Funding Baltimore's Changemakers
Imagine a local version of “Shark Tank” where passionate changemakers pitch bold ideas to drive social impact in Baltimore.
What is Turtle Tank?
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.
Why Does it Matter?
Many nonprofits and social enterprises don’t have the resources they need to bring about meaningful change. The Turtle Tank competition provides them with the visibility, expertise, and funding to drive their mission. By supporting the next wave of organizations and community leaders, we’re helping Baltimore grow stronger.
The Ask
Now in its fifth year, the 2026 Turtle Tank Competition is aiming to raise $30,000 to be awarded at GIVE Graduation in November. With your donation, we can ensure all 8 nonprofits can walk away with transformational funding.
About Your Donation
Recipients of prize money will be local nonprofit organizations who are doing good, better in our community. The eight possible 2025 recipients are detailed below.
Online donations can be made by clicking here.
Donations may also 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). 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. Scroll down and click on each nonprofit name below to learn more.
Each giving level is detailed below.
Leatherback Turtle Level: $5,000
- Opportunity to judge the Turtle Tank competition on November 4, 2026
- 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
Green Turtle Level: $2,500
- Opportunity to judge the Turtle Tank competition on November 4, 2026
- 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 4, 2026
- 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 4, 2026
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 5, 2025. The campaign for next year’s Turtle Tank will open in spring 2026!
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 5, 2025 and join us for the in person Graduation, video presentations, and the awards ceremony!
2025 Turtle Tank Winners
iMentor won 1st place, securing $9,000!
Teens with Trauma won Second Place, securing $6,000!
Women Leading Baltimore won Audience Choice, securing $5,235!
Environmental Justice Journal Initiative won 3rd place, securing $4,000!
The Turtle Tank Experience
Turtle Tank occurs once a year during Business Volunteers’ GIVE Fellowship Program, as part of GIVE Graduation. Teams of GIVE Fellows pitch their nonprofits to a crowd of crucial local changemakers. Judges select the winning teams, though all the nonprofits get to walk away with some cash!
Who Are The Judges?
YOU have a chance to be an official judge during Graduation by sponsoring the competition at the $2,500 level or above.
When/Where is GIVE Graduation?
The 2026 GIVE Fellowship graduation will occur on November 4, 2026 from 3:00-5:00 PM at Brown Advisory (901 S. Bond St, #400, Baltimore, MD 21231). Attendees MUST RSVP via Eventbrite. Contact give@businessvolunteersmd.org if you have questions!
Nonprofits for Turtle Tank 2026
Baltimore Family Alliance empowers families to thrive together by fostering meaningful, long-lasting connections among families that encourages them to stay in Baltimore to raise their children.
Our Goal: Build connections between families, provide families with essential resources for family living, and work to improve Baltimore’s schools.
CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth is a literary arts organization founded on the belief that kids’ voices matter. Our mission is to help young people develop as writers and amplify their voices through publication.
God’s Best Family believes that every member of our community should have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We operate community programs to engage, educate, mentor, and guide our youth and their families toward better outcomes. Our programs build relationships, cultivate safety and support, combat poverty and crime, and empower children to dream big and realize their full potential.
The mission of Leader Breeders Inc. is to implement change for inner city youth by providing a space for academic enrichment, career development, physical activity, mentorship, and growing community engagement.
The mission of Next Generation Language Access (NGLA) is to train first and second generation bilingual immigrant high school students to become professional interpreters to provide them with a well-compensated career and to reduce language barriers throughout Baltimore City.
Seize the Days’ mission is to improve the lives of patients and families touched by cancer by helping them find pursuits that bring purpose, meaning, and joy.
TasteWise Kids inspires kids to explore and experience the world of food and its sources.
The mission of Young Queens in Training Inc. is to empower young girls to recognize their worth, develop leadership skills, and build confidence through mentorship, education, and community engagement. We are committed to creating safe and supportive spaces where girls can grow academically, socially, and emotionally while gaining the tools needed to become strong, self-sufficient leaders in their communities.
Every single nonprofit participant received a grant of an equal amount of the remaining prize money.
Thank you to our sponsors for helping us give back to deserving nonprofits!
