Maryland Business and Commerce Grants

This program provides funding to Maryland-based businesses, nonprofits, and agricultural entities for energy efficiency projects and improvements that go beyond current standards.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofits and community organizations in Baltimore to implement projects that enhance heritage tourism and improve neighborhood quality of life through activities like signage, beautification, and revitalization planning.

The Town of Bladensburg is seeking applications for its Community Grant Program. Donor Name: Town of Bladensburg State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/03/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: For the purpose of this section, an “operating grant” shall provide support for the day-to-day costs of running the non-profit organization. A “capital grant” shall provide funds to nonprofit organizations to purchase equipment and related supplies or to make capital improvements (renovations, remodeling, etc.).  Subject to the availability of funds, the Town will consider funding an operating and/or capital grant to a non-profit organization with an application submission that meets one of the following criteria:  Provides services that sustain and empower youth, families, and individuals to move towards an improved quality of life and self-sufficiency.  Provides programs that preserve and enhance a community’s character; Provides programs that contribute to a vibrant economy; or  Promotes programs that are integral to community revitalization, economic development, and environmental sustainability Funding Information Limited funding available, maximum grant funding available per requesting applicant will be up to $2,000 based on the final FY24 approved budget. Qualification Criteria Applicant shall have the administrative and financial capacity to carry out the project successfully and shall be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Taxation;  The project shall help meet the criteria outlined in paragraph B of this section;  The applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed activity shall provide maximum public benefit in relation to cost and  The applicant shall demonstrate the ability to leverage additional funds. Required Documents The following documents are required and must be included in all applications:  Federal Tax-exempt IRS determination letter: Copy of most recent IRS determination letter under Section 501 (c) (3) indicating evidence of tax-exempt status.  Good Standing Status: Include the most recent copy (2017) of the organization’s general entity information showing that it is currently in good standing with the State Department of Assessment & Taxation (SDAT) 3. Articles of Incorporation: Include a copy of the Articles of Incorporation.  Organizations’ Bylaws: Please include a copy of your organizational bylaws. Board of Directors: Please list all board members and terms.  Mission Statement – Include the organization’s Mission Statement.  Copy of the last audit or financial statements—If audited financials are unavailable, please provide a copy of the organization’s most recent IRS 990 tax return.  Organization budget for the current year: Provide a copy of the most recent budget, including income, expenses, and debts.  Form-W9: Signed request for Taxpayer’s Identification Number and Certification. Insurance Requirement: Proof of Insurance.  Letter of Support: Include at least one (1) Letter of Support with an original signature from a community group, PTA/PTO, or church located within the radius as evidence of community need. For more information, visit Town of Bladensburg.

Name of Funding Organization: Cecil County, Maryland Contact Information: Not provided in the input Grant Program: FY24 Cecil County Route 40 Revitalization Grant Program Intent: The grant aims to assist businesses and organizations located along the Route 40 corridor in Cecil County, Maryland to improve their exterior visual appearance and function. The goal is to enhance the overall visual appearance and increase utilization of these businesses and organizations. Award Details: The maximum award per grant application is $25,000. Grant funds are intended to be used for exterior improvement projects visible from Route 40. Up to 20% of the grant funds may be used for specified interior improvements with prior approval. All funding is contingent upon funding from the State of Maryland and approval of Cecil County Council. Eligibility: Businesses and organizations, both for-profit and non-profit, located within Cecil County along the Route 40 corridor with a Route 40/Pulaski Highway address are eligible to apply. Applicants must be in good standing with the IRS, State of Maryland, and Cecil County. Other Relevant Information: - Applicants must match the funds they are applying for. - Project designs must be approved by Cecil County Government. - Demolition of derelict structures visible from Route 40 will be considered. - Disbursement of grant funding will only be made on a reimbursement basis. - Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting January 1, 2024. - Grant funds must be expended by June 30, 2024. Eligible Activities: Signage, Lighting, Roofing, Siding, Painting, Entrance, Porch/Deck, Fencing, Landscaping/Hardscaping, Sidewalks, Driveway, Parking, ADA Ramp, Demolition Ineligible Activities: Improvements to primary residence, Interior renovations, Improvements not visible from Route 40, Trash Removal Project Evaluation: The Grant Review Committee will evaluate applications based on criteria such as completeness, enhanced visual appearance from Route 40, stability of business/organization, positive impact on the business and community, clear explanation of how grant funds will be used, adherence to maximum limit of $25,000, identification of matching funds sources, preference

