PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL
The purpose of this manual is to provide guidance regarding the policies and procedures for awarding grants from the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, (BCYF). The contents of this manual are subject to change at the discretion of BCYF.
ABOUT BCYF: Our History
Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, Inc. (BCYF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to support programs for Baltimore’s young people. The Fund was conceived in 2015 under the leadership of then-City Council President Bernard “Jack” C. Young following the unrest sparked by the death of Freddie Grey, an event that revealed deep, systematic inequities in Black communities.
In 2016, Baltimore voters overwhelmingly approved a charter amendment establishing a dedicated funding stream for youth programs, guaranteeing an annual appropriation tied to the assessed value of city property. This voter mandate represents a historic, community-driven commitment to equity and opportunity for Baltimore’s children and youth.
From 2017 to 2019, the Fund operated through an interim structure to ensure community input in shaping governance and grantmaking priorities. In 2021, BCYF, Inc. became the permanent steward of these public funds, guided by a community-led governance model with a majority of members representing residents and youth-serving leaders. That same year, the Transition Board adopted an innovative funding model:
75% of grant dollars go to direct program grants.
25% is invested in capacity building (helping organizations run better and serve more youth) and technical assistance (personalized help for finances, leadership, and program quality).
This dual approach ensures organizations have both the resources to deliver programs and the infrastructure to sustain long-term growth.
Our Dual Approach to Grantmaking: Funding and Support
BCYF does more than provide grants. We pair funding with training, one-on-one support, and practical tools to help organizations strengthen leadership, improve systems, and build sustainability. Our support ranges from financial compliance coaching to organizational leadership development, helping community-based groups thrive.
BCYF also serves as a convener for Baltimore’s youth development ecosystem, bringing together youth, community leaders, and organizations to co-create the city’s first Youth Master Plan, a community-driven roadmap that sets priorities and goals for youth programs citywide. Every investment strengthens a connected, coordinated youth development network that reflects community priorities and advances equity across Baltimore.
Proven Impact
Grantee Compliance: Grantee compliance improved from under 30% in 2023 to 95% in 2025, driven by BCYF’s targeted training and support.
Support for Grantseekers: Through FY25 Pre-Application Technical Assistance, BCYF provided 130+ hours of support to over 200 organizations applying for BCYF funding. Participants were five times more likely to secure funding, and 97% reported greater confidence.
Effective Trainings: The BCYF signature professional learning series, the Learning Lab, delivered 60+ hours of programming and created 1,000 seats for youth and leaders. 91% of participants were extremely satisfied, 95% reported skill gains, and 91% credited it for fostering collaboration (University of Maryland, Baltimore evaluation, 2024).
Through authentic community engagement, power-shifting philanthropy, and measurable capacity-building, BCYF advances a shared vision of justice, creativity, and abundance for Baltimore’s young people.
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
Mission
The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund builds partnerships that support an ecosystem focused on opportunities for Baltimore youth by providing support to leaders and organizations
What is the Ecosystem?
Using the term ecosystem reminds us that we find truth and knowledge in the patterns in the natural world that we can apply in social justice movements and liberatory practices.
The ecosystem we envision is an extraordinary interconnected web of physical, psychological, and energetic networks that envelop the vibrant lives of Baltimore’s youth, positively shaping their very existence - producing compassionate, resourceful, innovative, and productive humans.
Who is in the Ecosystem?
Youth-serving organizations and programs, schools, government agencies, teaching artists
Staff of youth programs
Youth and adult leaders
Children and youth
Families and caregivers
Community spaces (libraries, houses of worship, community centers)
Funders
Arts and cultural institutions
Advocacy organizations
The work of BCYF is to invest in the people who support the creation and/or sustainment of that ecosystem.
Vision
We envision a more just, creative, and abundant Baltimore where all young people live, thrive, and lead.
We envision an ecosystem of sustainable youth programs with full agency, liberated from the harm of structural racism and inequity, and able to thrive in abundance.
