about
2026 Grantees
Since 2020, BCYF has invested approximately $52 million in community-led programs that expand opportunities and improve outcomes for Baltimore’s young people. Annually, this investment supports grantee organizations across Baltimore, creates more than 17,000 opportunities for young people, and provides over 300 hours of professional learning and capacity-building support to strengthen Baltimore’s youth-development ecosystem.
As we prepare to launch a new grant cycle, we are excited to continue investing in the people, organizations, and ideas helping Baltimore’s young people learn, lead, and thrive.
The Journey to Grantmaking
Each year, BCYF celebrates the incredible vision and dedication of grassroots leaders across Baltimore. The BCYF Grantmaking process reflects our belief that bold ideas deserve strong support. From citywide technical assistance to diligent reviews and community feedback, this timeline shows how applications travel from first steps to fully awarded grants.
- Pre-Application Support
- Free Pre-Application Technical Assistance sessions offered throughout the city.
- Applications Close
- Submission window closes. Staff begins due diligence review to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal standards.
- Community Grant Review or Internal Grant Review Process
- Applications are reviewed for alignment with BCYF’s priorities
- Fiscal Soundness Review
- Recommended slate undergoes an additional round of due diligence for fiscal accountability.
- Board of Directors Decision
- Board meets in a closed session to review and approve the final slate of grantees.
- 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.
- 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 2026-2027 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 |
| Baltimore Rites of Passage Initiative (BROPI) | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Black SONs (Black Success Oriented Networks) | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Develop More Foundation, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Equity Project Foundation | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Expanding Boundaries International | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| I Am A Child of God, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Love In The Park, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Madame Armant’s Immersion Cities, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Muse 360 | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Pennsylvania Avenue Neighborhood Association (PANA) | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| Preparing Youth for Tomorrow | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
| TIZ Outreach, Inc. | $250,000.00 | 5 Years | Grassroots Fund |
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 also approved extensions for eligible Grassroots Fund grants awarded prior to 2024.
For the 2022 cohort, grants were originally awarded for three years. Additional one-year extensions were awarded based on each grantee’s compliance status—first for Year 4 and, for eligible grantees, again for Year 5.
As a result, not all grantees will receive a full five years of funding. The awards listed below reflect each grantee’s original grant period and any additional funding approved based on eligibility and compliance.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Cohort Year | Fund |
| ABC Park Seminole Sports Agency | $50,000 | 2022 | Grassroots Fund |
| Global Air Drone Academy | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Social and Economic Empowerment Through Knowledge (SEEK) | $50,000 | 2023 | Grassroots Fund |
| Tender Bridge | $50,000 | 2022 | 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 2026-2027 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 |
| Baltimore Algebra Project | $225,000.00 | 3 Years | Community Accountable Fund |
| Baltimore Youth Arts | $225,000.00 | 3 Years | Community Accountable Fund |
| Transforming Lives Community Development Corporation | $225,000.00 | 3 Years | Community Accountable 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.
| Organization | Amount Awarded | Duration of Grant | Fund |
| Arts Collective | $150,000 | 3 Years | President’s Fund |
| Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS) | $250,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
| Baltimore American Indian Center | $100,000 | 2 Years | President’s Fund |
| Baltimore Rites of Passage (BROPI) | $50,000 | 9 Months | President’s Fund |
| Baltimore Squashwise | $5,000 | 1 Year | President’s Fund |
Black Success Oriented Networks (Black SONs)* 2nd Year of Summer funding | $50,000 | 6 Months | President’s Fund |
Leader Breeders, Inc.* 2nd Year of Summer funding | $50,000 | 6 Months | President’s Fund |
MissionFit, Inc.* 2nd Year of Summer funding | $30,000 | 6 Months | President’s Fund |
Nuestras Raíces, Inc.* 2nd Year of Summer funding | $50,000 | 6 Months | President’s Fund |
| The Nolita Project | $150,000 | 3 Years | President’s Fund |
| The Sanctuary Collective | $150,000 | 3 Years | President’s Fund |
*These recipients represent the four Summer of Possibility Fund grantees that will receive two years of funding: the first year through the 2026 Summer of Possibility, plus a second year of support for Summer 2027 programming through the President’s Fund. This pilot will evaluate how extending funding beyond a single summer can strengthen program quality, deepen youth outcomes, and support long-term organizational sustainability.
