Maryland Local Grants

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.

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.

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 program provides financial assistance to farmers in Howard County, Maryland, who have suffered losses due to the extreme heat and drought conditions of 2024.

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 Neighborhood Improvement Grant, under the City of Greenbelt Micro Grant program, supports projects aimed at improving neighborhood quality of life. This includes beautification projects, clean-ups, gardening projects, minor park improvements, tree planting, public art, and other similar activities. The goal is to encourage community collaboration and enhance neighborhood environments. Grants are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, with a maximum of $1,000 per project. Projects must be completed by September 30, 2024, with funds disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Eligible applicants include community and neighborhood organizations registered with SAM.gov. Applications are due by August 30, 2024, at 4:55 pm. Organizations awarded grants in Fiscal Year 2024 are not eligible to apply.

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 City of College Park is currently accepting applications for its Needs-Based Student Housing Subsidy Pilot Program. Donor Name: City of College Park State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This new pilot program provides a one-time grant of $1,250 for housing assistance to 60 eligible undergraduate and 60 eligible graduate students.   Eligibility Criteria To qualify, the students must live within the boundary of the City of College Park; be enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary institution located in the D.C. metropolitan area (University of Maryland, Bowie State University, Howard University, Prince George’s Community College, etc.); and be eligible for Pell grants (undergraduate students) or have an income below 60 percent of the HUD 2024 Adjusted Home Income Limits for the D.C. metropolitan area (graduate students).   For more information, visit City of College Park.

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.

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

The City of Rockville in Maryland is offering a grant of over $1 million to local organizations that provide community services and enrichment programs to residents within the city limits, with applications to be submitted by 10/14/2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Greater Washington, D.C. area to promote economic independence through education and development initiatives.

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.