Values
Ubuntu (n.) I am because of who we all are. Ubuntu is the Southern African philosophy that describes the interconnectedness of all people. It emphasizes the idea that an individual’s well-being is intricately tied to the well-being of the community. The philosophy promotes humanity, service, sharing, healing, and reconciliation.
In the West, we often greet each other by saying, “How are you doing?” The Maasai people of East Africa greet each other by asking, “How are the children?” This greeting represents the idea that the well-being of the children defines the well-being of the community.
Baltimore Children & Youth Fund aspires to help the city of Baltimore embrace and live out the worldview embodied in the Maasai greeting. We firmly believe that the well-being of our children should be a collective responsibility embraced by all.
Racial Justice
We honor and celebrate the cultural resources and assets within the Black and Brown communities in Baltimore City. We acknowledge their history and power. We work to address the role of philanthropy in dismantling structural racism by engaging in internal and external work centering Black and Brown wisdom in our approach.
Intergenerational Leadership
We include youth along with adults in all aspects of our work. Having different generations work together reflects how our entire community must work together to improve the quality of life in our city.
Community Ownership
The community has equal, authentic decision-making power in distributing BCYF’s resources. Additionally, the organization must include a variety of people who are highly committed and accountable to the communities they serve. The aspiration to embody our values lies at the core of our organization’s mission.
PURPOSE
BCYF is one of the most unique grantmaking organizations in the United States. Instead of being sustained by private endowments, corporations, and individuals, we are funded by Baltimore City residents, with an annual appropriation of 3 cents on every $100 of assessed value of all Baltimore City properties dedicated to BCYF.
BCYF awards grants to organizations that provide programming to thousands of Baltimore's young people, ranging from academic support and science exploration to dance, photography, and more. Unlike traditional philanthropic efforts in Baltimore, BCYF is committed to authentic community engagement. Our strategy, grantmaking priorities, and grant decisions are shaped and led by Baltimore community members and youth leaders.
Through our strategic investments, we strive to resource a future where children and youth throughout the city enjoy access to high-caliber enrichment and learning opportunities, and children and youth programs have the resources they need to serve all our young people.
BCYF Provides:
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Direct Investment to Organizations | Investments in Infrastructure to Allow Grassroots Organizations to Receive Funds and Thrive |
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Aligned Funding, in Collaboration with Local Funders, to Create Larger Grant Opportunities | Deep Investments in Technical Assistance and Capacity Building |
PRIORITIES
BCYF’s Investment Priorities were determined through the People’s Assembly, held in Spring 2022, where community members shared their experiences and areas of need. The priorities are also strongly grounded in research from the Nobody Asked Me campaign and the Wallace Foundation’s connected learning initiative.
Priority | Overview | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
Priority 1:
| Baltimore’s children and youth deserve access to communities that center cultural wealth, learning based on cultures and the identities of learners and the community, and leveraging cultural assets. | Young people have a sustained connection to culture, heritage, and/or community. |
Priority 2:
| Baltimore’s children and youth deserve access to resources and opportunities that will prepare them for the future. | Young people are connected to careers, relationships, and futures that are meaningful and linked to their interests. |
Priority 3:
| Baltimore’s children and youth deserve access to resources that support their social and emotional needs and overall well-being. | Young people feel that their social and emotional needs are met through their experiences. |
Priority 4:
| Baltimore’s children and youth deserve equitable access to platforms that will allow them to develop their perspectives and leadership abilities and amplify their voices. | Young people’s voices are valued in ways that change their communities. |
Priority 5:
| Baltimore’s children and youth deserve equitable access to opportunities that embed and expand learning in social networks that include youth, family, and facilitators. | Young people have access to more expansive networks and communities beyond one program. |
FY27 GRANTMAKING FUNDS
Direct Grantmaking Eligibility, Support, and Grantmaking Process
BCYF’s direct grantmaking strategy is rooted in equity, accountability, and community partnership. We prioritize Black and Brown-led organizations and invest in Baltimore-based nonprofits that center youth and families. Through our grantmaking programs, BCYF provides financial resources alongside technical assistance, capacity-building, and compliance support to strengthen organizational sustainability and long-term community impact.
