Baltimore City Data Access for Nonprofits - Steps

Technology and Data Maryland 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 08, 2026 Flag of Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland nonprofits often need city-held datasets for program evaluation, funding applications, and academic research. This guide explains how nonprofits can request, access, and use Baltimore city data, what departments handle requests, typical timelines, and practical steps to reduce delays. Where the city publishes data openly, start with the official Open Data Portal and the city's data policy [1]. For records not published online, requests follow the city's public records and open-data processes and may involve the Law Department or specific operating agencies.

Who handles nonprofit data requests

Responsibility varies by dataset: operational agencies (Police, Health, Planning) control their records; the City Law Department and Mayor's Office maintain overall policy and legal review for public records and data-sharing agreements.

How to request data

  • Identify the dataset and owning department; check the Open Data Portal first.
  • Prepare a clear scope: file types, date ranges, geography, and intended research use.
  • Contact the agency records officer or submit a formal public records request when data is not published.
  • Include deadlines and any expedited processing justification if time-sensitive.
  • Budget for reasonable reproduction or processing fees where permitted.
Start with the Open Data Portal before filing formal requests to avoid delays.

Data-sharing agreements and restrictions

Some datasets require data-use agreements, non-disclosure clauses, or de-identification steps when records include personal or security-sensitive information. Agencies may impose use restrictions, publication controls, or require institutional review assurances for research involving human subjects.

Penalties & Enforcement

Baltimore's published open-data pages and agency guidance do not list specific monetary fines for unlawful data use; specific penalties for misuse or breach of data-sharing agreements are not specified on the cited page [1]. Enforcement typically uses contractual remedies, administrative order, or referral to the City Solicitor for civil action when agreements are breached.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first and repeat measures are not quantified on the cited page; enforcement is fact-specific.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: termination of access, injunctive relief, contract termination, or civil claims.
  • Enforcer: City Law Department and the data-owning agency; complaints routed through agency records officers or Law Department intake.
  • Appeals/review: agency administrative review or legal appeal; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
If a data-use agreement is signed, breach remedies are contractual and can include termination of access.

Applications & Forms

Where datasets are published openly no application is required. For restricted datasets, agencies may require a Data Use Agreement or public records request form; specific form names, numbers, fees, or submission addresses are not listed on the cited Open Data Portal page [1]. Contact the owning agency for their published request form or the City Law Department for template agreements.

Practical action steps

  • Search the Open Data Portal for an existing dataset.
  • Draft a narrow, specific request if the data is not online.
  • Contact the agency records officer to ask about formats, redaction, and fees.
  • Negotiate a Data Use Agreement when needed and obtain Law Department review.
  • Pay any lawful fees and track delivery timelines.

FAQ

How long does a nonprofit request typically take?
Times vary by agency and scope; published datasets are immediate, while formal public records requests can take days to weeks depending on complexity and redaction needs.
Can nonprofits get raw, identifiable data for research?
Identifiable data is restricted; agencies may provide de-identified extracts or require data-use agreements and oversight.
Are there fees for data requests?
Some agencies may charge reasonable reproduction or processing fees; specific fee schedules must be confirmed with the owning agency.

How-To

  1. Locate the dataset on the Open Data Portal or identify the responsible agency.
  2. Prepare a written request specifying fields, dates, geography, and file format.
  3. Submit the request to the agency records officer or through the city's public records channel.
  4. If access is denied or data is restricted, request a formal review or consult the City Law Department.
  5. Negotiate a data-use agreement if required and fulfil any compliance conditions before use.

Key Takeaways

  • Always check the Open Data Portal before filing formal requests.
  • Prepare a narrow, clear scope to speed agency responses.
  • Expect data-use agreements for sensitive or identifiable records.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Baltimore Open Data Portal - Policies and datasets

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