Board Recruitment

A:  Our Mission – Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, Inc. (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.

Our 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 serve all our young people equitably.

A: The application will open on April 5 and close on May 19 , 2023.

A: Nine to Twenty voting members, including two voting seats from the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success & City Council President’s designee. The Board will also include two non-voting City members (City Solicitor & Director of Finance).

A: Board terms are three years for adults and two years for youth members (ages 14-25 years old).

A: On average, board members meet monthly.

A:  We can estimate board commitments are 5 hours a month on average.

A: Youth board members must go through the Avis Ransom Institute, a pipeline for youth leaders on the Board.

A: BCYF will host two information sessions.

Virtual Date: April 19th, 2023 5:00pm – 5:45pm

In-person Date: May 13, 2023 10:00am – 11:00am

• Be a current resident of the City of Baltimore or a current resident of Baltimore County with substantial and current educational, professional, religious, or other ties to the City of Baltimore.
• Have a demonstrated commitment to the mission, vision, and values of the organization.
• Have knowledge and skills in one or more areas of Board governance: racial equity, youth development, community engagement, policy, finance, programs, personnel, and advocacy.
• Serve on at least one committee.
• Regularly attend quarterly Board meetings, assigned committee meetings, and trainings. 
• Commit to professional development to support Board growth and development. 
• Participate in annual self-evaluation of personal board service.
• Support BCYF special events.
• Understand financial statements or commit to learning about nonprofit financial oversight.

A: Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Alignment with BCYF values, plus:
  • Commitment to centering racial equity, generally and in Baltimore specifically
  • Roots in community organizing and representing community interests, unequivocally and unapologetically
  • Demonstrated understanding and thinking in systems and systems change terms
  • Demonstrated understanding of history of Baltimore and connection to present and future
  • Navigating cross-sector relationships and accompanying power dynamics
  • Commitment to being an ambassador for BCYF
  • Connections to other spaces or community organizations in Baltimore with similar values and approach to BCYF
  • Local roots, with a national view of being a community resource and/or investment approach
• Priority needs for the Board: 
  • Financial management: accounting, nonprofits
  • Law: general 
  • Marketing/public relations
  • Social Media
  • Advocacy/public policy
  • Disability services/resources
  • Fundraising
  • Healthcare/medicine
  • Real Estate
  • Physical plant

A:  The slate of nominees and alternates goes through the following Public Process (similar to Baltimore City’s executive nominations process, e.g., Civilian Review Board):

• Slate of candidates and alternates are referred to the City Council
• City Council refers the slate to the appropriate Council Committee for hearing

Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, Inc. 

• Committee Hearing on the slate of candidates and alternates with candidates providing testimony and answering any questions; opportunity for the public to raise questions/comments
• Committee Meeting to vote on the slate of candidates and alternates; refers slate to full City Council
• City Council votes on the Committee’s recommendation of the slate of candidates and alternates

A: Direct all questions and concerns to Emily Cory at ecory@bcyfund.org