Maryland Business and Commerce Grants

The City of Takoma Park’s Food Insecurity Reduction Grants provide financial support to specific programs, projects, and events that reduce or prevent food insecurity among residents of Takoma Park. Donor Name: City of Takoma Park State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: Funding Information The City’s FY25 budget allocates $155,000 in ARPA funding for Food Insecurity Reduction Grants. Grant awards will range from $10,000-$30,000 for the 15-month period beginning October 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2025.  Eligibility Criteria Funding is available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and 501(c)(6) business associations. The use of a fiscal agent is permitted for those organizations that have applied for but have not yet secured their 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. Individuals and for-profit enterprises are not eligible for funding. For more information, visit City of Takoma Park.

This grant provides opportunities for professional Maryland-based performing artists and groups to gain visibility and support for touring performances across the state.

This grant provides financial support to arts and humanities organizations, individual artists, and scholars in Montgomery County, MD, to engage the Wheaton community through diverse cultural projects and activities.

The Business Development Grant Program is to promote economic development aimed at creating new job opportunities, filling vacant store fronts, and encouraging diversification, additional private sector investment and in-fill business development. Donor Name: Town of Perryville State: Maryland County: Cecil County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program will provide existing and new small businesses with funds necessary to meet operational needs and remain financially viable. Eligible Use of funds Building improvements, purchase of machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, inventory, the purchase or leasing of property, advertising campaigns, and other costs associated with opening or expanding a business. Eligibility Criteria  Applicant must be a new/existing business owner within the corporate limits of the Town of Perryville. If applicant is not the property owner (i.e. tenant), written permission must be given by property owner for building improvement application requests. Applicant and property must not have any current zoning or other Code violations and be in good standing (current on all monies owed, such as, but not limited to, taxes, water & sewer bills, trader’s license) with the Town of Perryville, Cecil County and the State of Maryland. Business must be located in the following zoning districts: Neighborhood Business (NB), Town Center (TC), Highway Commercial (C2), Residential Marine (RM), Commercial Maritime (CM-1 & 2). Eligibility within the R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential districts shall be limited to existing businesses only. Applicants must be one of the following for profit entities: sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, cooperative or LLC. For more information, visit Town of Perryville.

​The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides funding to assist Maryland’s designated and affiliate Main Street Maryland communities and Baltimore City’s designated Main Street neighborhoods in building capacity to achieve their community revitalization and economic development goals in designated Sustainable Community areas​ throughout the state. Donor Name: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development State: Maryland City: Baltimore Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Eligible Activities Grants can be used for staff and consultant services, general operating expenses, market and business recruitment strategies to improve a business district, street furniture, advertising, façade improvements and other projects that have been identified in the applicant’s work plans as key to its Main Street efforts. The project and/or activities that funds are being requested for should support the goals and outcomes of the applicant’s annual work plan and contribute to the transformation strategy of the community. All projects and/or activities should be completed within one year; a funding match is not required. Who Can Apply​ Only the 34 designated and 9 affiliate Main Street Maryland communities and 8 Baltimore City’s designated Main Street neighborhoods are eligible to request Main Street Improvement Program funds. Main Street Improvement Program (MIP) Grant awards are allocated funds that are distributed in equal amounts to designated Main Street Maryland, participating Main Street Maryland Affiliates and designated Baltimore City Main Street neighborhoods as follows: Designed Main Street Maryland Communities: expected to be $25,000 each. Main Street Maryland Affiliates: expected to be $10,000 each. Baltimore City Main Street Neighborhoods: expected to be $8,000 each. For more information, visit DHCD.

This program provides financial assistance to Maryland businesses producing cement or concrete mixes to help them create and verify Environmental Product Declarations that detail the environmental impacts of their products.

The Recovery Friendly Workplace Pilot Program, launched by the Maryland Department of Labor, aims to create a supportive environment for employees recovering from substance use disorders. The program encourages employers to adopt workplace policies that assist in employee recovery, provides stigma-reducing education, and facilitates research on recovery-friendly practices. It seeks to promote workplace well-being and recovery for employees and their families while fostering community awareness.

