Maryland Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides $10,000 grants to new small businesses in Laurel, Maryland, to support their growth and job creation within the local economy.

This program provides financial support to businesses opening or expanding in Takoma Park, helping cover costs for improvements, fit-outs, or lease subsidies.

This program provides financial support for essential improvements to commercial buildings in The City of Frederick, targeting small businesses, including those owned by minorities and women, as well as businesses involved in neighborhood revitalization or recovery from disasters.

This program provides financial support to small and mid-sized businesses in Maryland to help cover costs associated with international marketing efforts.

This grant provides funding for Baltimore-based organizations to transform vacant lots into safe, accessible green spaces using community engagement and crime prevention strategies.

This program provides funding for events that raise awareness about the restoration and protection of natural resources in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's watersheds, targeting nonprofits and community organizations.

This funding initiative provides financial support to local communities in the Appalachian Region for projects that enhance critical infrastructure and promote business and workforce development.

This program provides funding to Maryland wood products businesses for acquiring specialized equipment or improving facilities, aimed at boosting job creation and market growth in the forestry sector.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses with five or fewer employees in Hagerstown, aimed at promoting job creation and economic growth for low- to moderate-income residents.

This initiative provides funding to support large-scale economic development projects across the Appalachian region, focusing on workforce development, business growth, infrastructure improvements, and community capacity building.

This program provides financial assistance to retail and food-based businesses relocating to vacant storefronts in Laurel's Main Street area, helping to cover costs associated with their move and promote a vibrant downtown.

This funding opportunity supports innovative research projects by faculty at the University of Maryland and its partner institutions, aimed at developing impactful healthcare solutions and technologies.

In an imaginative new program designed to stimulate the revenue growth of underrepresented artists and makers in Frederick County, Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) proudly presents the Creative Capital Microgrant Program, in partnership with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED). Donor Name: Maryland Women’s Business Center State: Maryland County: Frederick County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Creative Capital Microgrant (CCM) Program offers a financial microgrant of up to $1,000 to qualified businesses in creative industries to support specific projects that use traditional business practices—such as marketing, social media, and online sales platforms—to accelerate a short-term return on investment and can be replicated for ongoing growth. A CCM Review Committee has been established to review applications and select grantees based on their eligibility, overall business assessment, evaluation of proposed project, and the ability to replicate it for future revenue. The program aligns with MWBC’s and FCOED’s strategy to support underrepresented business owners through projects that support Frederick’s vision for small business and economic development: Generating additional revenue, with an emphasis on traditionally under-employed populations Retaining and expanding local business services Supporting business-to-community engagement Establishing a foundation for future business success Creating a social impact. Project Eligibility To be eligible, CCM projects must yield a short-term return on investment and be replicable for future business growth. These include but are not limited to: Marketing initiatives with a call to action Social media setup and enhancement Search engine optimization (SEO) strategies Targeted advertising on Facebook, Instagram, or Google Direct mail or drip email campaign implementation Web development, design, and/or copywriting Establishment of new sales channels, including online shopping platforms Video production Professional photography for online galleries or portfolios Promotional expenses for studio open houses or in-house shows Support for show entry fees with sales opportunities Branding and logo design or redesign. Program Eligibility To be considered for the CCM Program, prospective businesses must: Be located in Frederick County Be registered and in good standing with the State of Maryland Establish eligibility as an underrepresented community Have earned less than $55,000 of gross revenue in 2023 from the art associated with the business Applicants will have three months to complete their projects and, to further support the businesses, grant recipients will receive personalized business counseling and attend training classes designed for creative business owners. Upon conclusion of the program, will be invited to participate in a community event to showcase their work. For more information, visit Maryland Women’s Business Center.

In order to better support the businesses, the City of Hyattsville offers a Commercial Façade Improvement Program. Donor Name: City of Hyattsville State: Maryland City: Hyattsville Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program provides funding to business or property owners within the three targeted investment areas to improve their building’s façade.  The City of Hyattsville, Maryland, recognizes the positive impact that individual façade improvements can have on the overall appearance, quality, and vitality of the City’s commercial districts. The Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program was created to facilitate the private sector in making these desired exterior improvements. The City of Hyattsville Commercial Façade Improvement Program offers financial assistance to private property or business owners seeking to rehabilitate commercial building facades in the following Target Investment Areas: the West Hyattsville Transit District, the Route One/Gateway Arts District, and the Prince George’s Plaza Transit District. The primary goals of the City of Hyattsville Commercial Façade Improvement Grant Program are to remove accessibility barriers, facilitate investment, and achieve significant visual improvements in commercial facade appearance. Projects that meet the primary goals will be preferred. Funding Information The grant is a dollar-for-dollar matching grant of $5,000 – $35,000. Eligible Improvements  Grants will be awarded for well-designed façade improvements that increase the longevity of a building. The funds may be used for specific improvements including: Signage Exterior painting Storefront reconstruction Siding Exterior lighting Window and door upgrades Public-facing masonry or cornices Murals Removal of unattractive exterior finishes Roofs Other uses approved by the Program Eligibility Requirements  Existing structures currently zoned for commercial use and in current commercial use, or planned for commercial use, within the corporate limits of the City of Hyattsville are eligible for the grant. In the event that a building code compliance violation is present, correction of the violation must be made as part of the façade improvement work. Eligible applicants include the owner of a commercial building or the owner of a commercial business. Properties which are vacant at the time of award must tenant the improved space, with a permitted use, within six (6) months of the completion of the façade improvement work. All applications must be signed by the property owner to indicate consent for the proposed improvements. The determination of eligibility and priority for assistance is at the discretion of the City of Hyattsville. Work which qualifies for assistance includes improvements to the exterior of a building which are visible from the public right-of-way. Work must be completed within one year of the grant award notification. For more information, visit City of Hyattsville.

