Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc (BCYF) is a public charity based in Baltimore, Maryland. It stewards public funds to support organizations serving Baltimore City’s children and youth, combining grants with capacity-building and professional development.
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc gave $10.6M across 89 grants in 2025 (avg $119K), mostly in Maryland. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,563,911
- +16.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 89
- -39.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $118,696
- +91.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $96,893
- Total assets
- $17,902,221
- -1.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maryland (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc
- Review Cycle
- The Summer of Possibility Fund 2027 application deadline was October 1, 2026, a past deadline.
- Deadline
- The Summer of Possibility Fund 2027 application deadline was October 1, 2026, a past deadline.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10 E North Ave 5, Baltimore, MD 21202
Phone: (410) 870-5082
Website: https://bcyfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc
BCYF: Community Accountable Fund Grant
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc
Amount
Up to US $225,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
BCYF: Grassroots Fund Grant
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc
Amount
Up to US $250,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Charm City Youth Athletics Fund
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Fund for Educational Excellence ($624K). Together the top 10 received $3.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
338 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 111 grants of 338 (33%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
BCYF describes its grantmaking as supporting youth-serving organizations in Baltimore City. In filing year 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland and 1% to recipients in Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 89 itemized grants.
Cities
How Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc gives
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+16%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.0M (2021) to $10.6M (2025). In 2025 it made 89 grants totaling $10.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fund for Educational Excellence Baltimore, MD | Aligned Grantmaking Fund - SFC and Grassroots Fund | $623,500 |
| Ballet After Dark Inc Baltimore, MD | Aligned Grantmaking Fund - SFC and Grassroots Fund | $337,200 |
| Obasi Foundation Inc Reisterstown, MD | President's Fund $50K, Grassroots 250 | $300,000 |
| A Prosperous Tomorrow Baltimore, MD | Grassroots Fund | $250,000 |
| Beyond Fearless Inspired by Truth Inc Baltimore, MD | Grassroots Fund | $250,000 |
| Capoeira Social Project Ltd Baltimore, MD | Grassroots Fund | $250,000 |
| Global Children Financial Literacy Foundation Inc Lisbon, MD | Grassroots Fund | $250,000 |
| Glow Forward Foundation Inc Baltimore, MD | Grassroots Fund | $250,000 |
| QSS Baltimore Inc Baltimore, MD | Grassroots Fund | $250,000 |
| The Wylie Foundation Inc Baltimore, MD | Grassroots Fund | $250,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17,902,221 | $17,148,270 | $16,955,842 | $10,563,911 | 89 | $284,560 |
| 2024 | $18,200,811 | $14,683,738 | $14,351,560 | $9,053,030 | 146 | $310,295 |
| 2023 | $16,171,571 | $14,992,091 | $14,823,731 | $9,366,250 | 61 | $89,707 |
| 2022 | $11,624,757 | $13,038,682 | $13,038,682 | $9,078,779 | 39 | — |
| 2021 | $5,729,821 | $6,648,910 | $6,648,910 | $5,000,000 | 3 | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
BCYF’s mission is to build partnerships that support an ecosystem of opportunities for Baltimore youth by supporting leaders and organizations. Its 2024 filing describes its work as funding community-based organizations serving young people in Baltimore City ages 24 and younger, alongside professional development intended to strengthen organizational effectiveness and leadership.
BCYF’s website describes support for youth programming that ranges from academic support and science exploration to dance and photography. It emphasizes grassroots, community-accountable organizations and says its grant decisions are shaped by Baltimore community members and youth leaders. Among the 2025 grantees, the Fund for Educational Excellence says it works to improve education for Baltimore City public school students; Ballet After Dark says it provides arts and trauma-informed programming for Black and Brown girls and youth; and RISE Arts Center says it supports the well-being and creative skills of neurodivergent and neurotypical youth and young adults in underserved communities.
