Strategic Grant Program

The Community Foundation of Frederick County administers Strategic Grants to address the most critical community needs in Frederick County, Maryland. Founded through the generosity of local donors, the Community Foundation seeks to strengthen, sustain, and improve quality of life for all residents. Strategic Grants are informed by the Frederick County Human Needs Assessment Report, with updates from the 2022 assessment conducted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants target urgent priorities such as supporting families with children, preparing for a growing aging population, and responding to Substance Use Disorder. The updated report also identified additional needs including access to affordable housing, addressing mental health, and alleviating disparities in service delivery. Funding is open to a broad range of local entities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status in good standing with the IRS, government and quasi-governmental agencies applying for extraordinary projects outside normal tax-funded activities, religious organizations requesting funds for non-sectarian projects, and civic groups without 501(c)(3) status seeking support for community causes. Applicants must be in compliance with Maryland state nonprofit regulations, the Maryland Secretary of State’s charitable division, the Department of Assessment & Taxation’s Maryland Personal Property tax division, and IRS requirements, as verified through GuideStar’s Charity Check. The Strategic Grants program allows a minimum request of $1,000 with no maximum funding cap specified. Multiple applications from the same organization are permitted. Funds awarded must be used within the grant period of December 1, 2025 through March 31, 2027. Funding is intended for high-impact projects directly benefiting Frederick County residents, aligning with identified priority areas from the Human Needs Assessment. Spending must adhere to the project scope described in the approved application, and reporting requirements include an interim report due by July 30, 2026 and a final report due by April 30, 2027. Site visits may substitute for interim written reports. Applications are submitted online through the Community Foundation’s grants portal. The Strategic Grants application period runs from August 15 to September 15, 2025. During the review process, the Grants Committee, composed of board members and community volunteers with relevant expertise, evaluates applications and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees for final funding decisions. Applicants will be notified of award decisions in late October 2025. The Community Foundation provides resources to assist applicants, including the Grant Seeker’s Guidebook and access to a virtual grant application training recording. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the Community Foundation’s grants team with questions prior to submission. Direct inquiries can be made by emailing community.impact@FrederickCountyGives.org or calling 301-695-7660. The Foundation’s office is located at 312 East Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Strategic Grants are offered annually, making them a recurring funding opportunity for local nonprofits and other eligible entities. This program is designed to align resources with the most pressing needs as determined through comprehensive community assessments, ensuring that funding is impactful, equitable, and responsive to emerging challenges.

Read the Grant Seeker’s Guidebook; contact grants team before applying; use online application system