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Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong

The Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Alliance (MTBSA) is a cross-sector collaboration of philanthropic, business, and community organizations and leaders committed to ensuring a full recovery following the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

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The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) have opened the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Small Business Support Grants program. The $5 million initiative provides funding to intermediary organizations that assist small businesses and communities affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Letters of interest are now being accepted on a rolling basis.

A boat navigates the aftermath of the bridge tragedy.

An Unimaginable Tragedy, An Unprecedented Response

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, March 26, 2024, Baltimore's Key Bridge collapsed, leading to the tragic loss of six construction workers and blocking the primary waterway leading to the Port of Baltimore. In addition to the impacts on the families of those who lost their lives, thousands of workers will be impacted by the disruption to port operations.

Maryland's Governor Wes Moore is leading the complex recovery efforts in partnership with local, state, and federal officials. National philanthropic and business leaders have come together through this Alliance to support recovery and resilience efforts for families, port workers, first responders, small businesses, and communities affected by this tragedy. Gov. Moore serves as the honorary chair of the Alliance, and Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman serve as honorary co-chairs.

A boat navigates the aftermath of the bridge tragedy.

Partnership produces progress, and that philosophy is at the heart of this Alliance. I am grateful for the industry leaders and community champions who have raised their hands to join us in this effort. They prove what it means to be Maryland Tough and Baltimore Strong – across sectors and society. By working together, we will emerge from this challenge stronger and more united than ever.

—Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland

Our Work

The Alliance will work with businesses that are directly involved in the port to minimize the impact on their workers and operations, and the local economy.

How you can help

Alliance members make at least one strong, concrete commitment to help recovery efforts, the most urgent of which include:

  • A commitment to retaining workers impacted by the port operations and/or preventing layoffs for impacted workers.
  • A commitment to ensuring that impacted workers do not experience a reduction in work hours
  • A commitment to returning to Baltimore if a business or organization had to temporarily relocate operations or staff.
  • A donation to the Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Fund at the Baltimore Community Foundation.

Alliance members are also welcome to contribute in other ways that are aligned with their unique capabilities and provide direct support to the people most impacted by the bridge collapse.

Alliance Partners

We are grateful to these Alliance members who have committed to supporting the recovery and resilience efforts now and into the future.