In the hours following the deadly collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday, the Baltimore community did what it does best— quickly responding with an outpouring of support.
Churches in surrounding neighborhoods like Turner Station and Dundalk hosted interfaith prayer vigils for those impacted. Members of the North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department collected donated food and water for first-responder teams and nearby firehouses, while local restaurants like Ekiben, Jimmy’s Seafood, and Hard Yacht Café delivered hot meals. Meanwhile, the Anchor Bay Marina provided fuel for search-and-rescue vessels.
The incident has claimed at least two lives, with two construction workers rescued and four others still missing and presumed dead. On Thursday, after a dayslong search, recovery efforts shifted to a salvage operation around the wreckage in order for divers to continue safely surveying the area.
Now, various funds and resources have emerged, offering ways for the general public to get involved and give back.
This list will continue to be updated.
Fundraising and Donations
Key Bridge Emergency Response Fund: In 48 hours, the Towson-based immigrant advocacy nonprofit Latino Racial Justice Circle Inc. raised more than $98,000 to be sent directly to families of the victims, all of whom are native to Latin America. They are now directing all donations to the Baltimore Civic Fund, which, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, will support the families of both victims and survivors, and allow both individuals and organizations to make one-time or ongoing donations.
The Baltimore Community Foundation Key Bridge Emergency Fund: This community-focused philanthropic nonprofit is now accepting both small and large donations for its new fund, dedicated solely to providing immediate and ongoing support to those impacted by the bridge collapse, with the initial focus being families, port workers, first responders, and Southeast Baltimore small businesses.
United Way Key Bridging the Gap Fund: In the wake of the closure of the Port of Baltimore and the cutoff of a vital section of I-695, this new fund from the United Way of Central Maryland will support efforts in eviction prevention, food access, and other mid- and long-term needs of those affected by the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. The nonprofit also encouraged those individuals to call their multi-lingual helpline to connect to supportive resources and services.
The Baltimore International Seafarers Center: This local nonprofit provides a variety of services and resources, such as hospitality and transportation, for the many international crew members who find themselves temporarily living in Baltimore while docked at the port of Baltimore. Ten vessels, including cargo and bulk carriers, chemical tankers, and naval ships, are said to currently be stuck in the harbor as traffic in or out of the Patapsco River has been suspended until further notice. Donations can be made to the BISC’s effort through their website.
The U.S. Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association, Baltimore Chapter: The local chapter of this national association has been assisting in relief efforts at the Key Bridge Incident Command Post in Dundalk, delivering collected donations and ready-to-eat meals to Coast Guard members, partner agencies, and other first responders who are on site day and night. Donations to support their efforts can be made online.
Support First Responders with Boat Baltimore: While surrounding churches and fire departments have currently stopped accepting donated items due to a deluge of support in the immediate aftermath, Fells Point-based charter boat captain Bobby Lapin is helping direct additional items, such as water and snacks from local residents, as well as prepared meals by local restaurants, to the Maryland Cruise Terminal for first responders.
Dinner in the Mourning Culinary Disaster Relief: In 2023, local chef and Crust by Mack owner Amanda Mack founded this culinary disaster relief group following the mass shooting that took place in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Southeast Baltimore. With the support of other local chefs and restaurants, her goal is to provide immediate food support to victims, families, and emergency response teams in times of crisis. A GoFundMe is currently raising monetary donations to feed those affected by the accident.
Local Businesses Showing Support
Double Dutch Boutique: On Friday April 6, during “First Friday,” this Hampden clothing store will donate 20-percent of all sales to the city’s Key Bridge Emergency Response Fund, with additional items now 20-percent off.
Tiki Lee’s Dock Bar Fundraiser Event: On Sunday April 7, this Sparrows Point dock bar will host a fundraiser with food, drink, live music, an auction, and a raffle, plus a 50-percent discount to all first responders and both MDOT and MDTA employees, with 15 percent of all sales donated to the families of the victims of the bridge collapse.
Mama’s on the Half Shell & Nacho Mama’s Fundraiser: On Wednesday April 10, the Mama’s Restaurant Group will donate a portion of proceeds from meals served between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. at all four locations in Canton, Towson, and Owings Mills to the families of the victims of the bridge collapse via Construction Angels, a nonprofit dedicated to finance assistance and grief counseling for families of construction workers who have lost their lives on the job site.
Key Bridge Memorial Photograph Prints: Local visionary Juliet Ames—the artist best known for spearheading the transformation of the city’s yellow salt boxes—has created a “Baltimore Strong” print of the bridge as a tribute to the victims. Ames is now selling photo prints of the design for $12 on her website, with proceeds benefitting the Key Bridge Emergency Response Fund.
Max’s Taphouse: For the next month, following donation guidelines from local elected officials, the Fells Point beer bar will be donating 100 percent of sales from all Key Brewing Co. kegs to support the families impacted by the bridge collapse. The Dundalk brewery’s name and logo are a nod to the bridge, located less than two miles away from its facility.
The Point in Fells: Wednesday through Monday, this Fells Point restaurant and bar is now offering a 50-percent discount on dinners for all first responders.
Key Brewing Support the Port Benefit Concert: On Friday, March 29, Key Brewing Co. in Dundalk will be hosting a benefit concert to raise funds for the neighborhood’s port workers, with an estimated 8,000 employees of the nearby Port of Baltimore currently unemployed in the wake of the collapse. From 4 to 9 p.m., there will be live music, food, beer, and a silent auction at the brewery. In addition to raffle donations and money collected onsite by the Maryland Waterways Foundation, the brewery (whose name and logo are a nod to the bridge, located less than two miles from their site) will donate 10 percent of the night’s beer sales to the same cause.
Additional resources: Both the City of Baltimore and CASA of Maryland, a leading immigrant advocacy group based in Baltimore, have gathered a list of resources, including donation funds and mental health providers. The United Way of Central Maryland also has a free helpline that directs callers impacted by these events to essential services, such as food distribution, healthcare, childcare, and mortgage and rent assistance. The Maryland Department of Labor has created an unemployment insurance hotline and online application for individuals whose work has been affected by the collapse.