Maryland grants for Nonprofits

This grant provides funding to public and nonprofit-private accredited Pre-K through grade 12 schools in Anne Arundel County to support arts integration into their educational programs through performances, assemblies, and artist residencies.

Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response (MOOR) is initiating a Competitive Grant Program aimed at distributing approximately $6 million to the highest-scoring proposals from state and local governments, as well as private and non-profit community-based partners. These proposals should align with MOOR’s strategic priorities and address critical needs in substance use disorder and overdose response across the state. Eligible projects must focus on prevention, harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and public safety, with an emphasis on innovative or evidence-based approaches that fill service gaps.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grants aim to foster youth activities and engagement within Howard County by supporting free, accessible, and supportive programming developed by nonprofit and community organizations. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to empower community organizations with resources to create impactful programs for young people, particularly during non-school hours. The grant's strategic priority is to enhance youth well-being and development through structured engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits increased access to supportive out-of-school programs leads to improved social-emotional learning, mental health, and overall youth development. The primary target beneficiaries of the YEP! Grants are young people in Howard County. The program's impact goals include providing community organizations with the means to develop and expand programs that focus on social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and general activities for youth. By offering these programs outside of traditional school hours, the grants seek to address critical periods when young people may most benefit from engagement and support, thereby contributing to their holistic development and reducing potential negative outcomes associated with unstructured free time. The grants prioritize programming that occurs at least monthly over a 12-month period, engaging youth during weekends, after-school hours, and the summer. A key focus is on ensuring programs are either free or low-cost, with proposals needing to demonstrate how cost barriers are minimized for participants. Additionally, proposals are encouraged to leverage partnerships with other community organizations in Howard County, fostering a collaborative approach to youth development and maximizing resource utilization across the community. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of young people served by engaging activities, a broader geographic impact of programs within Howard County, and successful engagement of youth across various age groups. Grant recipients are required to track performance data, including the number of young people served, geographic reach, and age of youth served, and submit quarterly reports to the Office of the County Executive. This rigorous reporting mechanism ensures accountability and provides measurable results, allowing the Howard County Government to assess the effectiveness of the YEP! grants in achieving their objectives and continually refine their strategic approach to youth engagement.

This funding opportunity supports Anne Arundel County Public School clubs and youth organizations in implementing peer-led education programs focused on preventing substance misuse among youth.

The Kahlert Foundation's grant program is designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities, aligning with its mission to support vital sectors. The foundation's strategic priorities are primarily focused on health care, education, youth programs, veteran organizations, and human services. These areas represent the core of their philanthropic efforts, with a significant emphasis on health care, which accounts for approximately 50% of their grants. This strategic allocation reflects their theory of change: by investing heavily in health care, they aim to achieve the broadest possible positive impact on community well-being. Target beneficiaries for the Kahlert Foundation's grants include a wide array of individuals and groups within Maryland and surrounding areas, particularly Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, and Howard County. In health care, beneficiaries include patients in hospitals, hospice and palliative care, and uninsured/under-insured individuals receiving free exams and medicine, as well as those benefiting from health care research in areas like cancer, urology, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Youth programs target children and adolescents through education, after-school activities, mentorship, and health care initiatives, while education grants benefit K-12 public education, higher education students through scholarships (especially in STEM), and adults seeking degrees. Veterans and their families are also key beneficiaries, receiving support for medical care, TBI research, housing, scholarships, and financial assistance. The foundation's grant program has specific impact goals and expected outcomes, all centered on improving the quality of life with measurable results. For health care, the goal is to provide better access and quality of care, with expected outcomes including improved health outcomes for individuals and advancements in medical research. Youth programs aim to develop skills and values, leading to enhanced educational attainment and personal development. Education grants are expected to produce a generation of leaders, with outcomes such as increased degree attainment and stronger local communities and economies. For veterans, the anticipated outcomes include improved medical care, housing stability, and financial security, recognizing their sacrifices for the country. To ensure effectiveness and alignment with their strategic priorities, the Kahlert Foundation maintains strict eligibility criteria. Organizations must possess a 501(c)(3) status and are strongly encouraged to have at least a Silver Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, with a preference for Platinum-rated organizations. The foundation favors organizations that dedicate a high percentage of their funds to programs and services rather than administration. Grant requests must clearly demonstrate need, impact, and effectiveness, contributing to the measurable improvement of life quality. Organizations are also expected to exhibit strong leadership, financial stability, and a minimum of two years of operational history, ensuring that the grants are directed towards well-managed and impactful initiatives, whether for capital campaigns, special projects, or general operations, for one year or multi-year durations.

This program provides funding to organizations in Maryland that promote equitable access to outdoor recreation for underserved communities, addressing barriers like transportation and cost.

