Grantmaking
Unlike traditional philanthropic entities, BCYF is committed to authentic community engagement, and our strategy and grant decisions have been shaped by a range of Baltimoreans. Instead of making decisions behind closed doors, BCYF partners with Baltimore residents themselves to decide how funds are spent.
In addition to investing financial resources, we act as a community resource for local leaders, communities and families. We are focused on investment in the larger ecosystem of support for youth and young adults so that Baltimore can thrive.
The Summer Funding Collaborative (SFC) consists of public, private, and non-profit funders. The mission of the SFC is to fund different types of summer programs to keep students engaged and reduce summer learning loss so that more youth can reach their full potential.
In 2022, the SFC invested $5.3 million into 93 high-quality summer programs. BCYF committed $2 million and prioritized organizations serving older youth (ages 18-24) and/or led by Black, Brown, Indigenous, or Asian folks (or BIPOC-led).
Summer Funding Collaborative
Grassroots Fund
Addressing traditional gaps in Baltimore’s funding landscape by providing unrestricted funding for grassroots, Baltimore-based, youth-serving organizations.
The 2023 application is now open.
Community-Centered
- Our team is comprised of engaged Baltimoreans and experts in grantmaking. Over time, the board will expand to include young people, philanthropic stakeholders and government officials.
- BCYF reports regularly to the Baltimore City government and concerned citizens.
Transparent
- BCYF is one of the most unique grantmaking organizations in the United States. Instead of being sustained by private endowments, corporations and individuals, we are funded by Baltimore City residents, with an annual appropriation of 3 cents on every $100 of assessed value of all Baltimore City properties dedicated to BCYF.
- BCYF Is subject to city audits, public information laws and other reporting requirements.
Transformational
- BCYF partners with Baltimore residents themselves to direct our investment strategies, grant programs, technical assistance and capacity building resources.
- Investment in the infrastructure of our organizations is equally important as investment in programming. We are committed to improving the health and vitality of Baltimore’s grassroots and community-based organizations.
Committed
- Technical assistance to help organizations meet grant requirements – such as obtaining insurance and background checks, submitting grant reports and documenting expenses – which will help these groups be able to attract additional funds from other grant makers.
- Developing an ecosystem that strengthens nonprofits, allowing them to attract additional funding and better serve young people.
- Addressing longstanding race-based inequities in grantmaking.
- Creating a community-driven process has allowed many Baltimoreans to have meaningful input into how public funds are spent – a significant change for Baltimore.
