BCYF OVERVIEW
The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (“BCYF”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was created as a dedicated fund to support programs for Baltimore’s young people. The concept of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund (“the Fund”) was launched in 2015 by then-City Council President Bernard “Jack” C. Young. It was created as a response to the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, an event that sharply illuminated longstanding inequities in public funding in Black communities.
In 2016, the Baltimore City Council and voters approved the Fund to receive an annual appropriation of the assessed value of all property in Baltimore City. Baltimore Children and Youth Fund was named the permanent intermediary of the Fund. BCYF is committed to ensuring that our children and youth are healthy, ready to succeed in school, and live in stable, safe, and supportive families and communities.
We do more than grantmaking.
We collaborate with grassroots organizations and community leaders to create new opportunities for the city’s young people to learn, thrive and succeed. BCYF awards grants to organizations that provide programs to thousands of Baltimore’s young people — from academic support and science exploration to dance and photography. Unlike traditional philanthropic efforts in Baltimore, BCYF is committed to authentic community engagement. Baltimore community members and youth leaders shape and lead our strategy and grant decisions.
Our core values of Racial Equity, Intergenerational Leadership, Community Ownership, and Collective Decision-Making direct our partnerships with organizations that share our Black liberation worldview. Through our strategic investments, we strive to resource a future where 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 serve all our young people equitably.
MISSION, VISION & VALUES
Mission
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.
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.
Values
Racial Equity: The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund must be built on racial equity. The evaluation of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund’s work should include a basic understanding and appreciation of the cultural resources and assets within each community. We should identify and address how society’s power structures show up in the organization’s operations, including how assumptions about race may influence decision-making processes. Specifically, white people should not dominate or drive the conversation.
Intergenerational Leadership: The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund must include youth leaders and adults in all aspects of its work. Having different generations work together will reflect how our entire community must work together to improve the quality of life for our young people. In the West, we often greet each other by saying, “How are you doing?” The Maasai people of East Africa greet each other by asking, “How are the children?” This greeting represents the idea that the well-being of the children defines the well-being of the community.
The purpose of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund is to help the whole city of Baltimore to embrace and live out the worldview embodied in this Maasai greeting. Specifically, the well-being of our children is everyone’s responsibility.
Community Ownership: The purpose of the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund is to provide the communities typically seen as mere recipients of services with equal, authentic decision-making power to disperse the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc.’s resources.
This means that the organization should reflect the totality of our community. Specifically, the Baltimore Children and Youth Fund must include a variety of people who are highly committed to the communities they serve.
Collective Decision-Making: The Baltimore Children and Youth Fund will strive to have collective decision-making processes. “Gatekeeping,” when one person has too much power in a decision-making process, marginalizes the people and communities most hurt by structural racism. Gatekeepers can use their power to circumvent community accountability and limit access to resources.
Scope of Work
BCYF seeks an external Learning Design Team to work for three (3) months with the President, the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Planning, and key stakeholders to design a four module micro-credential stack for #bcreds.
A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition that allows a professional to demonstrate mastery in an area. #bcreds is a free micro-credential technical assistance program focusing on nonprofit management, board governance, youth development, and racial equity. #bcreds will allow leaders and staff of Baltimore-based youth-serving organizations to personalize their professional development by attending a range of offerings, both synchronous and asynchronous and in-person and virtual, on the topics of their choice.
To aid in designing the #bcreds pilot course, the Learning Design Team will:
- Identify nonprofit management key topic area (finance, operations, human resources, infrastructure, compliance) and learning objectives collaboratively with BCYF team;
- Develop outline, instructional materials, success criteria, and assessment materials for a four module micro-credential stack;
- Upload course materials onto our learning management system;
- Select and train a course facilitator;
- Pilot the course with a small test cohort; and
- Lead feedback sessions to evaluate the pilot course and identify areas of improvement.
Submitting a Proposal
BCYF is seeking proposals from experienced consultants specializing in modular course design and nonprofit professional development.
Submitted responses to this Request for Proposals should include the following:
- Narrative Proposal (Maximum of five (5) pages)
- Name and contact information
- A description of qualifications and capacity to do this project, including:
- Work activities, expertise, knowledge, and experience in course writing;
- Detailed description of prior experience with the Learning Management System, Brightspace;*
- Demonstration of alignment with values and mission of BCYF;
- Track record of work grounded in Black liberation, racial justice, intersectionality, and/or accessibility;
- Experience working with the youth development, nonprofit, and/or philanthropic sectors; and
- Knowledge and understanding of Baltimore City’s historical and current landscape.
- A description of the process/approach and how the consultant intends to accomplish this assignment within the three (3) months timeframe.
- A draft of the three (3) month timeline from the initial planning of the pilot course until completion of the evaluation of the course, including an estimate of needed staff, Board, and other stakeholder time.
- Resumes or brief biographical summaries of all personnel who will work on this project.
- At least two professional references with a short description of the work performed and the time required to complete it. BCYF will contact these references to discuss their experience with developing professional development trainings for nonprofits. Ideally, one of these references will be able to speak to the success of the training.
- Sample of a previously completed professional development training curriculum (1-3 samples). Portions may be redacted to protect private information as needed.
- Conflict of Interest Statement: The consultant must disclose any possible conflicts of interest that may result from the award of this contract or services provided under this contract.
- Pricing Structure: We invite competitive bids and encourage consultant teams to submit their proposed budgets based on the scope of work. While we anticipate a budget of $40,000 – $75,000, we will review and consider other cost proposals from qualified consultants. We believe that by considering a range of cost proposals, we can make an informed decision that not only meets the project’s needs but also provides the best value for BCYF.
*Note: Prior experience with Brightspace is not a mandatory requirement. Brightspace will be assigning a course development expert who will build the course in Brightspace and provide a reusable template for future micro-credential courses. The selected Learning Design Team should be prepared to collaborate with the Brightspace consultant to ensure the integration of the content to the LMS is successful.
Criteria for Selection
BCYF will select the proposal we believe will deliver the highest quality deliverable at the best value. Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee designated by the President.
Additional Considerations:
- This project will require that the consultant/s have insurance coverage and background checks before the commencement of any work.
- All proposals are potentially public records. Please be advised that documents in BCYF’s possession are considered public records and subject to disclosure under the Maryland Public Information Act, meaning that people can ask to see these records, and BCYF must release them.
Proposal Submission
The deadline for submission is Tuesday, October 31, 2023, at 5:00 PM EST.
Please submit proposals and any direct questions via email to:
Lillian Jacobson, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Planning
Baltimore Children & Youth Fund
Proposal Timeline
Announcement Released September 25, 2023
Q&A Period September 25 – October 20, 2023
Proposal Submission Deadline October 31, 2023
Interview Finalists and Select Consultant/s November 15, 2023
Launch project November 20, 2023
