Summer of Possibility Fund 2027
Investing $2 Million in safe, joyful, and enriching summer opportunities for Baltimore’s children and youth.
Applications Open: September 1, 2026
Applications Close: October 1, 2026 @ 11:59 PM EDT
Our Story
After Freddie Gray’s death in 2015, Baltimore communities demanded greater equity in public investment. In 2016, voters answered:
80% said yes
to creating a dedicated fund for children and youth.
That vote became the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund: a lasting, community-driven commitment to Baltimore’s young people that was officially established in 2020.
Who We Are
The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (BCYF) is Baltimore’s commitment to its young people, made possible through public investment and voter approval.
BCYF is a nonprofit, quasi-governmental organization funded by a dedicated Baltimore City property tax (three cents for every $100 of assessed value). Born from community demands for racial equity after Freddie Gray’s death, and approved by 80% of Baltimore voters in 2016, BCYF transforms public dollars into youth opportunities. And it’s working!
Impact By the Numbers
million awarded since founding
grassroots organizations supported
youth opportunities
of funds go directly to organizations and supporting their growth
What is the BCYF learning lab?
BCYF's Opening Plenary
BCYF's LAB
OUR DUAL INVESTMENT APPROACH
Strengthening Organizations Through Funding and Capacity Building
Most funders choose: give money OR provide training. We do both, because Baltimore’s youth-serving organizations need resources now and strength and professional development for the long haul.
Direct Funding: We provide financial support to locally-based, community-accountable organizations—especially those led by Black and Brown leaders serving historically underserved neighborhoods. Many had never received public funding before BCYF.
Organizational Training & Professional Development: We offer learning initiatives and immersive experiences around the country that help organizations strengthen their operations, sustain their impact, and lead with confidence. This isn’t just about keeping the lights on—it’s about helping grassroots leaders build the infrastructure to grow, adapt, and thrive for years to come.
Together, these investments create a stronger youth development ecosystem across Baltimore—one that’s equipped to sustain change long after any single grant ends.
On-the-Ground
Our funding supports real programs and organizations creating real change.
Kammeran Giggers
R.I.S.E Arts Center
Angelo Soloreo
Nuestros Raices Inc.
Tiny Adams
Leader Breeders
Baltimore’s Next Chapter Requires a Youth Master Plan
The Baltimore Youth Master Plan (BYMP) is Baltimore’s opportunity to center youth voice, leadership, and vision in shaping the future of our city. Designed with and for young people, the BYMP sets the direction for how we ensure every young person has access to the opportunities, resources, and support they need to thrive. It is a shared roadmap for where we are going and how we will get there together, built on the voices of youth, families, grassroots leaders, and community partners across Baltimore. Through this collective effort, the BYMP transforms individual work into a unified, citywide movement grounded in equity, access, and abundance for every young person.
Stay Connected to the Youth Master Plan
Be part of shaping the future for Baltimore’s young people. Sign up to receive updates, opportunities, and ways to get involved.
