about
2025 Grantees
BCYF awarded $10+ million in grant funding to 100 grantee partners that are expanding opportunity and improving the lives of young people throughout the city, and provided 200+ hours of learning for Baltimore’s youth-development ecosystem for fiscal year 2025. With this combined investment, BCYF provides nearly 19,000 youth programming seats across Baltimore City.
The Journey to Grantmaking
Each year, BCYF celebrates the incredible vision and dedication of grassroots leaders across Baltimore. The Grassroots Fund (GRF) and Community Accountable Fund (CAF) process reflects our belief that bold ideas deserve strong support. From citywide technical assistance to youth-led reviews and community feedback, this timeline shows how applications travel from first steps to fully awarded grants.
- Late Fall: Pre-Application Support
- Free Pre-Application Technical Assistance sessions offered throughout the city.
- Free Pre-Application Technical Assistance sessions offered throughout the city.
- February: Applications Close
- Submission window closes. Staff begins due diligence review to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal standards.
- March: Community Grant Review Process
- Applications are reviewed, with nearly half of the reviewers under age 24.
- Post-March: Fiscal Soundness Review
- Recommended slate undergoes an additional round of due diligence for fiscal accountability.
- April: Board of Directors Decision
- Board meets in a closed session to review and approve the final slate of grantees.
- May – June: Decision Letters
- Applicants are notified of funding decisions.
- Awardees learn of their selection.
- Declined applicants receive encouraging feedback from community reviewers.
- Applicants are notified of funding decisions.
- July: Contracts
- Awardees receive grant agreements to be fully executed.
- August: Community Announcement
- BCYF prepares and shares the full list of awardees with the community.
The Grassroots Fund closes systemic gaps in Baltimore’s funding landscape by offering stability and growth opportunities for grassroots organizations. In addition to five-year grants, grantees will access over 300+ hours of professional development through BCYF’s learning lab in the 2025-2026 programming season, in addition to robust technical assistance tailored to their needs. A community-led review panel determines awards through a participatory community grant review process. Applicants have access to BCYF’s robust Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA) programs.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Duration of Grant | Fund |
| A Prosperous Tomorrow | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Ballet After Dark Incorporated | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Beyond Fearless Inspired by Truth, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Capoeira Social Project | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Diapers To Deposits, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Glow Forward Foundation | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Konnexions, LLC. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Next Generation Language Access | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Own Your Ase | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Playful Minds Therapy | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| The SOAP Thriving Healing Seeds of Addicted Parents | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Young Successful Leaders, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
Grassroots Fund, Mini-Grants
The Grassroots Fund, Mini-Grants provide additional support to current BCYF Grassroots Fund grantees to help them meet the administrative and reporting requirements of their grants.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Cohort | Fund |
| Active Achievers, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Adelante Latina! Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Baltimore Underground Science Space | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Baltimore Urban Baseball Association | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Beadly Speaking Jewelry | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Beyond The Natural Foundation | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Black Girls Cook, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Blax Lax, Inc. | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Board Room Chess, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Coach G Academy, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Cody Young Empowerment Youth Charities | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Community Law in Action (CLIA) | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Corner Team, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Crayons & Culture | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Cultivating & Embracing Change, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Dance and Bmore, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Dance Happens, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Dayspring, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Each Teach, Inc. | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| EndsideOut, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Excellence & Ambition, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| For My Kidz, Inc. | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Greenmount East Leadership Project | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Grind Hard Enrichment Program | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| HMHU Mentoring, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Imagine Me Ministries | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Innovative Initiatives, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Islamic Leadership Institute of America, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Leader Breeders, Inc. | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Let’s Thrive Baltimore, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Liberty Village Project | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| MissionFit, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Moving History, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| MTM Foundation, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| My GIRLS, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Natural Born Champions | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| One More One Less Mentoring, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Phase 3 Training Corporation | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| R.I.S.E. Arts Center of Baltimore, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Requity Foundation, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Saint Luke’s Youth Center | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Succor Transitional Program | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| TasteWise Kids, Inc. | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| The Agoge Project | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| The Be.Org | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| The Community School | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| The Food Project of UEmpower of MD | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| The Marching Elite Foundation | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| The Sankofa Project – The Roots of Scouting | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| The William J. Watkins Sr. Educational Institute, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Urban Youth Initiative Project, Inc. | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Visions Select Baseball, Inc. | $5,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Young Black Scholars Institute, Inc. | $5,000 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
| Youth of The Diaspora | $5,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund, Mini Grant |
Grassroots Fund Extensions
Beginning in 2024, all new Grassroots Fund grants were established as five-year awards, expanding from the previous three-year structure. The BCYF Board of Directors voted to extend compliant Grassroots Fund grants awarded prior to 2024 to five years. This decision ensures that every Grassroots Fund grantee, regardless of when their grant began, receives the same level of long-term support.
