Grassroots Fund Recipients
Celebrating Community Leaders & The Joy They Bring!
The BCYF Grassroots Fund addresses traditional gaps in Baltimore’s funding landscape by providing funding for grassroots, Baltimore-based, youth-serving organizations in support of an organization’s overall mission. BCYF is awarding $150,000 three-year grants to up to 35 eligible community accountable organizations. The grants will be payable in nine installments over three years. Operating on a multi-year grant cycle allows BCYF to invest in building the capacity of its grantees, which positions organizations for success beyond BCYF funding. In addition to financial support, organizations awarded a Grassroots Fund grant will receive rigorous technical assistance and capacity-building support to help them sustain and grow.
Grassroots organizations who met the following criteria are eligible to apply to this fund:
Baltimore City-based and serves children and youth, ages 24 years and under;
Maryland 501(c)(3) organization or has a confirmed Fiscal Sponsorship; and
Annual operating budget of $250,000 or less
On October 1, 2022, we recognized the Fall grantees at a celebration event. Check out this recap to learn more!
35 Organizations Supporting Youth Across Baltimore
Check out this map to learn more about main office locations for Grassroots Fund grantees. Please note: Although some of the grantees host office locations outside of Baltimore, it is a requirement that all funding from Baltimore Children & Youth Fund supports programming for children and youth directly in the city.
2022 Grassroots Fund Recipients
- ABC Park Seminoles Sports Agency
- Baltimore Underground Science Space
- The Bamboo Project
- The Be Org
- Beadly Speaking Jewelry
- Beyond The Natural Foundation
- Black Girls Cook
- Bloom Collective
- The Board Room Chess
- Challenge 2 Change
- Coach G Academy, Inc.
- Cody Young Empowerment Youth Charities
- Community Law in Action
- Corner Team
- Cultivating & Embracing Change
- Dance and Bmore programs
- Endside Out
- Grind Hard Enrichment Program
- Healthy Lives
- Liberty Village Project
- Lil Laughs
- Marching Elite Foundation
- Mentoring Male Teens in the Hood
- MTM Foundation
- ONE more…ONE Less Mentoring
- R.I.S.E. Arts Center of Baltimore
- Saint Luke’s Youth Center
- Sisters Saving the City
- The Tender Bridge
- Urban Youth Initiative Project
- The Wildseed Gear Library
- Youth of The Diaspora
- East Baltimore Historical Library
- Let’s Thrive Baltimore
- Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures

Important Dates
March 15, 2022
Full RFP manual released
March 17, 2022
Public Orientation and Overview for Applicants
April 15, 2022
Grant Portal Opens
May 15, 2022
Application Closes

Apply Now
Grant Portal Opens
April 15, 2022
Grant Portal Closes
May 15, 2022
Have questions?
Email us:
assistance@bcyfund.org

Toolbox
Click the link to download
Application workbooks
Need Help with your Application?
BCYF is committed to providing support to community members who are applying for grants.
Support topics include grant writing basics, program development, budgeting and reporting, application support, and tech support for the new BCYF grant portal. We’ll be providing a combination of virtual and in-person support for applicants.
Types of Technical Assistance
Choose from any of the following options below that fit your needs schedule.
Open Swim
Whether you have questions about your BCYF application or nonprofit organization development, join Open Swim to gather advice and support from experience consultants and technical assistance providers.
Format: Virtual Webinar – Large group
Time: 90 minutes
Deep Dive
In these workshops, you will take a Deep Dive into an aspect of nonprofit organizational development. From designing your program to understanding the grant landscape, these topical workshops will walkthroughs steps you can take to strengthen your organization. Come ready to learn and work!
- Format: Virtual Webinar – Small Group
- Time: 60 – 120 minutes
Pop-In Events
During Pop-In Hours, Technical Assistance Providers will be available for direct support. Whether you need quick answers to general questions or need dedicated 1:1 technical assistance, drop into Pop-In Hours for support. Appointments are available on a first-come, first served basis.
- Format: In-person or virtual, first come-first served basis
- Time: 30 – 40 minutes per appointment”
1:1 Technical Assistance
(BYO Application)
Bring Your Own Application accepts drop-in appointments to provide dedicated one-to-one support on drafting, revising, and proofreading your application. Whether or not you have started, you are encouraged to attend. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Format: Virtual – Appointment Based
- Time: 60 – 90 minutes
Book Your Appointment
Additional 2022 BCYF Grantees
We celebrate these organizations as they join our 2022 grant portfolio.
Aligned Grantmaking Fund
The Aligned Grantmaking Fund provides opportunities to create granting partnerships that leverage the impact of collaboration.
Grant Recipient
President’s Fund
The President’s Fund aligns with the BCYF mission, vision, and values and offers flexibility to address pressing issues at the discretion of the President.
Grant Recipients
Eligibility
BCYF commits to upholding race equity as a core guiding principle in its operations and will prioritize organizations led by Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian people. The funds invested in community accountable organizations (CAOs) support one of BCYF’s core principles – anchoring a racially equitable ecosystem, infrastructure, and investments to support CAOs.
CAOs include grassroots, community-based, and other organizations rooted in liberatory practice. Grassroots organizations are group and individual efforts based in a community where people work together to find solutions to their community’s issues.