The Montgomery County Office of Grants Management is accepting applications for its 2025 School-Based Food Assistance Grant Program to support programs that increase food security for students and their families and are co-located at an MCPS school site. Donor Name: Montgomery County Office of Grants Management State: Maryland County: Montgomery County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/26/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Funding may be awarded to new initiatives or expansion or continuation of programs at current or additional sites. All awarded programs through the FY25 School-Based Food Assistance Grant Program must:  Demonstrate past experience with successful operation of school-based food assistance programs in partnership with MCPS;  Describe a quickly actionable program model for services at new school(s); and  Identify potential zip codes, capacity, resource needs, and format for expanded services. Funding Information $1,250,000 in total grant funding is available to support programs that increase food security for students and their families and are co-located at an MCPS school site. The minimum award that applicants may request is $40,000 and maximum award is $300,000. Final award amounts may be lower than $40,000. The performance period for these grant awards is anticipated to be on/about August 15, 2024 to on/about June 30, 2025. Funding Priorities The goal of this program is to support projects that address critical gaps in healthy food access for children and families and/or that offer innovative approaches to co-locate food assistance at an MCPS school site. OFSR is partnering with MCPS representatives to identify the school sites that will be prioritized for support based on the level of need within the school community and anticipated impact of new or expanded school-based food assistance programming.  Applicants will provide details within the Strategy Narrative regarding the scope of services they are capable of providing, and successful applicants will be asked to serve specific MCPS schools that have been identified based on alignment of individual school’s needs with providers’ current programs, experience, and capacity. Awardees will be matched with one or multiple school(s) following the grant review period; the school match(es) will be indicated in grant agreements.  The range of programming allowed under this grant is intentionally very flexible. Examples of project models that will be considered for funding include, but are not limited to: Choice pantry at the school site, offering school community members a choice model with access to a variety of culturally relevant, healthy shelf-stable and fresh food items including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and eggs; Pre-packed box/bag distribution for students that includes healthy, locally sourced produce options; Delivery of nutritious, medically and/or preference-tailored prepared meals to school populations with unique needs; and Grocery Gift Cards distributed to school families that allow for flexible food purchasing and delivery options for families that experience transportation or other barriers to food access. Target Population  For students and families that rely on school meals and/or face barriers to food access related to transportation or otherwise, an in-school pantry or at-school food distribution can help to address nutrition insecurity and provide convenient access to necessary resources. The FY25 School-Based Food Assistance Grant Program will award funding to initiatives that will support food access at MCPS school sites throughout the County.” Eligibility Criteria  Lead applicants may only submit one application, and must meet all of the following conditions:  The organization must be a food assistance provider based in Montgomery County that has provided food assistance services over the past calendar year in at least one MCPS site, as demonstrated through attached documentation (ex: email documentation, formal contract or Memorandum of Understanding, or signed letter of support from an administrator at the school site); The organization must be currently registered and in Good Standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT); The organization’s principal place of business must be located in Montgomery County; if a national or regional organization, it must have a location in Montgomery County through which it provides related services;  All activities and expenditures under this grant program must be provided in Montgomery County and/or be exclusively for Montgomery County residents; The proposed project in the application must not exclude any potential beneficiaries and/or participants based on their race, ethnicity, gender, or any other protected class; Current Montgomery County contract or grant award winners must be current on all reporting obligations for other awards and those reports must reflect substantial progress towards the goals of their awards; and Proposed expenses must be for a new activity, expansion of existing activities, or a combination of both. Grant funding cannot be used for any purchase which has already been made; purchases or activities unnecessary to accomplish grant purposes as determined by Montgomery County; prior obligations of and/or fines;debts and penalties imposed on the grantee; lobbying expenses; alcoholic beverages; or supplanting (replacing) other funds. For more information, visit MCOGM.

This grant provides financial support to businesses in Takoma Park for capital improvements and renovations to help them establish, grow, or enhance their operations.

The City of Hyattsville Vandalism Prevention Grants Program is intended to provide economic relief to small businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations in Hyattsville that have been negatively impacted by vandalism. Donor Name: City of Hyattsville State: Maryland City: Hyattsville Type of Grant: Grant | Reimbursement Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The $15,000 fund, paid for through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)fund helps small businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations cover the costs associated with eligible repairs to their small business or non-profit organization after a vandalism incident. The City of Hyattsville Security Grants Program will consider funding requests for the following programs: Vandalism Prevention Grant Funding Eligibility: Up to $2,000 per business or non-profit organization Funds can only be used as a reimbursement for eligible security measures acquired between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024. Funding Information The Vandalism Prevention Grant has $15,000 available, split between two grants. The Vandalism Recovery Prevention Grant is reimbursement grant. The following are the maximum applicable awards for each funding category: Vandalism Prevention Grant: $2,000. Vandalism Prevention Grant Funding for the Vandalism Prevention Grant can only be used for eligible security measures that were added to a property between July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2024. An eligible security measure is: security camera(s) and recording equipment; shatterproof glass and protective film(s); lock enhancement(s); exterior lighting enhancement(s); alarm and monitoring system(s); anti-graffiti film(s), paint(s) or coating(s) Recipients of the Vandalism Prevention Grant are not obligated to replace the item if it is damaged and/or destroyed. Eligibility Criteria  The grant program is only open to small businesses and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations located within the City of Hyattsville. For the purposes of this program, a small business is defined as a business with fewer than 50 employees; with at least $1,000 but not more than $5 million in annual revenues; that is independently owned and operated; and is not dominant in its field of operation. Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility for the grant program. Franchise owners are eligible to apply. These grants are not open to private residences, landlords or multifamily residential properties. For more information, visit City of Hyattsville.

