Strong youth strategies require more than funding alone. They depend on consistent opportunities, coordinated systems, and organizations that have the capacity to deliver and sustain their work over time.
In this piece, Alysia Lee and Dyon Davidson explore how the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund is advancing a dual approach that pairs long-term funding with capacity building, learning, and peer connection. By investing not only in dollars but in people and infrastructure, BCYF is helping grassroots organizations grow stronger, collaborate more effectively, and better support young people across Baltimore.
From the Learning Lab to real-world examples like Beadly Speaking, the article highlights how this model is strengthening sustainability and creating a more connected ecosystem for youth development.
Read the full article to learn how Baltimore’s approach is shaping what it looks like to invest in both organizations and the young people they serve.