The BJAG Program aims to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime based on the state's specific needs. Grant funds are used to improve the criminal justice system, enhance law enforcement initiatives, crime prevention, and education, as well as to support corrections, drug treatment, planning, evaluation, technology improvements, and crime victim and witness initiatives. The program is focused on reducing gaps in services, decreasing violent crime, assisting crime victims, and improving enforcement, prosecution, adjudication, detention, and rehabilitation efforts across Maryland.

The City of Hyattsville Vandalism Prevention Grants Program aims to offer financial relief to small businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations within Hyattsville that have been negatively affected by vandalism. This program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and has a total of $15,000 available, split between two grants. The Vandalism Prevention Grant is specifically a reimbursement grant. While a direct "foundation mission alignment" and "theory of change" from the City of Hyattsville are not explicitly stated, the program's existence clearly aligns with a municipal mission to support local economic stability and community safety by mitigating the financial burdens of vandalism on its small business and non-profit sectors. The primary target beneficiaries are small businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations located in Hyattsville. A small business is defined as having fewer than 50 employees, annual revenues between $1,000 and $5 million, being independently owned and operated, and not dominant in its field. Franchise owners are eligible, but private residences, landlords, and multifamily residential properties are excluded. The impact goal is to help these entities cover costs associated with eligible repairs and security measures following vandalism incidents, thereby fostering their recovery and enhancing their resilience against future occurrences. The program prioritizes funding for specific eligible security measures. These include security cameras and recording equipment, shatterproof glass and protective films, lock enhancements, exterior lighting enhancements, alarm and monitoring systems, and anti-graffiti films, paints, or coatings. Funds are provided as a reimbursement for these measures acquired between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2024. The focus is clearly on proactive and reactive measures that directly address the physical and financial impacts of vandalism. The expected outcomes include reduced financial strain on affected small businesses and non-profits, improved security infrastructure across the city's commercial and non-profit sectors, and a disincentive for future vandalism through enhanced protective measures. Measurable results would be tracked by the number of grants awarded, the total amount of funds reimbursed, and the types of security measures implemented. While the document does not outline specific metrics like "reduction in vandalism incidents," the direct correlation between funding security enhancements and mitigating vandalism effects implies these as indirect, desired outcomes. The maximum award for the Vandalism Prevention Grant is $2,000 per business or non-profit organization.

This funding opportunity supports small, community-driven projects in Takoma Park, Maryland, aimed at strengthening neighborhood connections through grants for local non-profits and community organizations.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that deliver essential services and enriching programs in health, education, arts, and community development.

The 2024 Sustainable Communities Grant Program, a collaborative effort between Delmarva Power and the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature), aims to distribute $35,000 to support open space and resiliency projects within Delmarva Power's service area in Delaware and Maryland. This program continues Delmarva Power's commitment to sustainability, having already provided over $235,000 in grants for similar projects since 2020. The initiative aligns with both organizations' missions to foster environmental well-being and community strength. The program targets municipalities, recreational authorities, and nonprofits operating within the Delmarva Power service area. The grants, each up to $10,000, are designed to fund projects demonstrating significant impact across several key areas. The overarching impact goals are to strengthen natural systems and provide reliable community resources in emergencies, thereby addressing the realities of climate change and increasing extreme weather events. The grant program prioritizes projects focusing on Open Space Preservation, Conservation & Habitat Improvements, Environmental Conservation, and Community Resiliency. Community Resiliency is a broad focus, encompassing community engagement and education regarding resiliency, the purchase of energy storage solutions, and solar installations, including mobile solar units. This holistic approach ensures that projects can address various facets of environmental and community preparedness. Expected outcomes include enhanced natural systems, increased community preparedness for severe weather, and innovative solutions for emergency resource provision. The program encourages initiatives that not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also build resilience within communities. By funding projects that strengthen natural systems and offer reliable resources during emergencies, the program aims to achieve measurable improvements in local sustainability and safety.

The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Set-Aside, part of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, offers reimbursable federal aid for transportation-related community projects that enhance the intermodal transportation system. Maryland’s TA Program aims to improve mobility and accessibility, and enrich the cultural, aesthetic, historic, and environmental facets of the state’s transportation network. It supports the creation of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, the restoration of historic transportation buildings, the conversion of abandoned railway corridors to trails, and the mitigation of highway runoff, with a focus on projects that enhance community connectivity and the overall transportation landscape.

