Ramos on the Baltimore Community Foundation’s Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Fund

The Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) should be ashamed of itself for leaving out support for the 6 families who suffered unimaginable loss as a result of the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. This is especially egregious because they fundraised for the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong fund with the express purpose of assisting the families. 

As I said in the Baltimore Banner, BCF must reverse course and provide funding for the families’ needs for at least the next two years. I will add to that, they need to be provided the same level of funding they receive now, if not more.

BCF stated that they ignored the families’ needs because the city started fundraising efforts for the families. However, that does not matter. BCF went back on their promise to assist the families. That promise was made to the families themselves, and the funders from whom funds were raised. In addition, city officials continued to engage BCF only to be met with roadblocks.  

While BCF has acknowledged they will work to rectify the situation, it is not good enough. The Foundation should think deeply about this incident, reflecting on why the families were ignored, how they fundraise to meet community needs, and their communications to funders and the public. They should also rethink all of their decision making and programmatic practices so that our entire diverse community benefits from their work. BCF must also ensure their leadership at the executive and board level is representative of all of our communities. 

It is my contention that our families were ignored because these were Latine residents and immigrants. BCF needs to answer for why they feel Latine lives, and their families are less than everyone else