Introducing the ultimate nonprofit storytelling competition!
a GIVE Alumni Initiative
Turtle Tank is a competition founded by alumni of the Business Volunteers GIVE Fellowship as a fun, engaging way to provide monetary support to Baltimore-area nonprofits participating in GIVE Advisory Projects.
Since 2010, The GIVE Fellowship has engaged an annual cohort of professionals dedicated to personal growth and civic leadership in a seven-month intensive program. As a component to the Fellowship, GIVE Fellows work on Advisory Project teams to consult with select, Baltimore-based, grassroots nonprofits on a business challenge they’re facing.
Now in its third year, Turtle Tank is an opportunity for Advisory Project teams to demonstrate their storytelling skills by:
- producing a 90 second video “commercial” about the incredible impact of their nonprofit partners in the Baltimore Region, and
- sharing a presentation on the impact of their project!
At GIVE Graduation on November 7, 2024, we will hold the third annual Turtle Tank competition, where hundreds of stakeholders will gather to celebrate the Fellows and view the commercials and presentations for the first time. Teams who produce the most compelling videos can win the vote of our judges and the audience to secure prize money for their respective nonprofit partners!
All nonprofits walk away with a produced video commercial, a project deliverable, and some monetary award tat can support their organization – everyone’s a winner!
While BVM is itself a nonprofit organization, 100% of money raised for Turtle Tank will be re-granted to the nonprofits participating in GIVE Advisory Projects. More information on these nonprofits can be found below.
Thank you for helping us give back to deserving nonprofits!
Where do your Donations go?
Recipients of prize money will be local nonprofit organizations who are doing good, better in our community. The seven possible 2024 recipients are detailed below.
Donations may be made via check, payable to Business Volunteers Maryland (1201 S. Sharp St, #302, Baltimore MD 21230, please write “Turtle Tank” in the memo line) OR by clicking the “Donate Here” button above to contribute via credit card. Business Volunteers will consolidate the donations and allocate prizes via check to the successful nonprofits who win the Turtle Tank competition.
The nonprofits prioritized for placement with GIVE Fellows are small (<$1M), grassroots organizations serving Baltimore communities. Click on each nonprofit name below to learn more.
Baltimore Community Rowing (BCR) embraces the transformative power of rowing by promoting fitness, competition, and recreation for Maryland residents. BCR actively cultivates a welcoming and inclusive rowing community to reflect the diversity of the Baltimore metro region and build an equitable access point to this life changing sport.
Cornerstone Community Housing has a twofold mission. We are dedicated to helping men experiencing homelessness
rebuild their lives and to changing attitudes toward homelessness through outreach and education.
Lori’s Hands builds mutually beneficial partnerships between community members with chronic illness and college students, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. Students provide practical assistance to support community members’ independence at home, and community members share their health and life experiences to support students’ learning.
Based in the historic Sharp-Ledenhall community, South Creek Community Development Corporation exists to restore purpose, productivity and to empower men, women, and children in the community by improving their overall health. This is accomplished by addressing the issue of food insecurity in the Sharp-Leadenhall Community by assisting neighbors in overcoming hardship by providing nutritious meals and other life sustaining services in an environment that acknowledges the importance of partnering with non-profits, businesses, churches, and social organizations in making a difference in their lives.
Southwest Sports and Fitness Alliance exists to create a complete community-supported system and structure for Southwest Baltimore that supports comprehensive athletic, sports, and fitness opportunities for children, youth, and adults alike.
The Mental Health Emergency Fund exists to increase access to mental health resources by reducing the financial barriers that impede marginalized individuals from accessing care. We do this through a stipend program for applicants in crisis who have less than $1000 in savings.
Waverly Main Street is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the commercial revitalization of the Greenmount Avenue commercial corridor. Founded in 2000, WMS is an original member of Baltimore Main Streets and is an accredited main street organization with a focus on ensuring the continued success of the Historic Waverly community.
2024 Turtle Tank Winners
Cornerstone Community Housing won 1st place, securing $7,500!
South Creek Community Development Corporation won 2nd place, securing $5,000!
Every single nonprofit participant received a grant of an equal amount of the remaining prize money.
Southwest Sports & Fitness Alliance won 3rd place, securing $2,500!
It is preferred to donate through the link that can be found here. Alternatively, we can accept a check made out to Business Volunteers Maryland with “Turtle Tank” in the Memo line. Checks should be mailed to 1201 S. Sharp St., #302 Baltimore, MD 21230.
YOU have a chance to be an official judge during Graduation by sponsoring the competition at the $2,500 level or above. Judges from previous years have included GIVE alumni, board members, and partners of BVM.
Each giving level is detailed below.
Leatherback Turtle Level: $5,000
- Opportunity to judge the Turtle Tank competition on November 7, 2024
- Name/logo recognition on ceremonial checks to competition winners
- Named in event remarks & logo recognition in event presentation
- Standalone social media highlight on BVM’s Facebook and Instagram channels
- Named in press release
- Opportunity to judge the Turtle Tank competition on November 7, 2024
- Named in event remarks & logo recognition in event presentation
- Logo included in social media highlight on BVM’s Facebook and Instagram channels
Loggerhead Turtle Level: $1,500
- Invitation to Turtle Tank competition on November 7, 2024
- Named in social media highlight on BVM’s Facebook and Instagram channels
- Name listed in event presentation.
Snapping Turtle Level: $250
- Invitation to Turtle Tank competition on November 7, 2024
Painted Turtle Level: $25-$249
- Prefer to make an individual contribution? Gifts of any size support our nonprofit partners. Thank you!
Donations will be collected through GIVE Graduation on November 7, 2024. The campaign for next year’s Turtle Tank will open in spring 2025!
If you have already donated or cannot donate at this time, share with your network to spread the word. Stay tuned for fundraising events where you can socialize, network and give back all at the same time. Also, save the date for November 7, 2024 and join us for the in person Graduation, video presentations, and the awards ceremony!
2024 GIVE Fellowship graduation will be November 7, 2024 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Brown Advisory (901 S. Bond St, #400, Baltimore, MD 21231). Attendees MUST RSVP via Eventbrite. Contact [email protected] if you have questions!
