One of BCF’s greatest strengths is understanding Baltimore’s nonprofit ecosystem. We work with myriad organizations across the region every day, giving us insight into where innovative solutions are emerging, where measurable outcomes are being achieved, and where philanthropic investments can make a meaningful difference. That knowledge informs BCF’s grantmaking and helps us advise fundholders who care deeply about Baltimore. When a fundholder is interested in a particular issue area, we can help them better understand the nonprofit landscape and connect them with local organizations that are demonstrating results.
Dent Education is one such organization.
In 2023, BCF entered into a partnership with Dent Education, an organization that helps Baltimore youth develop entrepreneurial, professional, and leadership skills through hands-on learning experiences. Since then, BCF has hosted a cohort of the Accelerate Your Dent summer program, welcoming students into our offices and giving them exposure to a professional work environment while they build skills for their futures.
Advancing Career & Economic Mobility
BCF invests in organizations that prepare young people for their future by addressing the future of work, entrepreneurship, and opportunities for economic growth and living-wage careers.
Dent’s approach aligns closely with that goal.
Through paid opportunities, mentorship, and project-based learning, students gain practical experience while developing the skills today’s employers value most: problem-solving, communication, leadership, teamwork, and innovation. Whether they pursue college, credentials, careers, or launch businesses of their own, participants leave with the confidence and capabilities needed to expand their economic opportunities.
In fiscal year 2025 alone, Dent served 162 youth across Baltimore, including 104 participants in its deep-engagement programs. Young people contributed more than 13,500 hours in Dent programs and earned nearly $180,000 in wages. Meanwhile, 30 youth-led ventures created through Dent programming positively impacted 475 Baltimore community members.
The organization also expanded its NextGen Innovators initiative, which helps young people develop durable workforce skills, solve real-world challenges alongside employer partners, and earn industry-recognized credentials. In 2025, 91% of participating students who took the Adobe Content Creation & Marketing credential exam earned the credential before interning with organizations including Parity Homes and Majestic Light Group. Dent also launched an AI x Design Thinking credential in partnership with IDEO U and worked with local partners to help other youth-serving organizations integrate workforce credentials into their programs.
These outcomes reflect more than participation. They demonstrate meaningful progress toward workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic mobility.
Building Skills Through Real-World Experience
Dent’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Through its Dentern program, students work alongside businesses, nonprofits, and public-sector organizations on real projects that strengthen both technical and professional skills.
This summer, BCF attended Dent’s Summer Pop-Up Showcase at R. House, where students presented product prototypes they had developed for local clients. The event offered a tangible demonstration of how young people are applying creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills to real-world challenges.
One such client was Baltimore City Public Schools’ Baltimore Trains for Wind initiative, which prepares students for career opportunities in Maryland’s growing clean-energy sector. As the district looked for ways to tell the story of the program’s impact, Career Readiness Manager Barbara Ellard turned to Dent students for help.
“This work is intended to directly impact young people, so we wanted them at the center of the storytelling around it. Dent’s interns weren’t just learning about our work. They were helping shape how we communicate it to the community.”
Ellard noted that the students developed promotional materials and even prototyped a wind turbine demonstration model. Their work showcased the kinds of skills employers increasingly seek, from project management and communication to design thinking and collaboration.
For BCF, partnerships like these illustrate why organizations such as Dent are advancing Career & Economic Mobility. Students are not only gaining exposure to emerging industries and career pathways. They’re building experience, confidence, and professional networks that can open doors long after the program ends.
Why BCF Fundholders Support Dent
Dent’s results have resonated with a number of BCF fundholders, who have chosen to support the organization after learning more about its work.
After attending Dent’s annual Bet on Baltimore Showcase, BCF fundholder Paul Wolman witnessed their impact firsthand.
“If you want to feel potential for Baltimore’s next generation, experience Dent’s Bet on Baltimore Showcase. Seeing some of the 40 teams of city high schoolers from 25 different high schools share their projects and present in front of 150 plus people, demonstrating the real-world impact through building their business models, their confidence, community, and obvious JOY, is inspiring.”
BCF fundholder Paul Silber was equally impressed by Dent’s focus on workforce readiness and measurable outcomes.
“We support Dent Education because they are in our ‘sweet spot’ of programs that work with youth learners to help develop relevant and employable skills. We are especially impressed with their ‘earn to learn’ approach, teaching innovative skills coupled with a can-do entrepreneurial mindset.
We also select organizations with measurable results, and Dent outcomes are stellar. Micky and his able team are making a real difference.”
More Than Grantmaking
BCF’s support for Dent reflects something larger than a single grant or partnership.
Baltimore is fortunate to have a vibrant nonprofit community, yet donors often ask which organizations are producing measurable results and where their charitable dollars can make the greatest difference.
That’s where BCF can help.
Because we maintain deep relationships throughout the nonprofit sector, we can help donors better understand community needs, learn about organizations producing results, and identify opportunities that align with their philanthropic goals.
Dent Education is one example of an organization helping create pathways to career success and economic mobility for Baltimore’s young people. By connecting fundholders with organizations like Dent, BCF helps pair generosity with local knowledge, community expertise, and a deep understanding of what is working across Baltimore.
