; 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- English and Spanish assistance available
The Worker’s Support Center
- 2501 Broening Highway, Baltimore Md. 21224
- Monday – Friday; 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- English and Spanish assistance available
Anyone interested in donating to the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund at BCF can do so by clicking this link or contacting Vice President of Philanthropy Ashley Mancinelli at this email address.
Nonprofits interested in applying for assistance can do so by clicking this link.
“Since the beginning of this response, we’ve made our commitment clear: we will do everything in our power to support those most impacted by this unthinkable tragedy,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Honorary Co-chair of the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance. “We know that direct support like this can be game changing for families who are continuing to deal with the economic fallout, and CASH Campaign of Maryland has been a trusted partner in delivering this type of financial support for a long time. This is yet another example of the partnership and generosity that has come to define Maryland’s response, and I am grateful to everyone who has made it possible.”
FAQs about the Baltimore Community Foundation’s Key Bridge Grants can be found by clicking this link.
