About BCYF
Our Mission
Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) is a nonprofit organization stewarding public funds to ensure our children and youth are healthy, ready to succeed in school and live in stable, safe and supportive families and communities.
Our Vision
Our vision is that 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 equitably serve all our young people.




BCYF's History
Following unrest in Baltimore City, the youth fund is conceived as a way to direct more public resources to programs serving young people.
2015The voters of Baltimore City overwhelmingly approve the youth fund in a referendum.
2016A community task force develops the blueprint for BCYF.
Baltimore City Council named Associated Black Charities (ABC) as BCYF’s interim operator.
Read the taskforce recommendations2017Community sessions identify priority investment areas and a RFP process, and grants team-approved first round of grants.
2018Second round grants process and the transition of BCYF to independent status begin.
2019BCYF is formally established, creating an independent entity to oversee the fund.
2020BCYF team establishes organizational infrastructure; begins process of hiring staff, focusing on community capacity building, technical assistance and aligned grantmaking.
2021Request for Proposals for new grants anticipated for second quarter.
Permanent staff to be hired to lead BCYF.
2022