Maryland Education Grants

This grant provides funding to non-profits, schools, and government agencies to develop environmental education projects that empower students and communities to protect Chesapeake and coastal ecosystems.

The Charles County Forestry Grant Program, offered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust in partnership with Charles County, aims to implement cost-effective reforestation and afforestation projects. The program seeks to increase tree canopy, create forest habitat, improve water quality, and provide ecosystem services such as potable water and air quality. Eligible projects should be in Charles County, Maryland, and must place reforested areas under an easement for protection in perpetuity. Applicants can request up to $20,000, with typical requests being less than $4,500 per acre. Matching funds are encouraged but not required.

This funding opportunity supports the creation and expansion of community gardens in Prince George’s County to improve food security, promote sustainable practices, and engage local residents.

This program provides funding to community groups in Anne Arundel County for tree planting and invasive species removal projects that promote environmental stewardship and improve local ecosystems.

This funding opportunity supports community-led projects in Anne Arundel County that focus on planting native trees and shrubs to improve local ecosystems and address environmental issues like stormwater runoff and pollution.

This grant provides funding to state and local governments, non-profits, educational institutions, and local courts in Maryland to improve safety, permanency, and well-being for children in the foster care system.

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is excited to aanounce the 2025 Sharing Prince George Grants. Donor Name: Greater Washington Community Foundation State: Maryland County: Prince Georges County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Sharing Prince George’s Fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation has supported high-impact nonprofits serving Prince George’s County’s most vulnerable residents. They are proud of the ways these organizations have responded to the community’s needs and worked in partnership toward the shared vision for a more equitable, just, and thriving Prince George’s County. As part of The Community Foundation’s 10-year strategic plan, the Sharing Prince George’s Fund is focused on addressing urgent community needs, advancing economic justice, and, ultimately, working to close the racial/ethnic wealth gap which undermines the health and stability of the entire community. Therefore, Sharing Prince George’s grant-making priorities for this year include: Economic mobility resources that enable people to chart a pathway out of poverty (e.g., access to higher education, training, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, etc.). Individual and Community Wealth Building opportunities which empower people with the financial and social capital needed to build wealth so they can weather crises and pursue their dreams. Basic needs for the low-income neighbors (e.g., access to resources for health and mental health, food security, affordable housing, childcare and education, and interventions which help families transition from crisis to recovery). Funding Information For the FY25 cycle, Sharing Prince George’s will make up to ten (10) one-time grant awards of up to $50,000. Eligibility Criteria  Sharing Prince George’s grants will provide flexible general operating support for work serving Prince George’s County residents. Nonprofits may apply those resources wherever the need is greatest to advance their missions. (Note: Grants to regional organizations will be earmarked to support efforts in the county.) For more information, visit Greater Washington Community Foundation.

The Kahlert Foundation is seeking applications for its grant program to improve quality of life of individuals and communities. Donor Name: The Kahlert Foundation State: Maryland County: Baltimore County (MD), Carroll County (MD), Frederick County (MD), Howard County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Focus Areas The Kahlert Foundation makes grants in the areas of health care, education, youth programs, veteran organizations, and human services. Health Care To provide better health care for as many people as possible. This includes hospitals, hospice & palliative care, and organizations providing free physician exams & medicine for uninsured and under-insured people. The foundation also supports health care research including cancer, urology, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. Health care represents the largest portion of the funding, accounting for about 50% of grants Youth Programs The youth are the future of the country and it is the desire to support programs that develop their skills and values. They support a wide variety of youth programs which include education, after school programs, mentorship, and health care Education The foundation supports K-12 public education with an emphasis on higher education. The children are the next generation of leaders and will have a significant impact on the future of the country. Children and adults obtaining degrees greatly benefit the local communities and economy. Grants are typically for scholarships and student assistance with a current focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs Veterans The Kahlert Foundation proudly supports organizations that help United States of America Veterans and their families. So many of the veterans have sacrificed so much for the country and the freedom. Areas of focus include medical care, research on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), housing, scholarships, and financial assistance. Geographical Areas Grants are for organizations serving the states of Maryland and surrounding areas. In Maryland, the primary focus is in the geographic areas listed below: Baltimore City Baltimore County Carroll County Frederick County Howard County Eligibility Criteria Organizations must submit their 501(c)(3) document under the Internal Revenue Code Organizations must be rated by Guidestar with a strong preference for organization with at least a Silver Seal of Transparency. The Kahlert Foundation will look most favorably on those organizations with a Platinum Seal of Transparency. The Foundation is committed to supporting organizations that spend a high percentage of their funds on programs and service, not administration and fund raising Grant requests must improve the quality of life of individuals and communities, with measurable results Grants may be awarded for capital campaigns, special projects or programs, and general operations Grant requests must show a need for the request, its impact, and effectiveness Organizations need to demonstrate good leadership, financial stability, and a minimum history of 2 years of existence Grants may be for one year or multi-year. For more information, visit The Kahlert Foundation.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies working to improve health, education, and economic opportunities for residents of Baltimore City.

Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that provide agriculture education; support the renovation, construction and/or maintenance of buildings used to promote agricultural activities; and/or promote agriculture as an industry and as a way of life in Frederick County, Maryland. Donor Name: The Community Foundation of Frederick County State: Maryland County: Frederick County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Information A total of $45,000 is available for this grant cycle. Eligibility Criteria The applicant must be:  An existing nonprofit, 501c3 organization,  An existing government/quasi-governmental agency applying for an extraordinary project that is not funded by tax revenue,  A faith-based organization requesting funding for non-sectarian activities, or  A civic group that is not a 501c3 organization requesting funding for a community cause. In addition, 501c3 organizations must be in good standing with:  Maryland Secretary of State’s charitable division  Department of Assessments and Taxation’s Maryland personal property tax division • IRS, as assessed via GuideStar’s Charity Check For more information, visit The Community Foundation of Frederick County.

The Outreach and Restoration Grant Program encourages outreach, community engagement activities, and on-the-ground restoration projects that increase knowledge, change behavior, and accelerate stewardship of natural resources. Donor Name: Chesapeake Bay Trust State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/22/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Outreach and Restoration Grant Program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust and BGE an Exelon Company, Charles County, the City of Baltimore Department of Public Works, the City of Gaithersburg, the City of Rockville, the City of Salisbury, Harford County, Howard County, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration, Queen Anne’s County, and Tradepoint Atlantic. The Outreach and Restoration Grant Program aims to engage a diverse range of organizations, both with community-related missions and environmental-focused missions, to implement community-led stewardship efforts that will increase public understanding of environmental challenges and solutions; address community environmental health disparities, implement demonstration-scale, community-inspired, on-the-ground restoration projects; and expand the base of public support necessary to advance the restoration and protection of Maryland’s bays, tributaries, and other natural resources. All projects should meet one or both of the following goals: Engage members of a specific audience in community sustainability and environmental health issues through knowledge-building or behavior-change efforts.  Accomplish on-the-ground restoration that will result in improvements to the health of a Maryland natural resource, either through water quality improvement or habitat enhancement. Types of Projects Applicants can request funds from one of the following tracks. Within any track, the Trust encourages projects that address the interconnectedness between the health of the environment and human health. They seek projects that provide water or other natural resource benefits along with co-benefits for human communities such as improved air quality, access to greenspace, reduced flooding, mitigating urban heat island effect, etc.  Funding Information  Applicants can request funds from one of the following tracks:  Track 1: Outreach/Knowledge Building (up to $50,000)  Track 2: Behavior Change (up to $75,000)  Track 3: Restoration (up to $100,000)  Track 4: Outreach and Restoration (up to $125,000) Geographical Areas This grant program funds projects throughout the entire state of Maryland. Funding for this program comes from several different partners, each of whom are looking for projects within their specific locations and areas of focus. Funding partners are seeking projects in Charles County, the City of Baltimore, the City of Gaithersburg, the City of Rockville, the City of Salisbury, Harford County, Howard County, Queen Anne’s County, southeast and southwest Baltimore County.  Eligibility Criteria The Trust and the funding partners welcome requests from the following applicants:  501(c)3 Private Nonprofit Organizations  Faith-based Organizations  Community and Homeowners Associations  Service, Youth, and Civic Groups  Federal, State, Regional, County, and Municipal Public Agencies  Soil/Water Conservation Districts & Resource Conservation and Development Councils  Forestry Boards  Public and Independent Higher Educational Institutions. For more information, visit Chesapeake Bay Trust.

