grants
Grassroots Fund
The Grassroots Fund (GRF) 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 awards multi-year grants to eligible organizations, disbursing $50,000 a year. 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 GRF grant will receive rigorous technical assistance and capacity-building support to help them sustain and grow.
Eligibility Criteria
Grassroots organizations who meet 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;
- Annual operating budget of $350,000 or less;
- Has been in existence for at least one year;
- Has at least one year of experience running youth programs; and
- 51% or more of its employees are Baltimore City residents.
Please note:
- BCYF funds can only be used to support programming that is Baltimore-based and youth-centered. We do not provide unrestricted funding.
- Current BCYF Grantees are ineligible to apply, unless you are a President’s Fund or Aligned Grantmaking Fund grantee and your grant term ends on 8/31/2026. Grassroots Fund and Community Accountable Organization Fund grantees must wait one year following grant closure to re-apply for BCYF funding (i.e., if your GRF award ends 8/31/2026, you may apply with the application that opens in January 2027, as those grant awards will begin 9/1/2027). Current grantees include: Grassroots Fund, President’s Fund, Community Accountable Organization Fund, and Aligned Grantmaking Fund Grantees.
BCYF Announces 2024 Grassroots Fund
We are excited to announce that a new call for grant applications for the Grassroots Fund is coming soon.
What Does It Mean To Be A BCYF Community Reviewer?
Although our staff members bring deep knowledge and expertise to the review process, we feel strongly that members of the community also have a say in how funds are put back into the community.
Apply to be a Grant Reviewer
BCYF is seeking grant review panel members for the Spring 2023 Grant Cycle! Apply to become a grant reviewer for the Grassroots Fund!
