Baltimore Residents Take Center Stage in Grant Making for Youth Empowerment

Engaging Communities: Baltimore Children & Youth Fund's Innovative Grant Making Initiative

In a groundbreaking effort to transform youth funding, the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) has unveiled its Community Grant Review (CGR) initiative. Launched on March 3, 2025, this program is designed to prioritize community voices by directly involving local residents in the decision-making process for grant allocations. This innovative initiative exemplifies a participatory approach to philanthropy, aiming to empower communities and foster grassroots leadership.

BCYF's CGR initiative challenges traditional funding models by ensuring that community members play an instrumental role in evaluating grant proposals. By allowing residents to assess and recommend funding distributions, BCYF not only enhances transparency but also builds trust between the organization and the community it serves. This two-way engagement is expected to lead to more informed and effective funding decisions, ultimately benefitting the youth-serving organizations.

Key Aspects of the CGR Initiative

1. Community-Led Decision-Making: Residents are at the forefront, directly influencing the funding process. This participatory model ensures that those who are most affected by decisions have a stake in them.
2. Equitable Grantmaking: The initiative actively works to guarantee that grassroots organizations, often underfunded and overlooked, have critical access to necessary resources. By leveling the playing field, BCYF seeks to create more equitable opportunities for all youth programs.
3. Capacity Building: BCYF is committed to providing training and resources to community members who are involved in the review process. This approach not only educates participants but also empowers them with the skills needed to critically evaluate funding proposals.

Alysia Lee, the President and CEO of BCYF, emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, "BCYF's Community Grant Review initiative is about shifting power and putting decision-making in the hands of those closest to the work we do. By trusting and investing in the Baltimore community, we can ensure that funding reaches the organizations making the greatest impact on our young people."

The initiative reflects BCYF's longstanding commitment to equity and inclusion in its funding practices. Promoting community voices in philanthropy not only strengthens the organizations but is also pivotal for nurturing sustainable change in Baltimore. Funding decisions will be made based on community insights, leading to better-targeted solutions that address the specific needs of children and youth in the city.

Timeline and Engagement

The CGR initiative will follow a structured timeline. Applications for community reviewers opened in December, with training sessions scheduled for March, culminating in the grant evaluation process by the end of the same month. Final funding decisions are expected to be publicly announced in August, ensuring ample time for thorough assessments and community engagement. This timeline allows the community to fully engage in the process, enhancing the quality of evaluations and fostering deeper connections between residents and the organizations they support.

About the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund: Established in 2015 in response to ongoing disparities highlighted by social unrest, BCYF aims to forge partnerships that enhance the opportunities available to Baltimore's youth. With a focus on leveraging local tax dollars, the organization has allocated over $31 million in funding to various youth programs since 2020, underscoring its deep commitment to addressing inequality in funding.

For more information on the Community Grant Review and participation details, residents can visit bcyfund.org. As the city moves forward, initiatives like the CGR promise to reshape the philanthropic landscape, ensuring that Baltimore's youth receive the support they need to thrive.