This grant provides funding to individuals and organizations in Hyattsville to create community-driven initiatives that promote healthy lifestyles, such as healthy eating, active living, and public awareness campaigns.

This grant provides financial support to small for-profit businesses in central Maryland that are BGE customers, helping them grow and better serve their communities.

This grant provides funding for community organizations and local governments to engage in environmental outreach, education, and restoration projects aimed at improving water quality and ecological health in the Jones Falls watershed of Maryland.

The Creative Howard grant program is offered by the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) to support small nonprofit arts organizations and arts businesses in Howard County, Maryland. The program aims to strengthen the vitality of the arts community and provide funding for eligible activities. Grants of up to $2,500 are available, and there is no matching fund requirement. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit arts organizations or arts businesses located and operating in Howard County for at least one year with an operating revenue of $100,000 or less. The program supports a wide range of arts activities, including dance, design, folk and traditional arts, history exhibits, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual arts, and workshops. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis with a deadline of the first day of each month at 11:59 PM. The grant period for FY24 is from September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Applicants may receive funding for only one application per fiscal year. The application process must be completed online using the Submittable platform. A final report is required within 15 business days after the funded project occurs.

This grant provides financial assistance to businesses in Takoma Park for enhancing their storefronts, promoting a vibrant commercial environment.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government units to promote and expand Maryland's craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries, while enhancing tourism and local agricultural use.

This grant provides funding to Recovery Residence Providers in Anne Arundel County to install fire suppression systems, ensuring safety and compliance with state certification requirements.

This program provides financial assistance to Maryland-based businesses, non-profits, and farms to enhance their energy efficiency beyond existing standards.

This grant provides financial support to various agricultural entities in Howard County, Maryland, for projects that enhance, sustain, or educate about agricultural practices.

The Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR), in partnership with the Office of Grants Management (OGM), is soliciting grant applications for the County’s 2025 Community Food Assistance Program. Donor Name: Montgomery County Office of Grants Management State: Maryland County: Montgomery County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: $3,500,000 in total is available for awards of direct funding and/or shopping credits to order food for distribution of shelf-stable, fresh food, and/or prepared meals to Montgomery County residents. The goal of these funds is to provide continuity of existing critical community food assistance services, while also closing service gaps, enhancing program impact, standardizing data collection, providing greater flexibility and transparency in funding processes, and strengthening the capacity of the provider network and resilience of the local food system. Funding Priorities  The range of programming allowed under this grant is intentionally very flexible. Examples of project models that will be considered for funding include, but are not limited to: Choice pantry model, offering participants a choice model with access to a variety of culturally relevant, healthy shelf-stable and fresh food items including fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, and eggs; Pre-packed box/bag distribution that includes healthy, locally sourced produce options; or Delivery and/or distribution of nutritious, medically and/or preference-tailored prepared meals to households with unique needs. Funding Information The minimum award that applicants may request is $5,000 and the maximum award is $300,000. Final award amounts may be lower than $5,000. The performance period for these grant awards is one year (anticipated to be on/about October 15, 2024 to October 15, 2025).  Eligibility Criteria  Applicant organizations must meet all of the following conditions: Be a non-profit food assistance provider that has provided regularly scheduled, uninterrupted food assistance services at least: once per month, at one consistent site, for a minimum of two years.  Organizations designated as Service Consolidation Hubs in partnership with the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services are not eligible to apply;  Provide a Letter of Support from organizational leadership or partner(s) confirming commitment to allow use of all key physical infrastructure assets and/or resources (storage space, packing or distribution location, vehicles, etc.) outlined in the proposal for the entire grant period; Be currently registered and in Good Standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT);  The organization’s principal place of business for delivering these services must be located in Montgomery County; if a national or regional organization, it must have a location in Montgomery County through which it provides related services; and  Be in compliance with all reporting obligations and performance requirements for other County grants and procurement contracts. For more information, visit MCOGM.

