Citizen Academy Small Grant Program

The MD Two Fifty Commission is currently offering funding through its Citizen Academy Small Grant Program, intended to support the launch and implementation of local citizen academies throughout the state of Maryland. The commission, which serves to commemorate and engage communities around Maryland’s semiquincentennial celebration, has structured this grant to encourage civic education and community engagement across a wide array of public institutions. The program is explicitly designed to fund the planning and execution of two citizen academy cohorts over a 12-month period. The grants are valued at $1,000 each and are open to a variety of public institutions operating within Maryland. Eligible applicants include county and municipal governments, public library systems, public K-12 school systems, community colleges, and four-year higher education institutions. This grant initiative does not require matching funds, lowering the barrier to entry for communities and institutions that may have limited discretionary resources. The funding is intended to offset implementation costs such as supplies, printing, transportation, and refreshments related to citizen academy activities. Applications are reviewed on a rolling monthly basis. Applicants can expect to receive notification regarding their application status within 60 days of submission. The application portal remains open until all allocated funds are disbursed, at which point it will close. Due to the rolling nature of the application cycle, no specific final deadline is provided, and applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible while funds remain available. Funding priority is given to applicants representing diverse geographic and demographic regions within Maryland. Particular emphasis is placed on communities that are ethnically and racially diverse, those with significant low-income or immigrant populations, and rural localities. Programs must be accessible to the general population, reinforcing the commission's aim of promoting inclusivity and broad civic participation. The application process is conducted entirely online via the MD Two Fifty Commission’s website. In addition, virtual office hours are made available for prospective applicants seeking guidance, with schedules posted on the same webpage and promoted through the commission’s social media channels. Questions may also be directed to the assistant administrator, Erin Bode, at Erin.Bode@Maryland.gov. The Citizen Academy Small Grant Program represents a timely opportunity for Maryland-based public institutions to foster civic awareness and community cohesion through a relatively low-cost, high-impact initiative. Given the program’s minimal administrative burden and prioritization of inclusivity, it is particularly well-suited to communities seeking to establish or expand local civic education efforts.