Maryland Workforce Development Grants

The William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, managed by the Baltimore Community Foundation, is dedicated to fostering a vibrant arts and culture sector in metropolitan Baltimore. The fund's mission is rooted in the belief that arts and culture are vital for the development of healthy individuals and thriving communities. This grant program is designed to promote and sustain this sector by supporting organizational effectiveness, promoting local artists, and providing inclusive cultural experiences. The foundation's strategic priority is to enrich the life of metropolitan Baltimore through a lively creative environment and deepened civic connections. The program targets cultural organizations and their fiscal agents serving the Baltimore area, as well as individual artists using a fiscal sponsor. Beneficiaries also include residents of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Queen Annes counties in Maryland, who will benefit from enhanced cultural experiences and strengthened community cohesion. The impact goals are to strengthen the region’s sense of cohesion and identity, enhance residents' lives, and ensure programs are inclusive and outreach efforts are broad, welcoming people of all backgrounds. The fund's priorities include strengthening organizational and artistic practices, supporting innovative programs, and fostering cultural sector collaboration. Under "Strengthening Organizational and Artistic Practices," capacity programs are supported to improve internal management, board training, strategic planning, fundraising, and professional development for artists. "Innovative Programs" focus on initiatives that deepen audience engagement or attract new audiences, with specific small grants available for organizations with budgets under $75,000 and for professional artists. "Cultural Sector Collaboration" aims to support strategic alliances that enhance cooperation and strengthen organizational abilities within the cultural community. Expected outcomes include improved organizational and management practices for cultural groups, increased professional development opportunities for Baltimore artists, and the presentation of innovative programming that broadens audience engagement. The program also seeks to facilitate strategic alliances, leading to a more cohesive and effective cultural ecosystem. The foundation's theory of change posits that by providing artistic funding, supporting organizational health, and encouraging collaboration, it can foster a vibrant cultural sector that enriches civic life, strengthens community identity, and ensures broad access to cultural experiences for all residents. The maximum grant size is $10,000, with applications accepted year-round, requiring a Letter of Inquiry.

This grant provides funding to organizations and businesses in the Northeast to develop and expand dairy workforce training programs, enhancing opportunities for current and potential employees in the dairy industry.

This funding opportunity is designed to support community organizations in Cecil County, Maryland, in their efforts to improve health equity and address social needs related to substance use, mental health, childhood trauma, and access to health services.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area that deliver essential services and enriching programs in health, education, arts, and community development.

The FY25 Workforce Development Grant is dedicated to supporting educational and training opportunities aimed at enhancing workforce capabilities. With a special focus on populations such as people with disabilities, high school juniors and seniors, non-traditional students, nonprofit professionals, and skilled workers in critical sectors, the grant provides up to $7,500 for qualified applicants. Programs eligible for funding include summer work experiences, pre-apprenticeship programs, internships, occupational skills training with recognized credentials, concurrent educational programs, and leadership development initiatives. Additional consideration is given based on the scope of impact, collaborative efforts, organizational competence, and fiscal sustainability of applying organizations. Grant renewed every year.

The 2025 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Grant: Rural Health program, overseen by the Rural Maryland Council, aims to elevate the standard of living in rural Maryland to meet or exceed statewide benchmarks by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the unique cultural aspects of rural life. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster economic and community development through targeted investments and promote regional and intergovernmental cooperation. The underlying theory of change is that by facilitating strategic investments and leveraging additional non-state resources, local and regional public and nonprofit organizations can achieve sustainable rural development objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Maryland's rural areas, particularly those facing challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. The program specifically seeks to address health workforce shortages in primary care, surgical specialties, dentistry, mental health, and other medical specialty areas. The impact goals are to improve overall health outcomes, enhance access to a variety of healthcare services, and reduce health disparities in rural populations. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, encompassing improvements in health and medical/dental/behavioral health care access, expansion of tele-medicine and telehealth networking, and the development of programs for healthcare planning and coordination. It also prioritizes addressing rural population health needs, ensuring health care insurance and treatment enrollment, and implementing components of the state’s rural health plan. Additionally, the grant focuses on rural nonemergency medical transportation, recruitment and retention of health care and public health professionals, and addressing behavioral and mental health issues such as substance use disorder, depression, and domestic abuse. Expected outcomes include improved access to health services, a stronger rural healthcare workforce through recruitment and residency programs, and enhanced behavioral and mental health support. Measurable results will likely involve metrics related to increased access to care (e.g., number of new patients served, reduction in travel distances for care), improvements in health outcomes (e.g., reductions in chronic disease prevalence, improved mental health indicators), and the number of healthcare professionals recruited and retained in rural areas. The program also anticipates better coordination of nonemergency medical transportation and a reduction in health impacts on minority populations.

The City of Rockville in Maryland is offering a Community Development Block Grant Program for 2026, providing $10,000 to $100,000 for housing and community development projects benefiting low- and moderate-income households, with eligible activities including home repair, land acquisition, housing development, public facility improvements, and historic preservation, open to non-profit organizations and government entities.

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 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 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 grant provides funding to partnerships and organizations working to improve water quality and habitats in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through innovative practices that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution.

This funding program provides financial support to organizations in Prince George's County that assist domestic violence survivors with housing, legal services, workforce development, and mental health support.

