The Baltimore Community Foundation recently announced a $1.4 million donation for The William Donald Schaefer Civic Fund from the private foundation established in 2008 in former Governor William Donald Schaefer's will. The foundation was launched with the intention of supporting neighborhood improvement projects across Baltimore, which was Schaefer' primary focus throughout his career.

At the same time, the Baltimore Community Foundation also announced the winners of the 2012 Neighborhood Grants Program. Altogether, 28 projects will receive a portion of the $137,880 for neighborhood and community improvement initiatives.

Some of the recipients include Access Art or Morrell Park and Southwest Baltimore, Banner Neighborhoods Community Corporation of Southeast Baltimore, Charles North Cooperative Garden of Charles North and Creative Alliance of Highlandtown. Paul's Place of Washington Village and Pigtown, the Seton Hill Association and My Brother's Keeper for Irvington also received a portion of the awarded grants to fund their work across the city.

When nonprofit organizations are planning projects that will benefit the local community, they might consider using grant management software to identify and appeal to potential donors.