The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF), a nonprofit organization that connects people who are passionate about their community and purposeful in their philanthropy, has awarded Legacy Forward Grants to 19 organizations across Baltimore City and County to support public programming connected to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The East Baltimore County grant recipients include:
• Todds Inheritance Historic Site for a Revolutionary War presentation series spanning the 2026 and 2027 seasons
• Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River for a speaker series exploring democracy, freedom, and local contributions to the American story.
“After more than 10 years without a flagpole gracing the front of our museum building, the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River is excited to get a new 10-foot flagpole and flag just in time for America’s 250th anniversary,” said Lisa Harlow, president of the Heritage Society.
“This highly visible addition will serve as a daily reminder of our nation’s heritage and create a focal point for commemorations, ceremonies, and community gatherings during the anniversary year and beyond. We are incredibly grateful to the Baltimore Community Foundation for supporting our efforts to show our patriotism and honor our nation.”
Through the fund, BCF designated $250,000 to support exhibitions, performances, lectures, civic dialogue, public art, festivals and educational programming that explore history, civic life, and Baltimore’s place in the American story.
“Our country’s semiquincentennial should inspire, challenge, and unite us,” said Shanaysha Sauls, president and CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation.
“For America’s 250th, BCF is proudly supporting local exhibitions, performances, lectures, civic dialogue, public art, festivals, and educational programming that reflect the richness, history, and importance of Baltimore for the United States. Not only is Legacy Forward a moment to reflect on the past and to project a future, this is an invitation to explore who we are, what endures, and what it means to be free, equal, and independent under the law.”