The FY25 Workforce Development Grant is dedicated to supporting educational and training opportunities aimed at enhancing workforce capabilities. With a special focus on populations such as people with disabilities, high school juniors and seniors, non-traditional students, nonprofit professionals, and skilled workers in critical sectors, the grant provides up to $7,500 for qualified applicants. Programs eligible for funding include summer work experiences, pre-apprenticeship programs, internships, occupational skills training with recognized credentials, concurrent educational programs, and leadership development initiatives. Additional consideration is given based on the scope of impact, collaborative efforts, organizational competence, and fiscal sustainability of applying organizations. Grant renewed every year.

The Anne Arundel County Government and Chesapeake Bay Trust have partnered to fund forestry projects and land protection in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. This grant program, with a deadline of August 1, 2024, offers grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 for a duration of two years. The overarching goal is to implement cost-effective reforestation and greening initiatives while increasing protected forested land. This aligns with the Chesapeake Bay Trust's mission of restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, as increasing tree cover and green areas directly contribute to improved water and soil quality, reduced erosion, and filtered airborne pollutants, all of which benefit the health of the Bay watershed. The program targets areas within Anne Arundel County, excluding the City of Annapolis. The primary beneficiaries are the residents and the natural environment of Anne Arundel County, as the projects aim to improve air and water quality, mitigate erosion, reduce summer temperatures and ozone pollution, and ensure valuable ecological services like habitat, water quality, and flood control for the future. The desired impact is a healthier, more sustainable environment through increased tree cover and protected forested lands. The program prioritizes reforestation/afforestation of protected lands, permanent protection of forested lands, and reforestation/afforestation and protection of uneased and unforested lands. Track 1 focuses on projects providing ecological benefits through riparian buffers, contiguous forest tracts, and wildlife habitat. Track 2 supports acquiring, executing, recording, and monitoring permanent conservation easements to protect existing tree canopy, particularly ecologically valuable sites. Track 3 allows for reforestation/afforestation on unprotected land, contingent on placing a permanent conservation easement, deed restriction, or long-term protective agreement. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in acres of reforested and protected forested land within Anne Arundel County. By expanding tree cover, the program anticipates a reduction in erosion, an improvement in water and soil quality, and a decrease in airborne pollutants such as particulates, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, the initiative is expected to lower summer temperatures, thereby reducing ozone pollution and energy consumption. The protection of forested lands will ensure long-term ecological services like wildlife habitat, sustained water quality, and effective flood control, contributing to the overall resilience and environmental health of the county.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits, civic groups, and government agencies in Frederick County, Maryland, for projects that enhance community well-being and address local needs.

The 2025 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Grant: Rural Health program, overseen by the Rural Maryland Council, aims to elevate the standard of living in rural Maryland to meet or exceed statewide benchmarks by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the unique cultural aspects of rural life. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster economic and community development through targeted investments and promote regional and intergovernmental cooperation. The underlying theory of change is that by facilitating strategic investments and leveraging additional non-state resources, local and regional public and nonprofit organizations can achieve sustainable rural development objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Maryland's rural areas, particularly those facing challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. The program specifically seeks to address health workforce shortages in primary care, surgical specialties, dentistry, mental health, and other medical specialty areas. The impact goals are to improve overall health outcomes, enhance access to a variety of healthcare services, and reduce health disparities in rural populations. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, encompassing improvements in health and medical/dental/behavioral health care access, expansion of tele-medicine and telehealth networking, and the development of programs for healthcare planning and coordination. It also prioritizes addressing rural population health needs, ensuring health care insurance and treatment enrollment, and implementing components of the state’s rural health plan. Additionally, the grant focuses on rural nonemergency medical transportation, recruitment and retention of health care and public health professionals, and addressing behavioral and mental health issues such as substance use disorder, depression, and domestic abuse. Expected outcomes include improved access to health services, a stronger rural healthcare workforce through recruitment and residency programs, and enhanced behavioral and mental health support. Measurable results will likely involve metrics related to increased access to care (e.g., number of new patients served, reduction in travel distances for care), improvements in health outcomes (e.g., reductions in chronic disease prevalence, improved mental health indicators), and the number of healthcare professionals recruited and retained in rural areas. The program also anticipates better coordination of nonemergency medical transportation and a reduction in health impacts on minority populations.

The City of Rockville in Maryland is offering a Community Development Block Grant Program for 2026, providing $10,000 to $100,000 for housing and community development projects benefiting low- and moderate-income households, with eligible activities including home repair, land acquisition, housing development, public facility improvements, and historic preservation, open to non-profit organizations and government entities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Maryland schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to enhance environmental education and engage students in hands-on learning experiences that promote environmental stewardship.

This funding opportunity supports Maryland-based public and nonprofit organizations in their efforts to engage communities and implement projects that protect and restore local natural resources, particularly in the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays.