BCYF Brings Baltimore Nonprofit Leaders to SXSW EDU to Showcase Grassroots Innovation and Youth Impact

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Feb 20, 2025, 16:55 ET

BALTIMORE, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) is taking a select group of grantees to SXSW EDU 2025 to experience the 15th annual conference. One of the world's largest learning conferences, SXSW EDU invites educators, students, and leaders in the education sector from across the globe to exchange ideas and hold groundbreaking discussions about the future of learning, from early through higher and continuing education. Taking place at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas, from March 3-6, BCYF is investing in this experience for its grantees as part of its commitment to strengthening Baltimore's youth development ecosystem through professional development and networking opportunities for youth-serving leaders.

SXSW EDU is a unique convergence of forward-thinking ideas and breakthrough technologies, attended by educators, nonprofit leaders, and changemakers dedicated to shaping the future of learning. For BCYF grantees, attending SXSW EDU provides them access to cutting-edge strategies, renowned funders, and experts and the opportunity to amplify their voices and showcase their innovative youth development work nationally. By investing in their participation, BCYF ensures local organizations can learn from best practices nationwide and elevate Baltimore's story of grassroots leadership and innovation in education.

"Taking our grantees to SXSW EDU is about more than just attending a conference, it's about ensuring that Baltimore's youth-development leaders and organizations are part of national discussions on the future of education," said Alysia Lee, President & CEO of BCYF. "This opportunity empowers them with resources, connections, and strategies that will benefit the young people they serve in our great city."

Breakout sessions explored key topics such as sustainability, storytelling, and innovative practices, equipping attendees with practical tools to strengthen their programs. With grantees leading 50% of the sessions, the impact was undeniable, reflected in an outstanding 90% satisfaction score.

Following BCYF's annual convening, The Gathering, in November 2024, a select group of grantees was scored and chosen based on their high presentation performance, with all presenters invited to attend. These organizations, recognized for their leadership and commitment to youth development, will now take the stage at SXSW EDU 2025, bringing Baltimore's grassroots innovation to a national platform.

In November 2024, BCYF held its annual convening, The Gathering, where attendees tackled critical topics like sustainability, storytelling, and innovative practices through breakout sessions – 50% of which were grantee-led. With a 90% satisfaction score, the sessions proved to be both relevant and impactful, equipping attendees with practical tools to enhance their community programs. All grantee presenters from The Gathering were invited to SXSW EDU, and the following grantees will be in attendance:

Attendees will gain access to and participate in conversations on education innovation, workforce development, equity, and more. Engaging with the nation's best and brightest in the education sector, attendees will leave the conference equipped with the tools, forward-thinking ideas, and connections needed to expand their impact in their respective communities.

BCYF's presence at SXSW EDU underscores the importance of investment in local leadership and capacity-building to ensure that the organizations driving change for Baltimore's youth have the tools to sustain and grow their impact. The insights and collaborations formed at SXSW EDU will strengthen the city's ecosystem for young people, making education and workforce opportunities more accessible, innovative, and community-driven.

"Attending this event is only the beginning," Lee shares. "Beyond this event, BCYF is committed to providing guidance and resources to any of our grantees who are interested in preparing an application for SXSW EDU 2026 – through this experience, we aim to inspire our leaders to take the stage and present their impactful youth-centric work to a national audience next year."

For more information on BCYF and upcoming community events, visit bcyfund .org. For media inquiries, please contact Marilynn Elie at [email protected].

About the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund:
Baltimore Children & Youth Fund (BCYF) builds partnerships that support the ecosystem focused on opportunities for Baltimore youth by providing support to leaders and organizations. The effort to create a dedicated fund to support programs for Baltimore's young people was launched in 2015 by then-City Council President Bernard "Jack" C. Young — a response to the unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody, an event that sharply illuminated longstanding inequities in public funding in Black communities. Supported by Baltimore City residents' tax dollars, since 2020 BCYF has awarded over $31M to Baltimore programs serving children and youth.

SOURCE Baltimore Children & Youth Fund