Grants are available through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to support initiatives aimed at enhancing the livability and economic potential of communities in Maryland. The Community Safety Works grant opportunities are designed to make targeted investments in crime prevention that will contribute to improving community safety. Community Health and Safety Works ​​​​​Overview​ The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers Community Health and Safety Works grant opportunities to improve the livability and economic potential of Maryland communities through targeted investments in the physical environment that impact health and safety. Who Can Apply Eligible Applicants: 501c3 Nonprofits and Local Governments. Eligible Activities: Awards will be competitive in the four categories below. Applicants may apply only once in each category. Projects should be located in Baltimore City or within designated Sustainable Communities Areas​ elsewhere in the state. Community Placemaking: Collaborations that engage artists and designers to create lovable spaces for community use. Communities will be asked to engage artists and/or designers to facilitate community engagement and project design and implementation. Grants up to $100,000. Environmental Health and Justice: Collaborations to eliminate predatory and unhealthy practices such as illegal dumping, litter and traffic hazards and address urban heat islands and other conditions related to climate change. Grants up to $100,000. Crime and Violence Prevention and Intervention: Collaborations to remove illegal and dangerous activities from communities in one of two ways: Grants up to $100,000 for lighting and camera surveillance strategies and related community safety services. Grants up to $250,000 for place-based comprehensive outreach and case management services that directly connect at-risk individuals to safe, restorative pathways. Technical Assistance for CHSW Initiatives: Individual and teams of nonprofit providers that will provide project design and implementation support to the awardees of CHSW project funding. Nonprofit applicants must be Maryland-based and have a record of assistance to community-driven projects. Grants up to $100,000 for nonprofit providers to assist multiple CHSW projects. How to Apply The FY24 application is expected to open in January 2024. More Information Eric Borchers ​​Project Manager ​​Division of Neighborhood Revitalization ​​Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development ​​2 North Charles Street, Suite 450 ​​Baltimore, Maryland 21201 ​​E: [email protected]

The Main Street Business Relocation Grant Program in Maryland, offered by the City of Laurel, aims to support the success and growth of businesses in the Main Street business area while creating local job opportunities. To be eligible, applicants must have a pre-application meeting with a representative from the Department of Economic and Community Development. Once deemed eligible, applicants can submit a completed application along with preliminary plans that adhere to design guidelines and code requirements. It's important to note that any improvements made prior to application approval and agreement execution are not eligible for reimbursement.

ACCESS GRANTED is a grant initiative aimed at supporting and empowering small minority and/or women-owned businesses in Frederick, Maryland. The program targets both start-ups and established businesses needing capital for specific projects that will promote business growth. The City of Frederick has allocated $400,000 for these grants, as part of the American Rescue Plan Act's State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA-SLFRF). Eligible businesses can apply for up to $40,000 to cover project costs such as equipment, renovations, inventory, professional services, marketing, and more. The goal is to enhance revenue, profitability, and business opportunities without replacing lost revenues. The application process for ACCESS GRANTED opens on July 15, 2024, and closes on August 12, 2024. Applications will be reviewed competitively, with awards distributed by early fall 2024. To be eligible, businesses must be registered for-profit entities in Maryland, in good standing, and have no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees. Preferences will be given to minority and women-owned businesses located within The City of Frederick. Award recipients must submit interim and final reports on the project's impact.

The Town of Chesapeake City is happy to announce that applications are now available to property owners for the Façade Improvement Grant. Donor Name: Town of Chesapeake City State: Maryland City: Chesapeake City Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Façade Improvement Program supports exterior facade projects to recover and promote the integrity of the buildings and improve the visual characteristics of the community. The Chesapeake City Façade Improvement Program is funded by the State of Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Community Legacy Program. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, the following list: Fascia and soffit replacement/repair Door and window replacement/repair Porch and step replacement/repair Painting Masonry repair Repointing of Masonry facades Removal of historically inappropriate and/or incompatible exterior features and finishes. Installation of historically appropriate and/or compatible features and finishes. Funding Information The maximum grant award per property is $10,000.00 Eligibility Criteria Property Owner (Applicant) must apply for the grant. Applications must be submitted in person or via U.S. Postal Service. Projects are limited to exterior façade improvements. Applicant must use licensed home improvement contractors for all work. Work involving lead and asbestos removal require MDE certified contractors. A copy of the contractor’s home improvement license/certification(s) must be included with the application. (Business license is not an acceptable substitution.) Applicants are encouraged to provide a contribution toward the project. Contributions can be monetary, materials, and/or labor. (In the instance of material or labor, documentation will be required to verify the contribution value). Applicants that indicate a contribution will be responsible for the amount indicated which will be deducted by the Town of Chesapeake City from monetary disbursement. For more information, visit Town of Chesapeake City.

