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Hosted by the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) and the Grantee Planning Committee, The Gathering 2025 is an annual convening that celebrates the power of Baltimore’s grassroots leaders and youth to create lasting change.
On Monday, November 17, 2025, the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) will host The Gathering 2025: Roots & Reach — Citywide Change From the Ground Up. This flagship convening brings together youth, grassroots leaders, and community partners to co-create solutions, celebrate youth-led change, and align efforts through the Baltimore Youth Master Plan.
The Gathering 2025 invites grantees, partners, and community members to connect, celebrate, and design bold, equitable systems—rooted in what makes Baltimore strong: its people.
This year’s theme, Roots & Reach, honors Baltimore’s deep community wisdom and expands its collective impact. Together, we will ground ourselves in the power of local leadership while charting pathways to transform systems for Baltimore’s young people.
We’ll publish a Learning Report after every conference, sharing what youth and community members said, what they learned, and how that learning turns into real actions for Baltimore’s Youth Master Plan.
Impact from Past Events
The Gathering 2024 demonstrated its power to connect and inspire:
- Over 4.7/5 satisfaction rating, with workshops highly valued for relevance and quality.
- 84% of attendees reported a strong sense of belonging, affirming the convening’s community-building spirit.
- 80% left with a clearer understanding of how their work aligns with BCYF’s vision, strengthening collective impact across Baltimore’s youth ecosystem.
Contact & Social
Contact: info@bcyfund.org
This year’s theme, “Roots & Reach: Citywide Change From the Ground Up,” reflects our belief that real transformation starts with community wisdom and grows through collaboration.
Roots symbolize the deep knowledge, resilience, and creativity within Baltimore’s neighborhoods. Reach represents the collective impact we achieve when local action expands citywide, aligned with the Youth Master Plan—a vision where all youth can thrive.
Join us as we build from the ground up with intention, co-creation, and shared leadership.
Who It’s For
Youth leaders, nonprofit staff, board members, funders, educators, grassroots organizers, practitioners, policymakers, and community allies who are shaping Baltimore’s youth development ecosystem.
Event Details
- Date: Monday, November 17, 2025
- Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM (doors open at 8:00 AM)
- Location: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
- Format: In-person, full-day convening with workshops, performances, and community celebrations
- Cost/Registration Info: Free to attend; meals, materials, and supports provided by BCYF
- Registration: [Register Now]
What You’ll Gain
- Clarity: Learn practical strategies from 27 youth- and community-led sessions, covering grant writing, wellness, advocacy, and more.
- Connection: Network with Baltimore’s youth development ecosystem—youth, grassroots leaders, and organizational partners.
- Momentum: Contribute to collective commitments that strengthen the Baltimore Youth Master Plan and guide action beyond the convening.
Agenda Snapshot
The Gathering 2025 begins with a community breakfast and youth-curated music to set a welcoming tone. The morning continues with an Opening Celebration and State of BCYF address, followed by a framing plenary on what citywide change from the ground up means for Baltimore today.
Participants then dive into two learning blocks: ten hands-on, 90-minute workshops in the morning, followed by a second round of 60-minute sessions offering 17 options for learning and exchange. Topics range from building stronger youth–adult partnerships and practicing radical self-care, to reimagining program design through equity-centered frameworks and exploring advocacy strategies rooted in community power.
Midday brings a Community Lunch and Celebration, with youth vendors, grantee showcases, and opportunities to connect across organizations. In the afternoon, participants engage in a final round of youth-led sessions and roundtables before coming together for a closing celebration featuring youth performances, collective reflections, and shared commitments to action.
Speakers / Facilitators
The Gathering will feature 27 sessions led by grassroots leaders, youth, and practitioners across Baltimore and beyond. Importantly, 12 of the 27 sessions (44%) include youth ages 0–24 as presenters or co-presenters. This strong representation ensures that young people are not only centered in the content but also actively shaping the learning experience for their peers and adult allies.
A full list of confirmed speakers and facilitators will be announced closer to the event.
Supports Available
- Meals and refreshments throughout the day
- Stipends for youth participants and BCYF grantee partners.
