Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) Grants - Regional Planning and Development Councils

The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) is administered by the Rural Maryland Council (RMC), an official entity of the State of Maryland dedicated to supporting and improving the quality of life in the state’s rural communities. MAERDAF is a key financial mechanism under the Council’s broader initiatives to empower nonprofit organizations and community colleges that serve rural Maryland, facilitating planning, development, and educational programming across key sectors including agriculture, forestry, and economic development. The MAERDAF grant program is structured to build capacity in nonprofit and educational institutions that are actively involved in rural development. Its core mission is to increase the ability of these organizations to respond effectively to challenges unique to rural areas and to foster the creation of public-private partnerships. The fund also aims to attract and leverage non-state sources of funding to multiply its impact. Specifically, community colleges that provide technical assistance and enhanced training to support agricultural and small business development are eligible for funding, along with rural-serving nonprofit organizations focused on statewide and regional goals. In Fiscal Year 2027, the MAERDAF grant process opens on April 20, 2026. The program follows a two-phase application model. Phase 1 requires a Letter of Intent, due by May 15, 2026. Applicants who progress past this phase will be notified during the week of June 18, 2026. Those selected will be invited to submit a full application for Phase 2, which is due on July 10, 2026. Final award decisions are expected to be announced during the week of August 17, 2026. This phased approach enables the RMC to identify projects aligned with program goals early in the process and to focus resources on applicants with the highest potential impact. MAERDAF funds can be used for a range of project activities aligned with rural development goals, though specific spending restrictions and caps may be outlined in detailed guidelines, which are not fully detailed in the public overview. Funding can support strategic planning, capacity-building initiatives, workforce and economic development, educational programming in agriculture and forestry, and collaboration-building activities among regional entities. While specific award ceilings and floors are not publicly listed in the overview content, the grant has historically provided substantial support to eligible organizations throughout the state. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and community colleges that serve rural areas in Maryland. These organizations must have missions that align with promoting regional or statewide planning, community and economic development, or educational programming in agriculture and forestry. Entities must be able to demonstrate their commitment to the betterment of rural Maryland and their capability to administer and manage grant funds appropriately. Although fiscal sponsorship and eligibility exclusions such as faith-based limitations are not discussed, contact with RMC is encouraged for clarification. For further information about MAERDAF, applicants are advised to contact Megan D’Arcy via email at [email protected] or by phone at either 410.841.2744 (office) or 667.458.9101 (cell). The Rural Maryland Council encourages interested organizations to stay engaged and informed through membership and ongoing communication, particularly as some dates may be subject to change. Although a direct PDF of the guidelines was not provided in the primary source material, links to the grant guidelines and application materials are expected to be published by the RMC as the cycle progresses. The fund recurs annually and is expected to open future application rounds following similar schedules.