The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) provides grants to rural-serving nonprofit organizations that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education. Donor Name: Rural Maryland Council State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year Details: Also eligible are rural community colleges that provide enhanced training and technical assistance to support agricultural and small businesses. The Fund’s goal is to increase the overall capacity of rural-serving nonprofit organizations and community colleges to meet a multitude of rural development challenges and to help them establish new public/private partnerships for leveraging non-state sources of funding. The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) serves as the administrative agency in receiving the applications and disbursing the grants to the successful applicants. Funding Information For Fiscal Year 2025, the State has budgeted $878,964 in General Funds for the MAERDAF program. However, grant awards are subject to funding availability. The maximum grant amount is $45,000. For Fiscal Year 2025, the RMC, as the administrative agent, is encouraging applications that address the following: Agriculture & Forestry Agricultural Education Regional Food System Development Forest Industry Development Energy Combined Heat Power Energy Efficiency Biomass Rural Broadband Rural Broadband Expansion Efforts, including municipal broadband Digital Inclusion Programs Youth Engagement & Leadership Development Career Technology Centers Youth Enrichment Programs, including summer programming Economic Development Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development Education & Workforce Development Regional Marketing Efforts & Tourism Projects Community Development Rural Transportation Housing repairs Housing counseling Poverty Alleviation Efforts. Grant Period August 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Rural Counties  State-determined rural counties are Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester. Regional projects may include non-rural counties but the majority of service must be provided in rural areas. Eligible Expenditures MAERDAF does not generally fund ongoing staff positions due to sustainability. Grant funds may be used to fund staff time associated with the completion of the proposed project only. Construction and renovation of buildings are eligible expenses. Acquisition of land is not. Please include quotes of expenditures and be shovel-ready. The purchase or rental of vehicles are eligible expenses. Meals are allowable if the costs are reasonable and a justification is provided that such activity maintains the continuity of the meeting and to do otherwise will impose arduous conditions on the meeting participants. Indirect administrative costs are capped at 10%. Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) IRS tax designation or similar and serve a regional or statewide rural constituency. Trade associations are not eligible. Community Colleges, Career Technology Centers, Regional Councils, and Libraries are eligible applicants. The applicant does not have to be located in a rural area or in the area it serves. For more information, visit RMC.

The City of Takoma Park’s Community Quality of Life Grants Program provides financial support for specific programs, projects, and events that improve the quality of life for City residents by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences. Donor Name: City of Takoma Park State: Maryland City: Takoma Park Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Funding Information Grant awards will range from $5,000-$10,000. All funded projects must be completed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. Beneficiaries of eligible projects must satisfy these requirements: At least 75% of the participants must be residents of the City of Takoma Park. At least 51% of participants must be from low-to-moderate income households defined as 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Eligible Grant Uses Eligible projects will fall into one of these three categories: Arts and Humanities (A&H) programs, projects, and events; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs, projects, and events; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) programs, projects, and events. Eligibility Criteria Funding is available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and 501(c)(6) business associations. The use of a fiscal agent is permitted for those organizations that have applied for but have not yet secured their 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. Individuals and for-profit enterprises are not eligible for funding. For more information, visit City of Takoma Park.

The City of Mount Rainier is seeking applications for its Recreation Activities Grants to support community activities to enhance the community as a whole. Donor Name: City of Mount Rainier State: Maryland City: Mount Rainier Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/20/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: In support of that belief, the City Council established a Recreation Activities Grant for Fiscal Year 2024. The grant provides reimbursement of eligible expenses to organizations who wish to hold programs, activities, and events. These programs must be open to residents within the corporate boundaries of the City of Mount Rainier and promote enhanced community engagement. Funding Information The maximum Recreation Activities Grant award per organization for Fiscal Year 2024 will be $2,500. Organizations Ineligible for this Grant Program Any organization receiving another direct or beneficial grant from the City of Mount Rainier during this fiscal year. Any for-profit business or organization. Restrictions City funds may not be used for the purchase of alcoholic beverages. Cost of City permits will be waived for this grant. All applicable laws and regulations will apply to events funded by City grants, including but not limited to: Prince George’s County Health Department food service rules and regulations. City noise ordinance limits Fire Prevention Code regulations (e.g., building occupancy capacity, open flame prohibitions/rules, fireworks prohibitions) If feasible, purchases should be made from businesses located within City limits. Location All events/projects must take place within the corporate boundaries of the City of Mount Rainier (except for away games). The preferred locations of community events include neighborhood parks (permits may be required from Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission), public or private parking lots (with owner’s written permission), or public or private open space (with owner’s permission). For more information, visit City of Mount Rainier.

