Fundraiser to support Homecoming Heroes, partner organizations and the Baltimore Community Foundation Evolving Community Needs Fund

Baltimore Homecoming announced today the launch of “Campaign for Baltimore’s Heroes,” a coordinated effort to raise $1,000,000, build meaningful bridges to action for Baltimore alumni located across the country and meaningfully invest in Baltimore’s people and institutions virtually as they face challenging circumstances amid the pandemic.

"This is a pivotal time in Baltimore City,” said Dan Schochor, Baltimore Homecoming’s executive director. “In lieu of gathering in person this year, we’re launching this campaign to harness the energy, resources, excitement and spirit of our Baltimore alumni and local community to help drive action.”

The $1,000,000 raised will be directly distributed among three giving areas:

• All 2018 and 2019 Homecoming Heroes – Community leaders that were chosen by thousands of Baltimoreans during Baltimore Homecoming’s annual Homecoming Hero Awards program.
• Baltimore Homecoming partner organizations – Organizations that participated in Homecoming 2018 and 2019 as field trip hosts, venue operators and presenters. These organizations are seen as impactful and community-minded anchor institutions in Baltimore.
• COVID relief efforts through the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) Evolving Community Needs Fund – 100% of proceeds from this fund go to community-based organizations providing urgent needs like food assistance, credible information distribution, remote learning technology and community health programs among others.

The campaign is engaging both Baltimore alumni that have learned about these organizations through their experience at previous Homecoming events, and the local community, to help meet its fundraising goal by March 30, 2021. Funds will be raised through GiveGab, an interactive and online crowdfunding platform, where donors will have the option to give to the entire campaign, to one giving area or directly to one or more organizations of their choice. Each nonprofit will have a profile that communicates its mission, and financial and human capital needs, through images, videos, content and regular updates. To help make an immediate impact, funds will be distributed within five to 10 business days of being received.

In addition to financial support, Baltimore Homecoming aims to build meaningful bridges to action through board placements and mentorship arrangements connecting alumni to Baltimore organizations based on expressed interest and expertise.

Baltimore Homecoming was established to build a network of accomplished Baltimoreans from across the U.S. and connect them with the leaders and doers building a brighter future for the city. Since launching in 2017 and hosting its first event in 2018, the organization has been successful in helping to bring family foundations to Baltimore, facilitating alumni investment in local startup companies and driving substantial contributions to nonprofit organizations across the city. Baltimore Homecoming made the difficult decision to cancel its 2020 event and is planning to announce its Fall 2021 date by the end of 2020.

View a full list of participating nonprofits below, and learn more or donate today, by visiting giving.baltimorehomecoming.com.

About Baltimore Homecoming, Inc.

Baltimore Homecoming, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization designed to gather Baltimore’s most accomplished natives and alumni from around the U.S. and the world to spark new partnerships, investments and collaborations; make connections to the city’s next generation of innovators, artists, activists and community leaders; and to reawaken and deepen our personal ties to the city. Founded by Nate Loewentheil and JM Schapiro, who serve respectively as President & Chair of the Board and Board Treasurer, Baltimore Homecoming engages the professional community through its Board of Directors which includes Loewentheil, Schapiro, Rachel Bendit, Michael Chesser, chairman emeritus of Great Plains Energy, Brandon Etheridge, general counsel for the Baltimore Ravens, Michael Fader, vice president of MileOne Holdings, Ganesha Martin, consultant, Sophia Silbergeld, director of strategic partnerships at Adeo Advocacy and Brittany Young, founder and CEO of B-360. More information is available at www.baltimorehomecoming.com.