Summer of Possibility Fund 2027
Investing $2 million in safe, joyful, and enriching summer opportunities for Baltimore's children and youth.
The Summer of Possibility Fund supports Baltimore-based organizations serving youth ages 0–24 through high-quality summer programming rooted in learning, leadership, wellness, creativity, workforce development, and youth engagement.
- Applications Are Open!
- Application Deadline: October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT
Quick Overview
Funding Available
$2 Million
Grant Award Range
$25,000 – $100,000
Who Can Apply
Baltimore-based organizations serving youth ages 0 – 24
Grant Period
April 1 – September 30, 2027
Application Deadline
October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT
About The Fund
Summer of Possibility funding expands access to high quality summer programming that builds leadership, learning, and opportunity for Baltimore youth. By funding programs that center youth voice, foster leadership, and open pathways to learning and employment, BCYF is investing to ensure Baltimore’s young people thrive. This cycle builds collective capacity by sustaining organizations with strong track records and elevating new leaders rooted in Baltimore’s neighborhoods.
Free Application Support & Technical Assistance
BCYF provides free application support to help organizations submit the strongest application possible.
Register For Support Today!
Registration is now available for select Summer of Possibility 2027 Pre-Application Technical Assistance offerings. Visit the Rocket Resource Hub for registration links, upcoming sessions, application resources, and the latest updates.
Grant Review and Application Walkthrough
Webinar
August 26, 2026
Walk through the application, expectations, review criteria, and funding priorities.
Launchpad 1
In-person
Saturday, September 12
Hands-on workshop designed to help applicants begin or strengthen their proposals.
Launchpad 2
In-person
Saturday, September 26
Additional hands-on support prior to the application deadline.
Office Hours
Virtual
September 15, 24, 30
Drop-in sessions where applicants can ask questions and receive guidance. Three to choose from in our resource hub!
Virtual
September 1 – 29
Schedule personalized meetings for proposal-specific support.
Asynchronous Support
September 1 – 29
Submit questions at any time and receive responses on a rolling basis.
Feedback Debrief One-on-Ones
Virtual
December 15 – 23
Meet with BCYF after award decisions to receive individualized application feedback.
All support is FREE and open to organizations planning to apply or currently working on applications.
Multi-Year Investment Opportunity
Our Commitments for Summer 2027
Advance Equity in Funding
Budget-Based Award Thresholds: Smaller programs may receive closer to 100% of their request, while larger programs may receive partial awards to ensure broad reach across the city.
Leadership Priority: At least 80% of funding will go to Black- and Brown-led organizations (defined as both executive leadership and a majority of board members identifying as Black and/or Brown).
Grassroots First: Organizations with budgets under $750,000 will be prioritized.
Support Older Youth Pathways
- Target investments in programs serving youth ages 14–24 with leadership development, workforce readiness, and career pathway opportunities.
Balance Sustainability and Innovation
- Fund a 50/50 mix of current BCYF grantees and new organizations.
- Support trusted, proven programs while opening pathways for emerging leaders and innovative approaches.
Streamline and Support the Application Process
- A simplified application focused on organizational demographics, program scope, budget, and metrics.
- Free support through in-person Launchpad with emphasis on budget development and clarity.
Ensure Transparent and Timely Communication
- Clear announcements across email, website, social media, and video message.
- Early decision communications shared with grantees December 15, 2026, giving leaders ample time to prepare.
Strengthen Review and Accountability
- Community Review Panel including community adults, youth leaders, and past grantees. Reviewers will be trained, stipended, and supported to ensure fairness and rigor.
- Applications managed in SmartSimple for consistency and transparency.
Invest in Training and Capacity-Building
- Free health and safety certifications for at least 100 individuals from grantee organizations.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be Baltimore City-based and youth-centered, serving ages 24 and under
- Be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored organization
- Have an annual operating budget of $750,000 or less
- Have 51% or more Baltimore City resident employees
- Have been in existence for at least one year
- Have at least one year of experience operating youth programs
Funding Goals
- Expand Meaningful Summer Opportunities
- Strengthen Pathways for Older Youth
- Invest in Community-Rooted Organizations
- Advance Equity in Grantmaking
- Build Community Power
Key Dates
July 15, 2026 — Funding Opportunity Announcement Released
August 26, 2026 — Grant Review and Application Walkthrough
September 1, 2026 — Applications Open
October 1, 2026 — Question submission deadline is now Sept 29 at 5 PM EDT
October 1, 2026 — Application Deadline (11:59 PM EDT)
October 1 – November 15, 2026 — Application Review Period
December 15, 2026 — Award Notifications
April 1, 2027 — Grant Start Date
June 14, 2027 — Summer Programming Begins
August 31, 2027 — Summer Programming Ends
September 30, 2027 — Grant End Date
Resources
Ready to Make Summer Possible?
Apply for up to $100,000 to support safe, joyful, and enriching summer opportunities for Baltimore’s children and youth.