The Community Engagement Cluster and the Office of Grants Management are soliciting grant applications under the County’s FY 2024 Place-Based Management Grants Program from qualified organizations that support economic growth and revitalization initiatives across the County’s commercial corridors, both nascent and established. Donor Name: Montgomery County Office of Grants Management State: Maryland County: Montgomery County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The focus of the grants program is to enhance bottom-up economic development efforts serving residents and businesses by using Place-Based Management strategies aligned with the Main Street Approach. Generally, activities are envisioned to fall into the following two categories: Provision of assistance to commercial areas to retain, expand, and attract neighborhood-serving retail and other small businesses; and Unification and strengthening of commercial corridors through events, promotion, marketing, maintenance, and diverse stakeholder engagements. All activities are required to actively engage with stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and the Montgomery County Government. Funding Priorities Priority in awarding funding will be given to projects which provide services or meet needs that fall under at least three of the four points of the Main Street Approach: Economic Vitality focuses on capital, incentives, and other economic and financial tools to assist new and existing businesses, catalyze property development, and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurs and innovators that drive local economies. Design supports a community’s transformation by enhancing the physical and visual assets that set the commercial district apart. Promotion positions the downtown or commercial district as the center of the community and hub of economic activity, while creating a positive image that showcases a community’s unique characteristics. Organization involves creating a strong foundation for a sustainable revitalization effort, including cultivating partnerships, community involvement, and resources for the district. Funding Information Montgomery County Government anticipates awarding $400,000 through approximately two to five awards. It is anticipated that each grant award may range between $25,000 and $200,000. The final amount will be dependent upon grant activities and final negotiation and may be lower or higher than the range. The duration of any grant award under this solicitation is expected to be 12 months with possibility for renewal for up to three total years contingent on satisfactory performance and funds availability Eligible Expenses  Eligible expenses under this grants program include operating costs defined as costs that support ongoing expenditures associated with projects. Illustrative operating expenses include but are not limited to: Administrative expenses to fund a Program Manager and support staff Community or business outreach Implementation of neighborhood economic development activities Neighborhood place making and place management. Target Populations The target populations for this grant are businesses and residents of the identified commercial corridor. Eligibility Criteria  Applicants must meet all the following conditions: The organization must have a Federal 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6) tax-exempt status or be a collaboration between two or more entities with at least one having this status; The organization must be currently registered and in Good Standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT); All activities and expenditures under this grant program must be provided in Montgomery County OR be exclusively for Montgomery County residents if activities and expenditures occur outside of the County; Current Montgomery County contract or grant award winners must be current on all reporting obligations for other awards and those reports must reflect substantial progress towards the goals of their awards; Proposed expenses must be for a new activity, expansion of existing activities, or a combination of both. County funding cannot be used to supplant other funding for already planned activities; Applicants may only submit one application per organization under this NOFO; Organizations that were funded under this program last year are eligible to apply. If submitting a multi-year application, please note that FY23 counts as Year 1. As such, they may submit applications that request funding for up to two more years. For more information, visit Montgomery County Office of Grants Management.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program funds projects that develop the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers about sustainable agriculture practices to teach, advise or assist farmers. Donor Name: Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 4 Years Details: An agricultural service provider is a professional who assists farmers. Projects that develop the ability of other service providers (for example, real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys) to work with farmers are also eligible. These service providers then use what they’ve learned through participation in project activities in their work with farmers. A wide variety of topics can be funded by Northeast SARE, including marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture and much more. Other aspects of projects funded through the Northeast SARE program include those that address climate-smart agriculture practices intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change; increase carbon sequestration; and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Climate-smart practices include reduced and no-till, cover crops, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. In addition, projects may address traditional ecological knowledge. Funding Information Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000. Project Duration Typical project length is 2 to 3 years. The maximum project length allowed is 3.5 years. Geographical Focus  The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. Eligibility Criteria  Professional Development Grants are open to anyone who works with service providers and farmers, including personnel at nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, municipalities, tribal governments, state departments of agriculture, federal agencies, research farms and experiment stations, and for-profit business entities (such as farms, private consultants, veterinary practices and other businesses that serve the farming community). Northeast SARE encourages projects submitted from or in collaboration with women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, they encourage projects submitted from or in collaboration with Minority Serving Institutions (including 1890s and other historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and tribal colleges and universities) and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities. Your organization must have the legal structure and financial capacity to receive and implement a Northeast SARE contract, including expending funds needed for the project prior to receiving reimbursements from Northeast SARE; advance payments are not possible. Projects must take place within the Northeast region. Applicants and host organizations may be located outside of the Northeast region if the project activities and the farmers served are located within the Northeast region. For more information, visit Northeast SARE.

This grant provides funding to property owners, agricultural businesses, and non-profits for the rehabilitation and preservation of historic properties in the unincorporated areas of Frederick County, Maryland.