Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program

The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program is a collaborative funding initiative administered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust in partnership with the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). This multi-track program is designed to support local organizations, land trusts, and community groups in Maryland with environmental restoration, conservation, and stewardship initiatives. The grant includes three distinct tracks tailored to different types of environmental impact. Track 1, Community Stewardship, supports community-led environmental projects such as local cleanups, education programs, and green infrastructure development, with awards of up to $5,000. Track 2, Land Trust Assistance, offers up to $10,000 to help build the capacity of land trusts, including support for conservation planning, stewardship systems, or training and technology. Track 3, Tree Planting on Agricultural Lands, provides up to $10,000 for projects on up to two acres and up to $50,000 for larger sites, supporting reforestation and afforestation in alignment with the state's Five Million Trees Initiative. All tracks share a unified goal of increasing civic engagement, improving local natural resources, and promoting long-term environmental sustainability. The eligible applicants include nonprofits, land trusts, community associations, youth and civic groups, and public agencies at all government levels. All applicants must operate within Maryland and provide proof of good standing with the state, except governmental entities which are exempt from this requirement. Applications are submitted through the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s online portal, with a strict deadline of December 1, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. The process includes multiple tabs in the application form—covering applicant and project information, timeline, deliverables, budget, and supporting documents. Each track requires completion of a unique narrative template. While matching funds are not required, reviewers favor applications that show additional resource leverage. Proposals are scored on criteria such as project goals, applicant capacity, methodology, long-term sustainability, and demonstration potential. Awards will be announced on March 20, 2026. Projects under Tracks 1 and 2 must be completed within 12 months, while those under Track 3 have up to 36 months. Awardees must submit status, progress, and final reports, and 10% of the awarded funds will be withheld until the final report is approved. This grant program has historically supported a wide range of impactful local projects, and the Chesapeake Bay Trust encourages early engagement from applicants, especially those new to grant writing or facing resource constraints. Technical assistance is available but must be requested at least two weeks before the submission deadline.

Include clear project metrics and landowner commitment; Contact Trust staff early; Strong letters of commitment increase scoring.