The Board of Directors of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) is proud to announce a $9.55 million investment in summer opportunities that will uplift, inspire, and empower Baltimore’s young people. This bold and joyful commitment reflects our deep belief that summer should be a season of growth, discovery, and belonging for every child and youth in our city.
Created through a public referendum, BCYF exists to invest in the potential, power, and leadership of Baltimore’s youth. Our Summer 2025 Investment Plan stays true to that mission—supporting employment, arts, education, and wellness experiences across every neighborhood. These investments are rooted in equity and designed in partnership with community wisdom to ensure that young people, no matter their background, can thrive.
In addition to direct summer investments, this summer BCYF is proud to convene youth, citywide leaders, and community members for brainstorming sessions as we launch Baltimore’s first-ever Youth Master Plan—a strategic blueprint that will uplift youth voices and define a shared vision for youth success beyond Summer 2025.
Summer 2025 Investment Priorities
YouthWorks – $4.9 Million
Expanding youth employment and career readiness
This year, we are making an emergency investment in YouthWorks, Baltimore’s youth employment program. YouthWorks offers thousands of young people a chance to gain meaningful work experience, build confidence, and earn income, opening doors to new career pathways. This investment will ensure that YouthWorks meets its goal of providing 8,500 jobs to young people this summer.
Why this matters: Grassroots organizations across Baltimore rely on YouthWorks as a source of free or low-cost staffing, and without it, many of these organizations would not have adequate staffing to run the summer programs that keep our children engaged and enriched while school is out. Keeping YouthWorks fully funded allows Baltimore’s summer programs to expand programming, mentor younger youth, and sustain community impact. Due to reserves, this emergency investment does not reduce funding for BCYF’s Grassroots Fund or Community Accountable Fund.
Summer Programs Across the City – $2.9 Million
Scaling support for trusted community-based programs
This year, BCYF has increased its investment in summer programming to reach 47 BCYF grantee partners offering programs citywide. These organizations offer transformative summer experiences through arts, STEM, mentorship, health, and academic enrichment.
Why this matters: These programs are led by trusted neighborhood leaders who know their communities best. This investment reflects our trust in grassroots organizations as the backbone of youth opportunity in Baltimore.
Mayor’s Office Initiatives – $1.5 Million
Strengthening cross-sector collaboration
BCYF is supporting strategic summer partnerships coordinated through the Mayor’s Office, including $500,000 designated to deepen alignment between BCYF grantees and city agencies.
Why this matters: Government and community partnerships amplify what’s possible. This investment helps community-based providers access public spaces and city support—extending their reach and strengthening Baltimore’s youth-serving ecosystem.
Baltimore’s Promise Administrative Support – $112,500
Building shared infrastructure for youth investment
This funding sustains the collaborative infrastructure of the Summer Funding Collaborative, managed by Baltimore’s Promise, enabling multiple funders to streamline and expand support for youth programs.
Why this matters: Shared infrastructure makes grantmaking more accessible and equitable, especially for small and emerging organizations. It helps reduce administrative burdens so programs can focus on what matters: serving youth.
Summer Arts Programming – $137,500
Expanding access to creative expression and cultural enrichment
BCYF is investing in arts facilities, supplies, and experiences to ensure youth across the city can access joyful, affirming artistic opportunities this summer.
Why this matters: Creativity is a catalyst for confidence, connection, and healing. From murals to music, youth need spaces to imagine, express, and grow.
A Summer of Possibility
Summer in Baltimore should not be defined by scarcity, but by joy, curiosity, and opportunity. With this $9.55 million investment, the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund is helping create a summer where young people can explore new passions, develop leadership, and dream big.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we extend our gratitude to the families, community leaders, youth workers, city agencies, and young people who make this work possible. Together, we are shaping a more just, creative, and abundant Baltimore—one summer at a time.