Grantmaking
BCYF reported 89 grants totaling $10,563,911 in filing year 2025. Grants ranged from $25,000 to $623,500, with a median of $96,893. The Grassroots Fund supports Baltimore-based, youth-serving organizations with multi-year grants of $50,000 annually, as well as technical assistance and capacity building. The website says a panel of community grant reviewers selects recipients through an annual application process. BCYF also describes the Aligned Grantmaking Fund as supporting collaborative funding partnerships for youth-led and youth-focused projects and Baltimore’s social-sector infrastructure. Its 2024 filing identifies four grantmaking funds: the Grassroots Fund, Community Accountable Fund, Aligned Grantmaking Fund, and President’s Fund.
The largest reported 2025 awards included $623,500 to the Fund for Educational Excellence, $337,200 to Ballet After Dark Inc, and $300,000 to the Obasi Foundation Inc. Other listed grants included $250,000 each to A Prosperous Tomorrow, Beyond Fearless Inspired by Truth Inc, Capoeira Social Project Ltd, Global Children Financial Literacy Foundation Inc, Glow Forward Foundation Inc, QSS Baltimore Inc, The Wylie Foundation Inc, Women’s Institute for Social and Economic Development, and Young Successful Leaders Inc.
BCYF’s website lists the Grassroots Fund and Community Accountable Fund as currently open. It also lists the Summer of Possibility Fund, with a $2 million investment in summer opportunities and an application period that ran from September 1 to October 1, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following trustees: Chan’nel Williams Howard, Noell Lugay, Robert Turner, Tiera Hawkes, Britt Hayes, Isaiah Gregory, Kathleen Jones, Jordan Drayton, Zion Chambers, and Mark Parker.
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc is led by Alysia Lee, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; 7 of 19 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alysia Lee
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$172K (2023) → $207K (2025)
Erica Miller Former
Senior Director of Data Management
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$121K (2025)
Hana Zaro Formerly Hana Machover
Co-Director of Grantmaking - Compliance
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Keith Spraker Former
Director of Information Technology
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$109K (2025)
Britt Hayes
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chan'nel Williams Howard
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Noell Lugay
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Turner
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tiera Hawkes
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Isaiah Gregory
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Drayton
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Jones
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Parker
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zion Chambers
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brandon Hansen
Vice President of External Affairs
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$129K (2025)
Harold Young
Program Officer
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Sherrona Lawrence
Vice President of Operations & Culture Employee
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$139K (2025)
Marcus Pollock
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nellie Power
Interim Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Catherine Benton-Jones (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: John Morris (2021–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Lanaye Drake (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Larry Carlton Simmons Jr. (2022–2024) — Chair
- Former: Louis Williams III (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jon Gray (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Keiona Gorham (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Bennice Thayer (2024) — Finance Director
- Former: Dion Cartwright (2021–2023) — Chair
- Former: Jacqueline Caldwell (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Kirsten Allen (2021–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Lisa Molock (2022–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Earl El-Amin (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Erika Seth Davies (2021–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Julia Baez (2021–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Jon Gay (2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $207K, to Alysia Lee (President & CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc
How much does Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc give each year?
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc gave $10.6M across 89 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $9.1M across 146 grants.
What is Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's median grant in 2025 was $96,893, and its average grant was $118,696, across 89 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc give grants?
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc gives mostly in Maryland: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Baltimore, MD (76 grants) and Reisterstown, MD (2 grants).
Does Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 89 grants with a stated purpose on Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Aligned Grantmaking Fund - SFC and Grassroots Fund" (33 grants), "Grassroots Fund" (29 grants) and "Aligned Grantmaking Fund - SFC" (12 grants).
Who are Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Fund for Educational Excellence ($623,500), Ballet After Dark Inc ($337,200) and Obasi Foundation Inc ($300,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 12% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc?
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc reported $17.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $17.1M.
What does Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc fund?
BCYF’s mission is to build partnerships that support an ecosystem of opportunities for Baltimore youth by supporting leaders and organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc?
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check bcyfund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's EIN?
Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-0665944. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/baltimore-children-and-youth-fund-inc-morg_d85a945f14b842be848a4f4ab8e5c758
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_850665944_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/baltimore-children-and-youth-fund-inc-morg_d85a945f14b842be848a4f4ab8e5c758},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Baltimore Children and Youth Fund Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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