Organizational Eligiblity
Unless otherwise specific within a funding opportunity, organizations seeking funding through BCYF’s direct grantmaking programs must:
Be Baltimore City-based and serve youth ages 0-24.
Be a Maryland 501©(3) organization or have a confirmed fiscal sponsor.
Maintain an organizational workforce in which at least 51% of employees are Baltimore City residents.
Demonstrate at least one year of operations and experience providing youth programming.
Application Support
BCYF is committed to reducing barriers to funding access and strengthening applicant success. Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA) is available to support grant seekers throughout the grantmaking process by clarifying requirements, strengthening proposals, and increasing access to funding opportunities.
PATA offerings may include application Launchpads, Help Desks, one-on-one coaching, budget development support, proposal feedback, technical assistance office hours, and guidance on funding requirements and submission processes. Support is designed to help organizations navigate the application process with confidence while advancing equitable access to funding opportunities.
In addition to PATA, funded organizations may receive technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, training, and capacity-building supports tailored to the goals of the funding program and the needs of participating organizations.
Grant Review and Selection
BCYF utilizes both community-led and internal review processes depending on the funding opportunity. Community review panel members and grant reviewers receive training, orientation, and calibration to support fair, consistent, and transparent funding decisions. Selection processes for each grant program are outlined within the individual fund descriptions and applicable funding opportunities.
Community review panel members and internal grant reviewers receive orientation, training, conflict-of-interest guidance, and calibration support to promote fair, transparent, and consistent funding decisions.
Grantee Requirements
All grantees are required to comply with grant agreement terms, reporting requirements, and outcome measurement expectations established by BCYF. Multi-funding commitments are contingent upon satisfactory performance, compliance with grant requirements, and the continued availability of funds.
Note: BCYF does not provide unrestricted funding. All proposals must include a detailed budget aligned with the requested grant amount.
Summer of Possibility Fund
The Summer of Possibility Fund invests in safe, joyful, and enriching summer opportunities for Baltimore’s children and youth. Through direct grants and tailored capacity-building support, the fund resources community-rooted organizations to deliver high-quality summer programming that promotes learning, leadership, wellness, creativity, workforce development, and youth engagement.
Grant Size & Term: Grants range from $25,000 to $100,000 to support summer planning, staffing, implementation, and youth programming activities.
Eligibility: Priority is given to organizations with annual operating budgets under $750,000 and those led by Black and Brown leaders.
Support: Grant seekers have access to Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA), including workshops, Help Desks, and one-on-one coaching. Funded organizations receive health and safety certifications, learning opportunities, and implementation support designed to strengthen program quality and organizational sustainability.
Selection: Applications are reviewed and scored by a trained community-led review panel composed of community members, youth leaders, and individuals with lived experience. Reviewers participate in orientation, training, and calibration activities to promote consistency, fairness, and accountability throughout the grantmaking process.
Grassroots Fund
The Grassroots Fund closes systemic gaps in Baltimore’s funding landscape by investing in small, community-rooted organizations that are often overlooked by traditional philanthropy. Through multi-year funding and tailored organizational support, the fund strengthens the leadership, sustainability, and long-term impact of grassroots organizations serving Baltimore’s children, youth, and families.
BCYF invests through both direct grants and capacity-building supports, ensuring organizations have access to the resources, tools, and technical assistance needed to grow their programs, strengthen operations, and deepen community impact.
Grant Size & Term: $50,000 annually for five years ($250,000 total).
Eligibility: Organizations with an annual operating budget of $350,000 or less. Current Grassroots Fund grantees must wait one year following grant closure to re-apply for BCYF funding (i.e., if your Grassroots Fund award ends 8/31/2026, you may apply with the application that opens in January 2027, as those grant awards will begin 9/1/2027).
Support: Grant seekers have access to Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA). Funded organizations receive ongoing technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and capacity-building support tailored to strengthen organizational sustainability, leadership, infrastructure, and community impact.