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

The Montgomery County FY 2024 Place-Based Management Grants Program, offered by the Community Engagement Cluster and the Office of Grants Management, seeks to foster economic growth and revitalization in the County's commercial corridors. This program is aligned with the broader mission of supporting local economies through "bottom-up" economic development, emphasizing community-driven strategies. The focus on Place-Based Management, particularly through the Main Street Approach, underscores a commitment to holistic and integrated community development that leverages existing assets and local engagement. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are businesses and residents within identified commercial corridors. The program aims to achieve several impact goals, including retaining, expanding, and attracting neighborhood-serving retail and small businesses, as well as unifying and strengthening commercial corridors through events, promotion, marketing, maintenance, and diverse stakeholder engagements. All funded activities are required to actively involve residents, businesses, and the Montgomery County Government, ensuring a collaborative and community-centric approach to revitalization. Funding priorities are given to projects that address at least three of the four points of the Main Street Approach: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization. Economic Vitality focuses on financial tools, property development, and supporting entrepreneurs. Design enhances the physical and visual appeal of commercial districts. Promotion positions the district as a community and economic hub, creating a positive image. Organization builds a strong foundation through partnerships, community involvement, and resource cultivation. These priorities reflect the County's strategic emphasis on comprehensive revitalization, moving beyond simple economic aid to encompass broader community and aesthetic improvements. Montgomery County Government anticipates awarding $400,000 through approximately two to five awards, with each grant ranging from $25,000 to $200,000. The grant duration is 12 months, with the possibility of renewal for up to three total years based on satisfactory performance and fund availability. Expected outcomes include enhanced economic activity, improved commercial corridor vitality, and increased stakeholder engagement, contributing to a more vibrant and sustainable local economy. Eligible expenses primarily cover operating costs such as administrative expenses, community outreach, implementation of economic development activities, and neighborhood placemaking and management, all geared towards supporting the ongoing efforts of the projects.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.

The Business Development Grant Program, offered by the Town of Perryville, Maryland, is designed to stimulate economic development within the town's corporate limits. Its primary objectives are to foster new job opportunities, reduce the number of vacant storefronts, encourage business diversification, attract additional private sector investment, and promote in-fill business development. This program aligns with a strategic goal of local government to create a vibrant and sustainable economic environment, though specific "foundation mission alignment" beyond this general goal is not explicitly stated as this is a municipal program rather than a private foundation. The target beneficiaries of this program are new and existing small businesses located within the Town of Perryville. The program aims to support these businesses by providing funds necessary for operational needs, thereby ensuring their financial viability and encouraging growth. The ultimate impact goals include strengthening the local economy, increasing employment, and enhancing the overall business landscape of Perryville. The emphasis on filling vacant storefronts and encouraging diversification suggests a focus on revitalizing commercial areas and expanding the range of goods and services available to residents and visitors. The program prioritizes a broad range of eligible uses for funds, including building improvements, the purchase of machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures, inventory, property acquisition or leasing, and advertising campaigns. This comprehensive approach reflects a strategic priority to support various aspects of business development and expansion. The eligibility criteria further refine the program's focus, requiring applicants to be in good standing with the Town, Cecil County, and the State of Maryland, and to operate within specific zoning districts (Neighborhood Business, Town Center, Highway Commercial, Residential Marine, Commercial Maritime, and for existing businesses, Residential districts). This indicates a deliberate strategy to concentrate development in designated commercial and mixed-use areas. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in new job creation, a reduction in the number of unoccupied commercial properties, a more diverse local business sector, and a rise in private sector investment. While specific metrics are not detailed in the provided information, the program's objectives inherently suggest these as key performance indicators. The "theory of change" underpinning this grant is that by providing financial assistance for operational needs and growth initiatives, the Town of Perryville can directly stimulate business activity, which in turn will lead to economic growth and community benefits. This proactive approach by the municipality serves as its strategic priority for economic development.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides the Main Street Improvement Program (MIP) Grant, designed to bolster community revitalization and economic development in Maryland's designated and affiliate Main Street communities, as well as Baltimore City's designated Main Street neighborhoods. This program aligns with the DHCD's broader mission of fostering sustainable communities throughout the state by building local capacity and supporting initiatives that contribute to economic growth and community well-being. The grants aim to empower these communities to achieve their strategic goals, as outlined in their annual work plans, directly contributing to the transformation strategies of these areas. The target beneficiaries of the MIP Grant are the 34 designated and 9 affiliate Main Street Maryland communities, along with 8 Baltimore City's designated Main Street neighborhoods. The impact goals are centered on improving business districts, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the overall vitality of these communities. By providing financial assistance, the program seeks to facilitate a range of activities that will lead to tangible improvements and sustainable growth within these designated areas. The foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its focus on supporting established Main Street programs, recognizing their proven framework for community development. The program prioritizes activities that have been identified in the applicant's work plans as key to their Main Street efforts. Eligible activities are broad and include staff and consultant services, general operating expenses, market and business recruitment strategies, street furniture, advertising, and façade improvements. This flexibility ensures that communities can address their unique needs and challenges. The grants are intended to directly support the goals and outcomes of annual work plans and contribute to the community's transformation strategy. All projects and activities funded are expected to be completed within one year, encouraging timely and efficient implementation. Expected outcomes include enhanced business districts, increased economic activity, improved community aesthetics, and strengthened organizational capacity within the Main Street programs. While specific measurable results like job creation numbers or increased sales figures are not explicitly detailed as requirements for this summary, the allocation of funds to specific Main Street categories ($25,000 for Designated Main Street Maryland Communities, $10,000 for Main Street Maryland Affiliates, and $8,000 for Baltimore City Main Street Neighborhoods) provides a clear framework for resource distribution. The absence of a funding match requirement further facilitates access for eligible communities, simplifying the application and implementation process and accelerating their progress towards revitalization goals.