The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) has awarded over $10 million in grants to more than 175 grassroots organizations during BCYF Month, demonstrating a substantial commitment to equity, youth leadership, and community engagement. This funding targets organizations with proven ability to engage young people in meaningful, community-rooted ways, continuing the fund's mission since its 2020 inception to address systemic inequities in public funding for Black communities following the unrest after Freddie Gray's death.
Grants were distributed through an intergenerational Community Grant Review process where nearly half of reviewers were young people themselves, ensuring funding decisions reflect Baltimore youth's values and needs. Recipients include diverse organizations such as The Chris Wilson Foundation, Youth As Resources, and Ballet After Dark, Inc. BCYF also provides free technical assistance to grant applicants in program development, budgeting, and data collection to maximize impact, as detailed on their official website https://www.bcyfund.org.
Devin Jackson of new grantee A Prosperous Tomorrow highlighted the funding's transformative potential, stating it enables program expansion that equips youth with high-value skills, thereby reengineering futures for an entire generation. Michael Rosenband of Requity praised the inclusive partnership with BCYF, which has allowed his team to engage in broader conversations and feel part of a larger movement. Since 2020, BCYF has awarded over $31 million to Baltimore youth programs supported by city tax dollars, building infrastructure around community-rooted excellence to ensure young people are surrounded by opportunities.
