The BMORE Beautiful Say YES! 2025 Youth Engagement Grant aims to strengthen neighborhoods by empowering youth to participate in beautification, service, and outreach initiatives. Administered by BMORE Beautiful, this competitive grant opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and neighborhood associations in Baltimore City. The program encourages youth ages 14-18 to engage meaningfully with their communities, developing a sense of pride, fostering work ethic, and building lasting neighborly connections through hands-on projects.

Organizations selected through the application process can engage up to five youth per session if they are new applicants, and up to ten youth if they are returning applicants in good standing. All participants must complete a registration form submitted at least one week before their session starts. Organizations must oversee the youth’s work and ensure compliance with reporting requirements, including youth perception surveys and collection tracking forms. Failure to submit required reports disqualifies organizations from future funding opportunities.

Two sessions are offered under this program. The Summer Session is a seven-week period tentatively scheduled from June 17 to July 26, 2025, and the Fall Session will run from September 13 to October 25, 2025. Youth can earn up to $400 for their participation, paid at a rate of $10 per hour, working no more than five hours per week. Youth participants are allowed to complete only one session per calendar year. Continued funding for the Fall session is available for eligible groups, with a new set of youth required.

Applicants must submit a completed application, signed by the project coordinator, along with a 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter, a W9 form, and, if applicable, a fiscal sponsor’s letter of support. Filing an application does not guarantee funding. All documents must be submitted either via email to BMOREBeautiful@baltimorecity.gov or physically to the Environmental Control Board at One North Charles Street, 13th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Selected program coordinators will undertake administrative duties such as ensuring youth attendance, timesheet completion, and survey participation. They are eligible to receive up to $250 per session for their services. Organizations must submit necessary session documentation (timesheets, collection trackers, perception surveys, and coordinator invoices) by August 8, 2025, for the Summer session and November 7, 2025, for the Fall session.