Logo for the Baltimore City Casino Local Impact Fund. Shows a side view of the Hanover Street Vietnam Veteran Memorial Bridge.

FY28 Casino Local Impact Fund Request Form 

The Baltimore City Department of Planning welcomes community partners and agencies to submit funding requests for Casino Local Impact Funds, (CLIF). This funding can be used for a wide variety of community development projects in the South Baltimore Gateway District, including infrastructure improvements; facilities; public safety; sanitation; economic and community development, including housing; and other public services and improvements.

Funding Request Period: 

The online application form will open for an eight-week application period from July 1, 2026 to August 31, 2026. 

Please note: Individuals do not apply directly for personal assistance through the FY28 CLIF Form. If funds were previously awarded to a resident-facing program, such as homeowner repair assistance or down payment assistance, residents will apply through that program’s separate application process. 

Eligible Neighborhoods

CLIF funding must benefit the South Baltimore Gateway District. To verify your project's address, please use this interactive map of the eligible area. Eligible neighborhoods include:

Barre Circle
Baltimore Peninsula
Carroll-Camden Industrial Area
Cherry Hill
Federal Hill
Lakeland
Mount Winans
Otterbein
Pigtown / Washington Village
Ridgely’s Delight
Riverside
Sharp-Leadenhall
South Baltimore Neighborhood
Spring Garden Industrial Area
Stadium Area / Entertainment District
Westport

South Baltimore Gateway map

FY28 CLIF Key Dates

  • Monday, June 1, 2026: Guidelines published / preview period begins.
  • Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 10–11 AM: First Information Meeting, virtual.
  • Wednesday, June 10, 2026, 6–8 PM: Second Information Meeting, hybrid at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center. 
  • Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 10–11 AM: Third Information Meeting, virtual.
  • Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 6–8 PM: Fourth Information Meeting, hybrid at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center. 
  • Wednesday, July 1, 2026: Funding Request form opens.
  • Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 10 AM–12 PM: First Technical Assistance Open House, virtual.
  • Wednesday, July 8, 2026, 6–8 PM: Second Technical Assistance Open House, hybrid at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center.
  • Thursday, July 23, 2026, 10 AM–12 PM: Third Technical Assistance Open House, virtual.
  • Thursday, July 23, 2026, 6–8 PM: Fourth Technical Assistance Open House, hybrid at Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center. Dinner will be served; RSVP appreciated
  • Friday, July 31, 2026, Cancelled. 
  • Friday, August 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time: Funding Request form closes.
  • September 2026: Staff review.
  • October 2026: Local Development Council review. 
  • December 2026: Proposed Spending Plan published. 
  • January 2028: Final LDC recommendations transmitted to the Mayor. 
  • January–May 2027: Budget integration and approval.
  • Thursday, July 1, 2027: FY28 funding available, subject to final Mayor and City Council budget approval.

FY27 CLIF Programs with Public Application Opportunities

Some FY27 CLIF-funded programs will have their own application, intake, or registration process. These programs are separate from the FY28 CLIF Request Form.

More information will be posted when each program is ready to accept applications. Sign up for the CLIF newsletter to receive updates.

Homeowner Repair Assistance

CLIF is supporting homeowner repair assistance through the FY27 Community Development Fund.

This program is intended to help eligible homeowners in the South Baltimore Gateway District make needed home repairs or improvements. The exact program guidelines are being developed with the Department of Housing and Community Development.

More information about eligibility, timing, and how to apply will be shared when available.

Down Payment Assistance / Homebuying Assistance

CLIF is also supporting down payment assistance, or similar homebuying assistance, through the FY27 Community Development Fund.

This support is expected to help eligible buyers purchase recently remodeled vacant houses in the South Baltimore Gateway District. The exact program guidelines are being developed with the Department of Housing and Community Development.

More information about eligibility, timing, and how to apply will be shared when available.

South Baltimore Gateway Cultural Spaces Support Grant Program

CLIF is supporting a pilot Cultural Spaces Support Grant Program for nonprofit and community organizations.

This program is expected to support small-to-medium scale cultural and artistic fixtures in the South Baltimore Gateway District. Examples may include public art, placemaking, cultural space improvements, or similar projects. The program will be managed by Baltimore National Heritage Area.

More information about eligibility, timing, and how to apply will be shared when available.

YouthWorks Summer Employment

CLIF supports YouthWorks summer employment opportunities for South Baltimore youth.

YouthWorks (External Link) is a City summer jobs program for young people. CLIF funding helps support South Baltimore youth participation.

St. Veronica’s Summer Academy

CLIF supports St. Veronica’s Summer Academy, a literacy-based summer program serving children in Cherry Hill.

Program registration is managed through the program provider, not through the FY28 CLIF NOFO. Learn more on the St. Veronica’s Summer Camp (External Link) website.

Summer Head Start

CLIF supports Summer Head Start programming through Catholic Charities Head Start of Baltimore City.

This program helps expand summer early childhood education opportunities for South Baltimore families. Program enrollment is managed through the program provider, not through the FY28 CLIF NOFO. Learn more through Catholic Charities Head Start of Baltimore City (External Link).

Environmental Education and School Sustainability Projects

CLIF supports environmental education and school sustainability projects in South Baltimore Gateway District schools.

These projects may include school gardens, outdoor learning spaces, recycling, composting, field trips, Green School support, and other environmental education activities. Participation is coordinated through the program provider and schools, not through the FY28 CLIF NOFO. Learn more about the Green Healthy Smart Challenge (External Link).

Stay Updated

Program details, application dates, public meetings, and other CLIF updates will be shared through the CLIF newsletter.

Sign up for the CLIF newsletter (External Link) to receive updates about grant opportunities, community events, and for Local Development Council Meetings.

Other CLIF Resources

For more background on CLIF, spending plans, reports, and Local Development Council materials, visit the 

Casino Local Impact Funds Program

CLIF Spending Plans and Quarterly Reports 

Baltimore Casino Local Development Council

LDC Meetings, Minutes, and Resources.

Questions

For questions about CLIF funding opportunities, contact: CLIF@baltimorecity.gov.