The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) will host its Boardlight event on Thursday, October 16, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET at Baltimore Unity Hall, aiming to strengthen community engagement and support professional growth for youth-serving organizations. The event is open to BCYF grantees, partners, and community members who want to learn more about the fund's mission, available resources, and the city's investment in youth programs.
Boardlight is designed as a learning and connection opportunity, particularly for organizations operating with budgets under $750,000. It will help them understand BCYF's dual investment model, which pairs direct funding with training and technical assistance. Later in the evening, BCYF will host a Pre-Application Technical Assistance (PATA) session, a professional development workshop preparing grantee applicants for the fund's upcoming $2 million summer funding round. According to BCYF, participants in the PATA program are five times more likely to receive a grant than those who do not engage in the training.
“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.”
Boardlight emphasizes community learning, skill-building, and connection, demonstrating that BCYF's support extends beyond funding to build lasting organizational strength. Together with the PATA sessions, the event reflects BCYF's comprehensive approach to community investment, combining financial resources with technical assistance to expand equity and sustainability across Baltimore's youth ecosystem. To learn more about BCYF, visit bcyfund.org.
