Maryland Recreation Grants

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is offering its 11th round of farmer mini grants in Spring 2024, providing a total of $60,000 in funding. This program was established in 2016 in response to feedback from the farming community, aligning directly with SMADC's mission to support farms and the future of agriculture in Southern Maryland. The core objective is to expand and promote a viable, market-driven, sustainable, and profitable agricultural farming community in the region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are actively farming individuals in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s counties in Maryland. Both urban and rural farms are encouraged to apply, including youth aged 16 and older who have a background in agriculture. The impact goals are centered around enhancing farm sales strategies, facilitating business maintenance and expansion, and improving overall farm operations through tangible investments. The grant program prioritizes projects that are simple in scope and can be completed within one year. Specific areas of focus include services or equipment to transition sales strategies (e.g., online sales, home delivery, on-farm sales), purchase of foundation livestock or plant stock, marketing and promotion, new fencing, hoop houses, materials for value-added production, on-farm upgrades for food safety, irrigation installation or upgrades (especially in relation to GAP certification or FSMA standards), washing/packing stations, and freezer/refrigeration units. The expected outcomes are diverse, aiming to directly improve farm infrastructure, market access, and operational efficiency. Measurable results would include increased sales due to new strategies or equipment, enhanced food safety compliance, improved crop yields or livestock health, and expanded market reach for participating farms. The grants are awarded up to $3,000 per applicant, requiring a one-to-one dollar match from the farmer, ensuring a shared investment and commitment to project success. SMADC's strategic priority is to foster a robust and sustainable agricultural sector in Southern Maryland. Their theory of change suggests that by providing direct financial assistance for practical, farm-level improvements, they can empower individual farmers to adapt to market demands, enhance their competitiveness, and ultimately contribute to the long-term economic viability and environmental sustainability of agriculture in the region. The matching fund requirement further reinforces this by promoting farmer self-sufficiency and accountability.

The Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation offers grants between $1,000 to $10,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations in the Baltimore area, focusing on mental health, cancer prevention and treatment, arts exposure for youth, and educational opportunities for disadvantaged children, excluding start-ups, capital projects, individuals, multi-year projects, higher education institutions, and organizations outside Baltimore.

This grant provides financial support to organizations hosting family-friendly events in Downtown Hagerstown to strengthen community ties and stimulate the local economy.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Frederick County to address critical community needs such as housing insecurity, public health, quality of life initiatives, and cultural enrichment through the arts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations in Worcester County, Maryland, for initiatives designed to prevent youth from starting to use cannabis products.

This grant provides financial and technical support to local governments, academic institutions, and non-profits for projects that improve water quality, restore waterways, enhance climate resilience, and promote environmental stewardship in Maryland.

This grant provides $50,000 annually for five years to small organizations in Baltimore that are led by Black and Brown individuals and focus on supporting youth aged 24 and under, along with offering capacity-building assistance to enhance their impact.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods for improving local football fields, ensuring safe and accessible play spaces for community youth.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Harford County that collaborate on tourism-related events and initiatives to boost overnight hotel stays and drive economic growth.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance fish and wildlife habitats, improve water quality, and promote outdoor recreation within the Delaware River watershed, targeting nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and Tribal organizations.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that enhance community life in Catonsville, Maryland, through projects in health, education, youth services, recreation, and community development.

This funding opportunity supports arts education projects for students in kindergarten through grade 12 in Prince George’s County, Maryland, promoting cultural accessibility and community engagement.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support youth in low-to-moderate income communities through mentorship, education, and health services in select U.S. cities.

This grant provides funding for local governments and non-profit organizations to design and construct habitat restoration projects that combat erosion and flooding while benefiting communities and addressing climate change.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist local and state organizations, private companies, and nonprofits in Maryland with projects that improve water quality by reducing pollution in designated watersheds.

This funding opportunity supports arts and humanities organizations in Montgomery County, Maryland, by providing financial assistance for projects that promote creativity, community engagement, and diversity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small and mid-sized nonprofit arts and humanities organizations in Montgomery County, Maryland, to help cover their everyday operating costs and promote community engagement.

This grant provides financial support to teaching artists in Montgomery County, MD, to create and implement arts education programs in collaboration with local schools, benefiting students from under-resourced communities.

This funding opportunity provides $75,000 annually for three years to organizations in Baltimore City that are led by Black and Brown individuals and focus on empowering youth aged 24 and under through impactful programs.

This program provides matching funds to neighborhood associations and community groups in Gaithersburg for projects that improve local infrastructure and foster community engagement.