How to Help

Cakes for Cause has a variety of opportunities available for people who would like to become involved in the program. We believe in supporting people in the community who want to give back by offering many types of commitment levels. Whether you have a few hours or a few years, your support can help us reach our goals:

One-Time or Short-Term Opportunities

Farmer’s Market—
Cakes for Cause participates in a weekend and a weekday farmer’s market in Frederick and our booths are staffed primarily by volunteers. Not only do you get to sell our fresh baked goods, you also get a freebie just for participating. This opportunity is great for small groups, families with children, and folks who have limited time. May-October every year, email farmersmarket@cakesforcause.org for more information.

5K Cupcake Run, Anniversary Party, Other Fun Stuff—
We occasionally host special events and usually need people to help us run them (and we sometimes ask you to dress up in costumes). If you occasionally have a few hours and are looking for a one-time gig to make a difference in your community, email info@cakesforcause.org to see what’s coming up in the next couple of months.

Long-Term Opportunities

Volunteer Mentors and Advocates—
Our youth apprentices need to know that there are people in our community who are invested in their success. Volunteer advocates may come in and teach a group of our apprentices how to write a cover letter and resume or may role play mock interviews. Or teach other valuable skills like budgeting or writing a college application. Advocates may allow our apprentices to shadow them in their workplace for a day or offer other one-time opportunities to our apprentices. Volunteer mentors are assigned to youth as they enter the program and meet with them weekly for the entire six months. Mentors attend team meetings and provide regular support to the young people as they progress through the program.

Board of Directors—
Do you have what it takes to help govern our organization? Our board is made up of professionals from all walks of life who commit at least two years to their term and meet approximately every six weeks to help lead the organization to reach its vision of providing employment and skills to youth in Maryland and beyond.

Make a Donation—
Cakes for Cause is a unique organization. As a social enterprise, we generate a significant portion of our annual revenue through the retail sales of our baked goods and our intention is that we provide a high-quality, delicious product that keeps our customers loyal. But commercial revenue is only a part of our overall revenue each year. It costs us approximately $10,000 per youth to provide job training (more than $120,000 per year to directly support our apprentices). These costs and our general operating costs…the funds necessary to run a successful café and a fiscally-responsible non-profit…is raised through foundation grants, state and federal funds, fees for service and individual and corporate donations.

Your financial support helps us reach our programmatic goals. Please take this opportunity to make a tax-deductible contribution to Cakes for Cause. It’s as easy as clicking here to donate online or you may mail a contribution directly to us at Cakes for Cause, 22 South Market Street, Suite 3, Frederick, MD 21701. Thank you.