Sunflower field
The Sunflower Foundation — Est. 2025
We, too, bloom.
The Sunflower Benefit 2026 · Benefiting Roberta's House
00Days
·
00Hours
·
00Mins
·
00Secs
June 14th 2026 12:00pm — 5:30pm Patapsco State Park
Our Mission

The sunflower doesn't wait
for perfect conditions.

It pushes through difficult soil, turns its face toward whatever light exists, and grows something remarkable from almost nothing. That's what community looks like when it's working. The Sunflower Foundation exists because we believe every neighborhood, every family, every person carries the capacity to grow something greater than themselves, but only when we grow together. This isn't just a foundation. It's a movement. And every seed planted here becomes part of something that outlasts a single season, a single event, a single act of giving. We invite you to be part of what's growing.

$1,443
Our 2026 fundraising goal for Roberta's House
Roberta's House
Our 2026 charity partner — free grief support for Baltimore families affected by violent crime and loss
100%
Of every donation this year goes directly to Roberta's House, our selected 2026 charity partner
Sunflower field
$1,443 — The 443 Goal

Every dollar a seed.
Every seed a story.

Our 2026 fundraising goal is $1,443. This year, 100% of donations benefit Roberta's House, our selected charity partner for 2026.

Progress toward 2026 goalLoading...
$0 raisedGoal: $1,443
This Season

The Sunflower Benefit 2026

Our second annual gathering, bigger, more purposeful, and rooted in the same community spirit that made year one unforgettable.

Date
Sunday, June 14th 2026
Time
12:00pm — 5:30pm
Location
Patapsco State Park
Pickall Area · Pavilion 706
Entry
Minimum Charitable Donation
Adults $15 · Children $5
The Cause

Every dollar raised
at the Sunflower Benefit
goes here.

For 2026, the Sunflower Foundation has selected Roberta's House as our charity partner. A Baltimore nonprofit delivering free grief counseling and trauma support to children and families affected by violent crime and loss. Each year we select a cause that speaks to the heart of community. This year, it's Roberta's House.

Our 2026 Charity Partner

Roberta's House

Roberta's House is a community-based nonprofit providing a safe healing space for those impacted by violent crime and loss of life, specifically focused on low-income children, teens, and families in Baltimore. Every service they provide is completely free.

Selected by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and the Baltimore Ravens out of over 80 applicants for their Huddle Up for Health grant, Roberta's House is recognized across the region for their trauma-informed care and deep community roots.

$15
funds one grief counseling session for a child
$25
supports a family through their first week of trauma services
$50
helps train a grief support volunteer
$1,443
our 2026 goal — funds a full season of programming
Why We Chose Them

A cause that grows
from the ground up.

When we started thinking about who to support with the Sunflower Benefit, we wanted a cause that felt close to home. In Baltimore, too many families are navigating grief and trauma without the resources to heal. Roberta's House fills that gap quietly, completely free, and with real compassion. That felt like exactly where community dollars should go.

Our $1,443 goalLoading...
$0 raisedGoal: $1,443

100% of donations compiled and delivered directly to Roberta's House following the event. The Sunflower Foundation covers all operating costs independently.

This Season — 2026

The Sunflower
Benefit 2026.

What began as the Sunflower Party has evolved into something greater. There is a field. We'll meet you there.

Event Details

Everything you need to know.

Date
Sunday, June 14th 2026
Time
12:00pm — 5:30pm
Doors open at noon
Location
Patapsco State Park
Pickall Area · Pavilion 706 · Baltimore County, MD
Entry
Minimum Charitable Donation
Adults $15 · Children $5
Adult Entry
$15 minimum donation
100% to Roberta's House
Child Entry
$5 minimum donation
Children 12 and under
Sunflower field
Questions

Frequently asked.

How do I RSVP?
Visit our Givebutter page, select your ticket type, and complete your minimum charitable donation. You'll receive a confirmation email with your QR code for check-in.
Where exactly in Patapsco State Park?
We're at the Pickall Area, Pavilion 706. Follow signs for the Pickall Area upon entering the park. Parking is available on site.
Can I bring alcohol?
Yes — this is a BYOB event for alcohol and any specialty drinks you prefer. Water, lemonade, iced tea, and soda are provided. Please drink responsibly and no glass containers.
Can I bring my own food?
Absolutely. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks for themselves and their family. If you'd like to bring a dish to share with the community, please contact us at hello.sunflowerfoundation@gmail.com for approval ahead of time.
Are children welcome?
Absolutely. Children 12 and under attend with a $5 minimum donation. There will be a playground, field games, basketball, and activities for kids throughout the day.
Where does my donation go?
100% of your donation goes directly to Roberta's House, our selected 2026 charity partner. The Sunflower Foundation covers all event operating costs independently.
What if it rains?
The pavilion provides covered shelter. The event proceeds rain or shine. We'll post weather updates in The Garden closer to the date.
Volunteer

Grow something
greater.