CCYA connects trusted community organizations with Baltimore City Public Schools to expand access to high-quality after-school athletics and positive youth development programming. The initiative aims to help Baltimore reach the federal government’s Healthy People 2030 target of 63% youth sports participation by 2030, while simultaneously accelerating improvements in City Schools’ overall attendance and academic outcomes. The following grant recipients represent the 2025-2026 Charm City Youth Athletics investment.
| Organization | Program Name | Award Term | Amount Awarded |
| Baltimore Community Rowing | Classroom Learn-to-Row Instruction | ~3.5 Months | $6,300.00 |
| Baltimore Community Rowing | Boathouse Field Trip | ~3.5 Months | $6,000.00 |
| Baltimore Community Rowing | Baltimore Community Rowing Middle School Rowing Team | ~3.5 Months | $15,000.00 |
| Baltimore Squashwise | SquashWise PE Clinics | ~3.5 Months | $30,000.00 |
| Baltimore Squashwise | SquashWise Field Trips | ~3.5 Months | $7,000.00 |
| Baltimore Urban Baseball Association | Baseball/Softball STEM Hitting Lab | ~3.5 Months | $3,100.00 |
| Blax Lax | Blax Lax Middle School Lacrosse Team | ~3.5 Months | $24,900.00 |
| Coach G Academy Inc. | So You Think You Can STEP: Foundations and Confidence Clinic | ~3.5 Months | $5,100.00 |
| Dance Happens, Inc. | Dance Happens Movement for Athletics | ~3.5 Months | $18,776.18 |
| Girls Getting Better Foundation | GGB 3v3 Basketball League | ~3.5 Months | $6,300.00 |
| Leader Breeders Inc | Level Up Basketball Clinics | ~3.5 Months | $12,750.00 |
| MissionFit Inc | Strength Club | ~3.5 Months | $24,390.00 |
| Natural Born Champions | Champ Sports Academy at Baltimore Design Middle School | ~3.5 Months | $7,796.25 |
| Natural Born Champions | Champ Sports Academy at Collington Square Middle School | ~3.5 Months | $7,796.25 |
| Nuestras Raices | Casa de la Cultura Soccer Program | ~3.5 Months | $25,000.00 |
| Peaceful Warriors | Family/Community Wellness Day / Intergenerational Wellness Day | ~3.5 Months | $15,675.00 |
The Summer of Possibility funding expands access to high quality summer programming that builds leadership, learning, and opportunity for Baltimore youth. By funding programs that center youth voice, foster leadership, and open pathways to learning and employment, BCYF is investing to ensure Baltimore’s young people thrive. This cycle builds collective capacity by sustaining organizations with strong track records and elevating new leaders rooted in Baltimore’s neighborhoods.
| Organization | Award Term | Amount Awarded | Fund |
| Ask Seek Knock Foundations | 6 Months | $34,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| B-360 Baltimore, Inc. | 6 Months | $90,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Baltimore Youth Arts | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Beyond The Natural Foundation | 6 Months | $90,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Black Girls Cook | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Black Success Oriented Networks (Black SONs) | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Center for Technology Access and Training | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Comité Latino de Baltimore | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Crayons & Culture | 6 Months | $90,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Each Teach, Inc. | 6 Months | $55,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Elocin Global Logistics | 6 Months | $90,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Expanding Boundaries International, Inc. | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Hills to Climb, Inc. | 6 Months | $45,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Hope Missions, Inc. | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Leader Breeders, Inc. | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Leftover Love, Inc. | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| LYFE, Inc. | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Maryland Youth and the Law, Inc. | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| MissionFit, Inc. | 6 Months | $30,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Nuestras Raíces, Inc. | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Outcast Food Network | 6 Months | $60,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Own Your Ase, LLC. | 6 Months | $90,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Release Community Outreach, Inc. | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Rich Foundation Reaching Innocent Children Hearts | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Sisters In Sync, Inc. | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Succor Transition Program | 6 Months | $90,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| The Chris Wilson Foundation | 6 Months | $70,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| The Gil Sandler Fund for Speech and Debate | 6 Months | $50,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| The KRoussaw Foundation | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
| Writers in Baltimore Schools | 6 Months | $75,000.00 | Summer of Possibility Fund |
Grantmaking Schedule Update for Fiscal Year 2027
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 2027 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 2027 award announcements will follow a two-part release cycle:
- All grant awards awarded between July 1 and December 31, 2026 will be publicly announced in January 2027.
- All grant awards awarded between January 1 and June 30, 2027 will be publicly announced in August 2027.
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.