This program provides financial support to farms and agricultural businesses in Garrett County, Maryland, to enhance their marketing efforts and boost local agricultural economic activity.

Access Granted is a grant initiative designed to support and empower small minority and/or women owned businesses. Donor Name: City of Frederick State: Maryland City: Frederick Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program is available to both start-up and established businesses in need of capital for a defined project that will grow 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.

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is offering another round of farmer mini grants. Donor Name: Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission State: Maryland County: Anne Arundel County (MD), Calvert County (MD), Charles County (MD), Prince Georges County (MD), Saint Marys County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/08/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: The Farmer Mini-Grant program was established by SMADC in 2016 based on feedback heard from the farming community about their needs. SMADC’s mission is to support farms and the future of agriculture in Southern Maryland, and they are committed to expanding and promoting a viable market-driven, sustainable, and profitable agricultural farming community. Funding Information For this 11th round of grants in Spring 2024 $60,000 of funding is available. The projects should be simple in scope and must be successfully completed within one year. SMADC awards will be up to $3,000 per applicant and are a one-to-one dollar match by the farmer. Eligible Projects  Examples of Projects that would be considered: Services or equipment that help transition a farm’s sales strategy such as online sales, home delivery, on-farm sales, etc.; or for other projects that allow farm business to maintain and/or expand sales. Purchase of foundation livestock. Purchase of plant stock. Marketing and promotion of current farm operation. New fencing for enhancement, expansion, or protection. Hoop house. Materials needed for value-added production. Materials needed for on-farm upgrades to enhance food safety. Irrigation installation or upgrades in regard to GAP certification standards, Food Safety Modernization Act Standards (FSMA), chlorination systems, water testing expenses, drip irrigation, greenhouse irrigation, dedicated agricultural water supply, and overhead irrigation, as pertains to current existing wells or water sources. Washing/packing stations. Freezer/Refrigeration. Eligibility Criteria  Does not include non-profits or community organizations. Both Urban and Rural farms are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be living in the State of Maryland and actively farming in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, or St. Mary’s counties. Youth (16 years and older) who are in or have been in FFA, 4-H, agricultural related programs, or classes, or have a farming background are encouraged to apply. The applicant must match funds awarded dollar to dollar. For example, if the applicant is awarded $500, they must put $500 toward the project budget. Matching must be in dollars, not in-kind or labor. No more than one application is awarded per individual or business entity during a 12-month period. Only completed applications with all applicable supporting documentation attached will be considered. For more information, visit SMADC.

This program provides funding to Maryland-based organizations and businesses to develop educational and training initiatives that prepare the workforce for careers in the offshore wind industry.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) announces the availability of funds through the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects throughout the Northeast. Donor Name: Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The goal of this program is to help develop competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability, supporting operations of all sizes in successfully launching and sustaining their products in the marketplace.  This program is for:  Dairy farmers ready to begin processing,  Value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing and/or value-added business startups, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market, or  Dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in the start-up phase of business development. Funds are intended to support start-up operations, focusing on tangible implementation rather than research and development, concept development, or initial planning. Funding Information Total available funds: $500,000 Minimum: $15,000  Maximum: $75,000 Project Period Grant periods will range from 12 – 18 months, depending on the project.  Eligibility Criteria This grant is open to applicants from all Northeast states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:  Dairy farmer that:  Produces milk within the Northeast  Is a licensed dairy operation in compliance with all required state and federal standards  Value-added business entrepreneur that meets the following requirements:  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components  Has a business entity prior to applying  Can demonstrate experience in dairy processing and/or related value-added business startup, including any relevant work experience, business ventures, products developed, and products brought to market  Dairy processor established after January 1, 2023 that:  Has a business entity and milk processing license prior to applying  Sources milk or dairy components from within the Northeast and has evidence of a committed partnership with a farm or processor for sourcing these components.  Is in the start-up phase of business operations All applicants must also:  Be headquartered or based in the Northeast  Provide Proof of Concept demonstrating the viability of the business idea and product  Have a plan for new value-added dairy processing that includes market research, financial projections, a branding and marketing strategy, and a facility location  Obtain licenses to sell dairy products across state lines by the end of the grant period Launch their products in the marketplace or have a Letter of Commitment from a buyer, distributor, or retailer indicating plans to sell the product by the end of the grant period For more information, visit NE-DBIC.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.