The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Baltimore Civic Site looks forward to a new year of building and investing in partnerships that improve the lives of our city’s youth and families. Though filled with potential, many young Baltimoreans face significant challenges on the path to adulthood. As we continue to help our city’s youth grow into the leaders, parents and community members Baltimore needs, we’d like to reflect on the accomplishments of our grantees and partners in 2023.

Mapping Funding Opportunities

We worked with Baltimore’s Promise to analyze the state of fund mapping in Baltimore. Fund mapping collects data on public and private investments to track how money is spent on services for young people in the city.

This analysis informed findings in the Baltimore City Youth Opportunities Landscape research project, led by Baltimore’s Promise.

Meeting the Need for Child Care

The Baltimore iteration of Growing Opportunities for Family Child Care began in 2022. The initiative provides training, coaching and resources to residents interested in owning and operating a child care business in their home, eventually leading to an increase in the availability of affordable, quality child care in the city.

Upon completion of the program, residents have the tools and community they need to open a family child care business.

Summer Jobs Today, Leaders Tomorrow

YouthWorks, an initiative of the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, connected nearly 7,900 youths to five-week summer jobs through 500 Baltimore employers.

While seasonal jobs provide young people with work experience and income, YouthWorks also prioritizes providing leadership opportunities — including roles on its Youth Advisory Council — as well as positions tailored to those who want to pursue careers in government or public service.

Investing in Entrepreneurs of Color

Revolve Fund connects Baltimore’s entrepreneurs of color to the startup capital their businesses and nonprofit organizations need to succeed.

The fund operates through a unique recoverable grant strategy, which connects entrepreneurs to seed money in the form of interest-free grants. Recipients agree to repay the grant as their businesses hit established financial milestones. The repaid funds are then applied to new grants for other businesses and nonprofits.

We remain grateful to our grantees and partners for their hard work and dedication to Baltimore’s young people. On behalf of the Baltimore Civic Site, I wish you and your families a bright new year.