The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund will host its Boardlight event on Thursday, October 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET at Baltimore Unity Hall, offering grantees, partners, and community members an opportunity to learn about BCYF's mission, available resources, and the city's ongoing investment in youth-serving organizations. This event is designed as a learning and connection opportunity, specifically helping organizations with budgets under $750,000 better understand BCYF's dual investment model that combines financial support with technical assistance.
Following the main event, BCYF will conduct a Pre-Application Technical Assistance session to prepare applicants for the upcoming $2 million summer funding round. The PATA program has demonstrated significant effectiveness, with participants being five times more likely to receive grants than those who do not engage in the training. This success rate illustrates how the program levels the playing field for smaller organizations seeking funding in Baltimore's competitive landscape.
"This event is a great opportunity for Baltimore residents to see how public funding is transforming the lives of young people across our city," said Alysia Lee, President of BCYF. "Along with professional development and grant application support, it's a hands-on way to experience how BCYF empowers and uplifts grassroots organizations." The event represents a strategic approach to community investment that moves beyond simple funding distribution to build lasting organizational strength.
Boardlight emphasizes community learning, skill-building, and connection, demonstrating how BCYF's support extends beyond financial resources to create sustainable organizational capacity. Together with the PATA sessions, this reflects BCYF's comprehensive approach to community investment, combining financial resources with technical assistance to expand equity and sustainability across Baltimore's youth ecosystem. This dual investment strategy represents a significant shift in how public funding can create lasting change by building organizational capacity rather than simply providing temporary financial support.
The event's specific focus on organizations with budgets under $750,000 highlights BCYF's commitment to supporting smaller, community-based groups that often face barriers to accessing traditional funding opportunities. By providing both financial resources and educational support through programs like PATA, BCYF aims to create a more equitable distribution of resources across Baltimore's youth-serving landscape. This approach recognizes that sustainable community impact requires more than just funding—it requires building the internal capacity of organizations to effectively serve their communities over the long term.
The Boardlight event and associated PATA sessions represent an innovative model of public-private partnership that could influence how other cities approach youth funding. By combining direct financial support with technical assistance and community building, BCYF creates a more holistic support system for organizations serving Baltimore's youth. This comprehensive approach addresses both immediate funding needs and long-term organizational sustainability, potentially creating more resilient community organizations that can continue serving youth beyond any single grant cycle. To learn more about BCYF's programs and initiatives, visit https://www.bcyfund.org.