Because of this Board-approved transition, the awards listed below reflect both the timing of each original grant award and the additional funding awarded this year to complete each grantee’s extension to a five-year award.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Cohort Year | Fund |
| Active Achievers, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Adelante Latina! Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Baltimore Underground Science Space | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Beadly Speaking Jewelry | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Beyond The Natural Foundation | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Black Girls Cook, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Board Room Chess, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Challenge 2 Change, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Coach G Academy, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Cody Young Empowerment Youth Charities | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Community Law in Action (CLIA) | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Corner Team, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Cultivating & Embracing Change, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Dance and Bmore, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Dance Happens, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Dayspring, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| EndsideOut, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Excellence & Ambition, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Grind Hard Enrichment Program | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| HMHU Mentoring, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Imagine Me Ministries | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Innovative Initiatives, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Islamic Leadership Institute of America, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Let’s Thrive Baltimore, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Liberty Village Project | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| MissionFit, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Moving History, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| MTM Foundation, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| My GIRLS, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| One More One Less Mentoring, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Phase 3 Training Corporation | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| R.I.S.E. Arts Center of Baltimore, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Requity Foundation, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Saint Luke’s Youth Center | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Succor Transitional Program | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| The Agoge Project | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| The Be.Org | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| The Community School | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| The Food Project of UEmpower of MD | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| The Marching Elite Foundation | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| The Sankofa Project – The Roots of Scouting | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| The William J. Watkins Sr. Educational Institute, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Urban Youth Initiative Project, Inc. | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Visions Select Baseball, Inc. | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Youth of The Diaspora | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
Grassroots Fund, Entity Change
New entity transfers happen when a group changes fiscal sponsors or establishes a new nonprofit organization. Each request goes through a review process and requires the successful closeout of the existing grant and return of all unspent funds before funds are allocated. The following grantees have completed this process and received approval for a new entity transfer to be awarded this year.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Cohort Year | Fund |
| Innovative Initiatives, Inc. | $141,852.08 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Empowerment Through Aviation | $226,500 | 2024 | Grassroots Fund |
The Community Accountable Fund invests in organizations that demonstrate deep accountability to youth and local communities. In addition to three-year grants, grantees will access over 300+ hours of professional development through BCYF’s learning lab in the 2025-2026 programming season, in addition to robust technical assistance tailored to their needs. A community-led review panel determines awards through a participatory community grant review process. Applicants have access to BCYF’s robust Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA) programs.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Duration of Grant | Fund |
| Loving Arms, Inc. | $225,000.00 | 3 Years | Community Accountable Fund |
| The Chris Wilson Foundation | $225,000.00 | 3 Years | Community Accountable Fund |
| Youth As Resources, Inc. | $225,000.00 | 3 Years | Community Accountable Fund |
The Aligned Grantmaking Fund builds on collaborative partnerships and shared investments to expand opportunities for youth, strengthen Baltimore’s nonprofit ecosystem, and uplift the leadership of Black and Brown changemakers.
In 2025, the Aligned Grantmaking Fund supported the Summer Funding Collaborative (SFC), coordinated through Baltimore’s Promise, which serves as the Administrative Backbone. The SFC ensures that the community review process, summer grantmaking, data collection and analysis, grantee professional development, and the summer provider network are implemented with consistency and care. Some organizations received a second award that fully funded their original request.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Program Name | Fund |
| 10:12 Sports | $50,000 | Football Mentorship Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Active Achievers, Inc. | $90,000 | Active Achievers Summer Camp | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Adelante Latina! Inc. | $18,000 | Adelante Latina! College Prep Camp | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| AZIZA PE&CE | $50,000 | FAME Summer Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| AZIZA PE&CE | $49,158 | FAME Summer Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| B-360 | $25,000 | B-360 Sound of the Summer Camp (SOSC) | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Ballet After Dark Incorporated | $50,000 | BAD Camp | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Ballet After Dark Incorporated | $37,200 | BAD Camp | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Beyond The Natural Foundation | $85,940 | Beyond The Natural Music and Nature Summer Camp | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Black Girls Cook, Inc. | $91,500 | BGC Summer of Food 2025 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Board Room Chess, Inc. | $41,893 | Youthworks Workforce Readiness | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Challenge 2 Change, Inc. | $40,283 | Conflict Resolution & Violence Prevention | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth | $42,000 | Summer Publishing Internship | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Cody Young Empowerment Youth Charities | $80,000 | Safe Summer Haven | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Corner Team, Inc. | $50,000 | Summer Youth Champions Club 2025 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Crayons & Culture | $118,000 | The Culture & Creation Lab: Seeds of Sovereignty | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Cultivating & Embracing Change, Inc. | $50,000 | HBCU Mental Health and Wellness Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Dance and Bmore, Inc. | $50,000 | Voices of Carmen | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Dance and Bmore, Inc. | $5,000 | Voices of Carmen | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Dance Happens, Inc. | $25,000 | Summer Dance at Dance Happens, Inc. | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Dayspring, Inc. | $60,600 | S.M.A.R.T. Summer Academy Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Elev8 Baltimore, Inc. | $50,000 | Abbottston Freedom School | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Elev8 Baltimore, Inc. | $16,921 | Abbottston Freedom School | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Greenmount East Leadership Project | $118,000 | GELP Summer Youth Academy | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| HeartSmiles, LLC. | $100,000 | Success Sessions | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Islamic Leadership Institute of America, Inc. | $27,738 | 2025 EmpoweReer Young Adult Wellness & Career Empowerment | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| J.O.Y. Baltimore Corp | $70,000 | JOY Baltimore Summer Workforce Development & Empowerment Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Leader Breeders, Inc. | $64,000 | Leader In Training: Baltimore Teen Leadership & Enrichment | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Let’s Thrive Baltimore, Inc. | $50,000 | Youth in Action 2025 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| MENTOR Maryland DC | $50,000 | Baltimore Rites of Passage Initiative (BROPI) | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood | $40,000 | Summer Enrichment Camp 2025 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Mentoring Mentors, Inc. | $79,498 | L.E.A.D.E.R.S Summer Program FY24-25 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| MissionFit, Inc. | $23,279 | MissionFit: Strength Academy 2025 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Moving History, Inc. | $100,000 | Moving History Arts and Academics | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| MTM Foundation, Inc. | $50,000 | Pathways to College and Entrepreneurship | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Muse 360 | $32,000 | New Generation Scholars Youth Leadership Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Natural Born Champions | $50,000 | Summer 2025 Mentorship Pathways | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Nuestras Raíces | $49,650 | Nuestras Raíces | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Pennsylvania Ave Neighborhood Association | $94,075 | Pathways to Prosperity : Youth Workforce Empowerment Program 2025 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Phase 3 Training Corporation | $75,000 | Summer Boost | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| R.I.S.E Arts Center of Baltimore, Inc. | $118,000 | R.I.S.E Performing Arts Camp | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Requity Foundation, Inc. | $50,000 | Requity Foundation Summer Programming | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Requity Foundation, Inc. | $15,386 | HeartSmiles, Inc. | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| RICH – Restoring Inner City Hope, Inc. | $55,000 | RICH SUMMER PROGRAM 2025 | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Saint Luke’s Youth Center | $50,000 | Camp Imagination | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures, Inc. | $62,918 | African Adventures with Sankofa | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| Tendea Family | $75,000 | Tendea’s Cadet and Community Clean Up Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| The Arts Project, Inc. | $49,520 | TAP Inc. Summer Arts Enrichment Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| The Be.Org | $50,000 | Be.Virtual | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| The Marching Elite Foundation | $50,000 | Marching Elite Summer Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| The William J. Watkins Sr. Educational Institute, Inc. | $50,000 | Histematics Summer Program | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
| We Will All Rise | $25,000 | I Can Teach Summer Institute | Aligned Grantmaking Fund |
The President’s Fund provides timely funding for opportunities or emerging needs that align with BCYF’s mission, vision, and values. In addition to financial support, grantees will access over 300+ hours of professional development through BCYF’s learning lab in the 2025-2026 programming season, in addition to robust technical assistance tailored to their needs. Funding terms range from one to three years. The application is by invitation only.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Duration of Grant | Fund |
| Artgevity, LLC. | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Arts Every Day | $20,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Beyond Rhetoric Corporation | $100,000 | 2 Years | President’s Fund |
| Divaneering Impact Lab, LLC. | $75,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Elocin Global Logistics, LLC. | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Hope Missions, Inc. | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Media Rhythm Institute Studios, Inc. | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Rich Foundation Reaching Innocent Children Hearts | $100,000 | 2 Years | President’s Fund |
| Sisters In Sync, Inc. | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| The Village Incorporated | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Unlimited Potential Mentoring, Inc. | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Unlimited Potential Mentoring, Inc. | $50,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
Grantmaking Schedule Update for Fiscal Year 2026
As part of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund’s commitment to transparency, equity in process, and clarity in communication, we are pleased to share the anticipated timeline for Fiscal Year 2026 grant announcements.
BCYF will continue to align its grantmaking with strategic rhythms that support thoughtful due diligence, equity-driven decision-making, and clear notification windows for all applicants.
Accordingly, Fiscal Year 26 award announcements will follow a two-part release cycle:
- All grant awards for activities taking place between July 1 and December 31, 2025 will be publicly announced in January 2026.
- All grant awards for activities occurring between January 1 and June 30, 2026 will be publicly announced in August 2026.
This scheduling structure ensures consistency in notification, optimizes our operational readiness, and supports greater planning capacity for youth-serving organizations throughout Baltimore. We remain committed to improving our processes in partnership with community and welcome continued dialogue.
