Citizen Academy Small Grant Program

The MD Two Fifty Commission, established to guide Maryland’s commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026, is offering the Citizen Academy small grant program. This initiative reflects the Commission’s mission to foster civic engagement and education throughout Maryland, leaving a lasting legacy tied to the anniversary. Through these grants, the Commission seeks to support local governments and public institutions in creating citizen academies that strengthen community knowledge of governmental functions and encourage long-term civic participation. The Citizen Academy grants provide $1,000 awards to counties, municipalities, public library systems, public K-12 school systems, community colleges, and four-year higher education institutions within Maryland. The program requires applicants to commit to hosting two academy cohorts within a twelve-month period. The academies are intended to offer short-term educational programming, generally lasting no more than three months, and must be free to participants. These academies help residents learn how their local government operates, connect with elected and administrative officials, and discover ways to engage more directly in civic life. Funding is intended to support the direct costs of implementing a citizen academy. Eligible expenses include program supplies, printing, promotional efforts, transportation, and refreshments. The Commission emphasizes broad geographic participation, prioritizing awards for communities across all regions of Maryland, including diverse and underserved areas such as low-income, immigrant, and rural communities. Programs may cover general local government functions or focus on specific topics such as planning or public safety, and intergenerational participation is encouraged, with interest in models that include high school students and parents. Eligibility is strictly limited to government and public education entities. Private individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply. The program does not require matching funds, which reduces the financial barrier for smaller jurisdictions and institutions to participate. Applications are reviewed on a rolling monthly basis, with applicants typically notified of their status within sixty days, though the program will close once allocated funds are exhausted. Applications must be submitted through the Commission’s online portal. Required information includes applicant identification, a program vision statement, description of goals consistent with the Commission’s mission, proposed timeline, and anticipated promotion strategies. Applicants must also provide details on potential partnerships, previous experience in civic engagement, and the specific staff or officials responsible for program oversight. All applications must be accompanied by a W-9 form. The Commission reserves the right to publicize approved projects through its communication channels. The final submission deadline for the current funding round is October 18, 2025, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time. Applicants are encouraged to plan their citizen academies in alignment with the Commission’s broader vision of increasing civic participation, preparing community members for leadership roles, and building stronger connections between residents and local government institutions. The Citizen Academy grant program is anticipated to be an ongoing opportunity, reinforcing the Commission’s goal of sustaining citizen engagement well beyond the 250th anniversary year.

Align goals with Commission’s mission of civic engagement; emphasize diversity and intergenerational participation; outline sustainability beyond 2026