Selection: Applications are reviewed and scored by a trained community-led review panel. Reviewers participate in orientation, training, and calibration activities to promote consistency, fairness, and accountability throughout the grantmaking process.
Community Accountable Fund
The Community Accountable Fund invests in organizations that demonstrate deep accountability to youth, families, and communities. The fund supports organizations that are responsive to community priorities and committed to creating meaningful opportunities and outcomes for Baltimore’s young people.
BCYF invests through both direct grants and capacity-building supports, helping organizations strengthen their programs, leadership, and organizational infrastructure while advancing equitable outcomes for youth and communities.
Grant Size & Term: $75,000 annually for three years ($225,000 total).
Eligibility: Organizations with an annual operating budget between $350,000 and $500,000. Current Community Accountable Fund grantees must wait one year following grant closure to re-apply for BCYF funding (i.e., if your Grassroots Fund award ends 8/31/2026, you may apply with the application that opens in January 2027, as those grant awards will begin 9/1/2027).
Support: Grant seekers have access to Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA). Funded organizations receive ongoing technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and capacity building support tailored to strengthen organizational sustainability, leadership, infrastructure, and community impact.
Selection: Applications are reviewed and scored by a trained community-led review panel. Reviewers participate in orientation, training, and calibration activities to promote consistency, fairness, and accountability throughout the grantmaking process.
Aligned Grantmaking Fund
The Aligned Grantmaking Fund leverages collaborative partnerships and co-investments to expand resources for youth-focused initiatives, strengthen Baltimore’s social sector, and support the leadership development of Black and Brown leaders. Through strategic partnerships, the fund increases investment in community priorities while aligning resources around shared goals and outcomes.
BCYF invests through both direct grants and partnership-based capacity-building supports that strengthen collaboration, learning, and collective impact across organizations and sectors.
Grant Size & Term: Award amounts and funding periods vary by funding opportunity.
Eligibility: Eligibility requirements are defined within each funding opportunity and request for proposals (RFP).
Selection: Awards are reviewed through an internal BCYF review process and approved in accordance with BCYF grantmaking policies. Funding decisions may be made in collaboration with strategic funding partners.
President’s Fund
The President’s Fund provides flexible and responsive funding for opportunities, innovations, and emerging community needs that align with BCYF’s mission, vision, and values. The fund enables BCYF to support high-impact initiatives, pilot new approaches, and respond to evolving opportunities that advance outcomes for Baltimore’s children and youth.
BCYF invests through both direct grants and strategic support designed to help organizations maximize impact, strengthen implementation, and respond effectively to community needs.
Grant Size & Term: Award amounts and funding periods vary by funding opportunity.
Eligibility: Eligibility requirements are defined within each funding opportunity and request for proposals (RFP).
Selection: Awards are reviewed through an internal BCYF review process and approved based on strategic alignment with BCYF’s mission, vision, values, and community priorities.
Charm City Youth Athletics (CCYA)
Charm City Youth Athletics seeks to expand access to middle school sports and increase youth participation in athletics across Baltimore City. The initiative advances youth health, wellness, leadership, and belonging by creating equitable opportunities for young people to participate in organized sports.
BCYF invests through both direct grants and capacity-building supports, providing resources, technical assistance, impact measurement, and storytelling support to strengthen athletic programming and build long-term infrastructure for youth sports.
Grant Size & Term: Award amounts and funding periods vary by funding opportunities.
Eligibility: Youth-serving athletic and sports organizations that can partner with Baltimore City Public Schools and meet program requirements.
Support: Grant seekers have access to Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA). Funded organizations receive ongoing technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and capacity building support tailored to strengthen organizational sustainability, leadership, infrastructure, and community impact.
Selection: Eligible athletic providers respond to an open call and, if approved, are placed on a roster of qualified providers. School leaders identify preferred partners and jointly apply for funding. Final funding decisions are made through an internal review process.