The Office of Broadband and Digital Equity (BDE) is now accepting applications for the Digital Equity Fund (DEF) to support community-led digital equity outreach, digital inclusion planning and implementation. Donor Name: Office of Broadband and Digital Equity State: Maryland City: Baltimore Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: This subsequent cycle will focus on providing digital education training, digital inclusion programming and initiatives in low digital inclusion communities throughout the City of Baltimore. Many Baltimore residents lack the essential tools needed to fully engage in the modern, digital world. More than 1 in 4 Baltimore households lack a digital device, and more than 40 percent lack internet access. Decades of disinvestment also means the most vulnerable residents often experience the greatest impact of the digital divide. Round two of the Digital Equity Fund will invest in initiatives across three different grant categories to help address gaps in digital literacy and skills. Tier 1: Digital Literacy Education Training (up to $200,000) – Grants will support initiatives under two sub-tiers: Tier 1A – digital literacy education for older adults; Tier 1B – digital literacy education for the wider community in support of tech hubs at recreation centers in underserved areas. Skill areas might include computer basics, using the internet, and digital skills for job seekers. Tier 2: Advanced Digital Education and IT Fundamentals Programming (up to $200,000) – Grants will support initiatives providing IT fundamental skills training and certification to Baltimore City residents interested in a career in IT. Programming must include opportunities for residents to earn industry-recognized IT certifications. For example, Cisco IT Essentials, including CISCO ITE certification and/or A+ certification, CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+), Net+, and Security+. Tier 3: Digital Creatives and Virtual Makerspaces Programming (up to $200,000) – Grants will support initiatives providing education and programming for digital creatives and virtual makerspaces at local recreation centers throughout Baltimore City. Grantees can use this tier of funding for classes and workshops for digital creatives, and special events to help develop skills in coding, digital media creation, robotics, video editing, and 3D printing. Funding Information Grant awards are up to $200,000. The grant period is September 1st, 2024 – June 30th, 2026. Target Population Program activities must address the needs of those left behind in the digital age, including: Residents of low digital equity communities; People with disabilities; Older adults; Immigrants and non-English speakers; Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; Returning citizens; LGBTQIA+ Youth; People experiencing homelessness; and Families with children under five (5). Geographical Focus  The DEF will only fund Baltimore City-based organizations. Who is Eligible for Funding?  Eligible applicants are Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations who serve Baltimore residents. Organizations can submit a grant proposal for each grant type. Applicants must plan to address the needs of groups most likely to be left behind in the digital age, including people with disabilities, older adults, individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group, immigrants and non-English speakers, returning citizens, LGBTQIA+ youth, and people experiencing homelessness. For more information, visit Office of Broadband and Digital Equity.

This grant provides funding for teachers in Maryland to collaborate on interdisciplinary projects that integrate the arts with core academic subjects in schools.

Anne Arundel County Government and the Chesapeake Bay Trust announce a partnership to provide funds for forestry projects and land protection in Anne Arundel County. Donor Name: Chesapeake Bay Trust State: Maryland County: Anne Arundel County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: The goal of this program is to implement cost-effective reforestation and greening projects and increase the number of acres of protected forested land in the County. By increasing tree cover and expanding green areas, erosion can be reduced; water and soil quality can be improved; airborne pollutants such as particulates, nitrogen oxide, and carbon monoxide can be filtered; and summer temperatures and resulting ozone pollution and energy use can be reduced. By protecting forested land, valuable ecological services such as habitat, water quality, and flood control can be ensured for the future. What this funds? Reforestation/afforestation of Protected Lands. Permanent protection of Forested Lands. Reforestation/afforestation and Protection of Uneased and Unforested Lands. Eligible Project Tracks Track 1: Reforestation/Afforestation of Protected Lands Funding partners seek reforestation and afforestation projects that provide ecological benefits by establishing, enhancing and/or preserving riparian buffers; creating, enhancing and/or preserve larger contiguous tracts of forest; and/or creating, enhancing, and/or preserving wildlife habitat, including habitat for forest interior dwelling species. Track 2: Permanent Protection of Forested Lands Applicants can apply to purchase, execute, record, and monitor permanent conservation easements to protect, maintain, and preserve existing tree canopy in Anne Arundel County. The permanent conservation easements shall be acquired, held, and maintained by the grantee or by a land trust subcontracted by the grantee. The best projects under this track are those seeking to protect ecologically valuable sites or existing habitats, such as riparian buffers, large contiguously forested tracts, and/or important wildlife habitat. Track 3: Reforestation/Afforestation and Protection of Uneased and Unforested Lands Applicants may request support for reforestation/afforestation projects on land that is not currently under conservation easement or otherwise protected. In such a case, the land must be owned by an individual or entity that will agree to place a permanent conservation easement, deed restriction, or long-term protective agreement for tree planting on the property on which the project is installed and that will protect the tree project. As in Track 2 above, funds for easement costs will be considered as eligible budget request items with the exception that the threshold value for requiring appraisals is $8,800, the NRCS WRP threshold for cropland. As described in Track 2 above, applicants may a) request easement costs below the threshold without incurring an obligation to obtain appraisals, b) request easement costs above the threshold and be responsible for obtaining appraisals as a condition of the award at an expense that will only be reimbursed if the project moves forward, or c) request easement costs above the threshold and supply justification in the form of at least one appraisal. Funding Information Up to $238,000 is currently available for this round of the program. Reimbursement cannot be made for already completed projects. Project Period Projects must be completed within 24 months upon receipt of the award. Requests to extend project completion period will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis. Project Location This program funds projects in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Projects located within the City of Annapolis limits are not eligible for this program. Eligibility Criteria  Anne Arundel County and the Trust welcome requests from the following organizations: Land trusts; Nonprofit entities; Community associations; Service and civic groups, Faith-based organizations; Public agencies; and Public and independent higher educational institutions. For more information, visit Chesapeake Bay Trust.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore area that support youth development programs focused on career skills and life skills for high school students.