The Sunflower Benefit runs entirely on community energy. Every volunteer role is essential. This is your chance to be part of building something that grows year over year.

Volunteer Perks

What you get for giving your time.

Complimentary entry — donation requirement waived
Exclusive Sunflower Foundation pin
Be part of the foundation's origin story
Available Roles

Find your place in the garden.

Grill Master
2 spots available
Operate both grills, manage charcoal, cook burgers, dogs, and sausages throughout the event. Arrive 45 minutes early.
Food Table
2 spots available
Manage food setup and restocking throughout the event. Keep sides, condiments, and the serving line flowing smoothly.
Drink Station
1 spot available
Manage drink dispensers, soda, and ice. Coordinate popsicle distribution at 2pm. Keep everything stocked and cold.
Check-In
2 spots available
Greet guests at entry, verify donation confirmation via Givebutter QR scan, manage entry flow throughout the arrival period.
Field Games Coordinator
2 spots available
Organize and run outdoor field games for kids and adults. Manage basketball court and lawn games. Keep energy high all day.
Event Journalist
1 spot available
Dedicated photographer and videographer for the full event. Captures crowd, candid moments, donation table, and the final reveal.
Trash and Breakdown
2 spots available
Circulate with trash bags throughout the event. Lead full breakdown at close. Transport all trash to dump after the event ends.
Donation Table Ambassador
1 spot available
Manage the on-site donation station. Help guests scan the QR code, answer questions about Roberta's House, and secure cash donations.
Floater
1 spot available
No fixed assignment. Respond to needs across the event as they arise. The most important role on the team.
Apply to Volunteer

Join the team.

Submit your application below. We'll review and confirm your role within 48 hours. Once approved you'll receive instructions to claim your complimentary ticket on Givebutter.

The Garden

Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Give back.

The Garden is our community space. Official announcements from the Sunflower Foundation and a place for registered guests to connect, ask questions, and share excitement. All posts are reviewed before publishing.

Announcements

From the foundation.

Official announcements including the next event date and details will be posted here as they're confirmed. Check back soon.

Community

Plant something here.

Questions, excitement, and feedback are welcome here. All submissions are reviewed by the Sunflower Foundation before publishing. Anonymous posts are not accepted — your name and email are required.

Our Roots

The deeper the roots,
the brighter the bloom.

Every chapter of the Sunflower Foundation lives here. Each event, each dollar raised, each community that gathered documented and preserved as the roots that feed everything we're growing.

The Sunflower Party — Year One
2025 · Inaugural
1st
Annual event
~75
Attendees
Potluck
Food model
The first Sunflower Party brought the community together at Patapsco State Park with a potluck food model, outdoor games, and the simple belief that gathering together matters. It was the seed that made everything else possible.
Photo gallery coming soon · Event journalist will document Year Two for this archive
The Sunflower Benefit 2026 — Year Two
2026 · Current Season
$1,443
Goal
June 14
Event date
The Sunflower Party grows into the Sunflower Benefit — our first official charity event benefiting Roberta's House. This chapter is still being written. Join us June 14th and become part of the story.
This chapter will be fully documented after June 14th 2026
About

Some foundations
are built.
Ours was planted.

The Sunflower Foundation began as a simple belief that community is worth showing up for. What started as a neighborhood gathering in 2025 has grown into a movement with a name, a cause, and a plan to keep blooming year after year.

Our Story

The sunflower and the mission.

The sunflower doesn't wait for perfect conditions. It pushes through difficult soil, turns its face toward whatever light exists, and grows something remarkable from almost nothing. That's what community looks like when it's working.

The Sunflower Foundation exists because we believe every neighborhood, every family, every person carries the capacity to grow something greater than themselves, but only when we grow together. This isn't just a foundation. It's a movement.

Every seed planted here becomes part of something that outlasts a single season, a single event, a single act of giving. We invite you to be part of what's growing.

"We, too, bloom."
— After Langston Hughes, I Too, 1926
Sunflowers
What We Stand For

Our values.

Community first
Everything we do begins and ends with the people around us. Not institutions. Not systems. People.
Radical transparency
Every dollar is accounted for. Every decision is documented. We operate in the open because trust is grown, not assumed.
Grow something greater
We think beyond the event, beyond the year, beyond the moment. Every seed we plant is for a harvest we may not see alone.
Bloom together
No one blooms alone. The foundation's strength is in its collective — volunteers, donors, partners, and community growing side by side.
Contact

Say hello.
We're listening.

Questions about the event, volunteer roles, community dish contributions, or the foundation's mission. We respond to every message within 48 hours.

✉
Email
hello.sunflowerfoundation@gmail.com
⌛
Response Time
Within 48 hours