Youth Empowerment Pop-Up Partnerships (YEPP)
The Youth Empowerment Pop-Up Partnerships (YEPP) initiative supports short-term, collaborative youth engagement experiences that activate public spaces, strengthen community partnerships, and elevate youth voice through Baltimore City. Through creative, youth-centered programming, YEPP increases visibility, access, and opportunities for young people while fostering collaboration among community organizations.
BCYF invests through both direct grants and implementation support to help organizations design and deliver impactful pop-up experiences that promote youth leadership, community connection, and neighborhood activation.
Grant Size & Term: Funding supports one- to three-day collaborative youth programming experiences.
Eligibility: Open to BCYF grantees partnering with community organizations, schools, and other local stakeholders.
Support: Grant seekers have access to technical assistance throughout the application process.
Selection: Applications are reviewed through an internal BCYF review process. Funding decisions are based on alignment with program goals, partnership strength, youth engagement, community impact, and available funding.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
What is technical assistance and why is it important?
Technical Assistance at BCYF is the process of providing targeted support to people and organizations to develop specialized skills, access relevant resources, and strengthen their networks.
BCYF aims to shift the dynamics of grantmaking by empowering communities, uplifting youth voices, and strengthening grantee organizational capacity to ensure the delivery of equitable and effective programming to our youth. This challenges the traditional and historically harmful power dynamics of the philanthropic sector.
What are the goals and strategies for technical assistance?
All technical assistance programs at BCYF aim to increase agency for local changemakers by equipping them with the resources, networks, and skills to lead the development of their organizations and communities.
The BCYF approach:
Connect with local changemakers.
Nurture the capacity of leaders and organizations by eliminating access barriers.
Amplify the work of BCYF grantee partners.
Foster a community that is rooted in abundance, joy, and collaboration.
Types of Technical Assistance
Community Capacity Building
Community Capacity Building is a strategy of BCYF focused on building the effectiveness of individuals and organizations to better serve and engage young people in Baltimore. This includes skill building in a variety of areas including marketing, communications, fundraising, financial expertise, and board leadership as examples. It also includes building the capacity of young people to serve on boards, be grantmakers, and be leaders in Baltimore's social and public sectors.
Examples: Avis Ransom Institute-#bcreds-Learning Lab-Pre-Application Technical Assistance
For more information on these Community Capacity Building offerings, please visit the BCYF Capacity Building webpage.
Grantee Technical Assistance
At the beginning of the grant cycle, organizations complete an organizational assessment that outlines core areas of strength and opportunities for growth. Based on the outcomes of the assessment, BCYF and grantee partners will work together to craft individualized goals and plans that include BCYF programming, in addition to local and national offerings and resources.
Examples: Program Officers-Financial Technical Assistance-Grantee Newsletter-Trainings-Convenings
Program Officers
Each Grantee is assigned a Program Officer as their first point of contact and main navigator for BCYF policies and procedures. Program Officers call new grantees to introduce themselves and serve grantee partners as a resource and advocate.
Finance Forward Program
Grantees may be identified as needing additional Financial Technical Assistance to support with the submission of approvable and accurate Monthly Financial Expense Reports (MFERs). These grantees will participate in the Finance Forward Program. The program aims to provide tailored Financial Technical Assistance (FTA) for a six-month period. During this time, you will schedule six individual sessions with your assigned FTA and submit draft MFER’s prior to submission for feedback and corrections before submitting your final report in the portal.
Training and Workshops
BCYF creates original training and workshops that are responsive and forward-thinking. Previous initiatives invited local experts to facilitate and curate engaging learning opportunities for the youth development sector.
Monthly Grantee Newsletter
A digital newsletter is emailed to grantees monthly and serves as a digital publication specifically designed to keep BCYF grantee partners informed and engaged. The primary purpose of the newsletter is to provide valuable updates, relevant information, and resources to the organizations or individuals who have been awarded grants.
Convenings
The Gathering is BCYF’s fall convening—a local, retreat-style experience designed to bring together grantee partners for connection, reflection, and shared learning. This convening strengthens our collective identity, aligns grantee missions with BCYF’s priorities, and explores the potential for deeper, community-driven impact across the portfolio.