Seeking to foster deeper connections with nature among a range of constituencies, the Foundation invests in environmental programs that focus on education and/or stewardship. In the environmental education area, the Foundation’s emphasis is on high quality programs that promote hands-on experiential activities in formal and informal K-12 educational settings to increase time spent outside in nature for youth. In the environmental stewardship area, the Foundation seeks to support the maintenance and expansion of green spaces, including parks and farms, in under-resourced neighborhoods. The Foundation’s environmental grantmaking is limited to the Baltimore metropolitan region. The Foundation typically provides funding for general operations and/or programming, but not capital needs.

The City of Greenbelt is seeking applications for its ARPA Nonprofit Recovery Grant. Donor Name: City of Greenbelt State: Maryland City: Greenbelt Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City of Greenbelt has begun accepting applications from eligible nonprofit organizations for a one time “recovery” grant made possible through the allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Qualified nonprofits will be eligible to apply for grants up to $25,000, as allowed by ARPA, to address negative impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Priority will be given to programs supporting one or more of the following areas: Advances education and science Serves the underprivileged Defends human and civil rights Benefits Veterans Helps combat community deterioration Arts & Culture Youth Development Needs Senior Support/Aging in Place Natural Resources and Conservation Racial Equity & Racial Justice Human Services Marginalized members of the community. Eligible Use of Funds You may request funds to address revenue reductions and/or operating expenses to include: Programming & projects specific to one of the priority areas Events to benefit Greenbelt residents Broadband Infrastructure Rental and utility assistance Purchase of equipment Digital advertising/website/e-commerce creation and maintenance Technology Contracted services Insurance Program expenses Program supplies COVID-19 related expenses for which replacement is critical to the nonprofit’s continuity of operations Payroll assistance. Who is eligible for the grant? Nonprofit organizations who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply for a Nonprofit “Recovery” Grant: Must serve Greenbelt residents (preference will be given to Nonprofits located in the City of Greenbelt). Have a 501(c)(3) status or operate under the fiscal sponsorship of a tax-exempt nonprofit. Have a 501 (c) 19 status. Be registered as a Maryland non-profit organization with the State of Maryland. Is in good standing with the IRS, The Maryland Secretary of State’s charitable division, and the Department of Assessment and Taxation’s Maryland Personal Property tax division. Must have a minimum two-year operating history at the time the application is submitted. Must have a Board of Directors with representation from the community. Was in existence prior to or established during the period of March 1, 2020 to March 30, 2022. Is able to demonstrate continuity of operations to sustain programming/projects/services. Must have a minimum annual operating budget of $25,000, as reflected in the most recent tax return or 990. Has demonstrated an economic need for funding resulting from revenue gaps/shortfalls and/or expenses as a result of COVID-19, or during the period of the coronavirus emergency. For more information, visit City of Greenbelt.

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 opportunity supports Baltimore-based nonprofits in implementing community-driven programs that improve digital literacy and access to technology for vulnerable populations, including older adults and minorities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community colleges in Maryland that focus on agricultural and forestry education, as well as rural economic and community development initiatives.