The City of Frederick is excited to announce the launch of a new grant opportunity through the Department of Economic Development. Donor Name: City of Frederick State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The grant, called “ACCESS GRANTED,” is specifically designed to support and empower small minority, and women-owned businesses. This initiative is available to both start-up and established businesses in need of access to capital for a defined project that will help scale their business. By providing this financial assistance, The City of Frederick aims to foster a supportive and inclusive business environment that enables entrepreneurs to reach their full potential.  Preferences will be given to Small minority and/or woman owned business.  Physically located within The City of Frederick limits.  Funding Information The city has earmarked $400,000 to deploy as grants for this new program.  Eligibility Criteria To be eligible, businesses must meet the following criteria:  Be a registered for-profit business.  Be in good standing in the state of Maryland.  Have no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees For more information, visit City of Frederick.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local businesses and non-profits for community-focused projects that promote public engagement, enhance public spaces, and foster economic growth in Hyattsville.

General Operating Grants support the daily operations of 501(c)3 arts agencies, and are intended to fill critical funding gaps which often limit arts organizations in paying professional staff, managing facilities or in pursuing capital improvements. Donor Name: Allegany Arts Council (AAC) State: Maryland County: Allegany County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Funding Information  Organizations are eligible to apply for a maximum of $3,500 annually and must provide a final grant report at the conclusion of the grant period. Grant Period July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025. Eligibility Requirements  Grantees must be non-profit, 501(c)3 (or eligible for IRS tax-exempt status), and based in Allegany County with programming and business conducted in Allegany County. By-laws must provide that assets do not accrue to any director, officer or member of the organization. Programs and events funded with GOG money must be open to the general public. GOG funds must be used for arts-related programming or general organizational operations. GOG funds may not be used for capital purchases, fundraising events, or social functions. Note that this is an Allegany Arts Council policy and that the Maryland State Arts Council does not match capital improvement. Programs that proselytize for specific political actions or religious beliefs are not eligible for funding. In order to stimulate rather than replace community support, a 1:1 cash match is required (i.e., GOG grant funding may not exceed 1/2 of the proposed program budget). Funds from the Maryland State Arts Council are not allowed as part of this match. In-kind or donated services are similarly ineligible to be included in the match although they should be identified on the application. Grantees must notify AAC of any major change in the program or event as described in the grant application. In the event of cancellation, or dissolution of the organization, grant funds must be returned. Grantees must comply with Title VI, Section 601, of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that no persons on the grounds of race, color or national origin shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination related to, the arts. Grantees must comply with Title IV, Section 1681, of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Section 6101, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex or age. Grantees must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 which states no otherwise qualified person shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination related to the arts. Grantees must include the phrase “Sponsored in part by the Allegany Arts Council with funds from the Maryland State Arts Council.” whenever and wherever program credit is being given. Similarly, grantees should always strive to inform, inspire and educate the local community with regard to their arts-related programming. For more information, visit AAC.

This funding initiative provides financial support to businesses and organizations along the Route 40 corridor in Cecil County, Maryland, for exterior improvements and revitalization efforts, with a special focus on removing blighted structures.

The Harford Strides Fund has $220,000 available as a temporary grant for up to two consecutive years to help tourism-related organizations, which are in the infancy stage of program development. Donor Name: Harford County Office of Economic Development State: Maryland County: Harford County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligibility Criteria  Must be a Harford County 501(c)3 or 501(c)6 in good standing with Maryland’s State Department of Assessment and Taxation AND a registered organization as a Maryland charitable organization. Must articulate successes, lessons learned, and other best practices in its business model, demonstrating how the organization is building toward a model for long-term sustainability as an easily identifiable tourism-related, collaborative program or operation that draws its audience from OUTSIDE the borders of Harford County and encourages overnight hotel stays. Must clearly articulate the intent of the applicant’s program or operations is to drive overnight hotel stays in Harford County. Must clearly document hardship that puts program or operations in jeopardy “but for County funding” and demonstrates that “but for this County contribution,” the organization would be unable to execute the program or operations as described for this year. Must clearly demonstrate the ability to pursue additional funding sources, other than Harford County Government, that support the program or event through sponsorship, another grant donor, fundraising efforts, etc. Must demonstrate a niche role in offering tourism-related program or operation. Must not have submitted an application for the Partnership Fund. For more information, visit HCOED.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in St. Mary’s County that aim to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations through culturally competent and evidence-based initiatives.