Maryland Private Grants

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations seeking financial support for projects that do not fit within existing grant programs, requiring a preliminary Letter of Inquiry for consideration.

This grant provides funding to 501(c)(3) organizations in the Northeast and East Coast regions of the U.S. for projects focused on environmental sustainability, education, and cultural initiatives that enhance community well-being, particularly those related to bird habitats and open space preservation.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that support immigrant rights, legal services, and holistic support for refugees and asylum seekers, particularly in Baltimore, the DC region, and New York.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and public entities in implementing programs that benefit low- to moderate-income individuals and historically underserved communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to enhance community well-being through initiatives in arts, education, healthcare, and human services.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations that work on climate justice initiatives, focusing on supporting communities of color and low-income populations in Baltimore City, the DC region, and New York.

This funding opportunity provides up to $50,000 for faculty members at select Maryland universities to collaborate with community organizations on innovative research projects that address public health challenges and aim for measurable outcomes within a year.

This grant provides funding to U.S.-based non-profit organizations to support projects that promote Japanese arts and culture, particularly in areas with limited access to such events.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore area for immediate needs that help them effectively serve their communities.

The Philip L. Graham Fund is seeking applications from organizations that provide a wide array of direct services to individuals and families. Donor Name: Philip L. Graham Fund State: Maryland, Virginia County: Arlington County (VA), Charles County (MD), Fairfax County (VA), Loudoun County (VA), Montgomery County (MD), Prince Georges County (MD), Prince William County (VA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Fund is always looking for innovative and efficient organizations to support. Over the past several decades, the Fund has invested tens of millions of dollars in the physical infrastructure, information technology, and transportation needs of local nonprofit organizations. Focus Areas Health & Human Services Education Arts & Humanities Community Endeavors. Eligibility Criteria To be considered for a grant, an organization must: Be a 501(c)(3) public charity Serve residents of one or more of the jurisdictions in the Fund’s giving footprint, which includes: Washington, D.C. Maryland: Charles, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties Virginia: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park Align with the Fund’s giving priorities and provide services that fit into one or more of its Focus Areas Meet the eligibility requirements for past applicants and grantees. Eligible organizations will have: Not received a grant from the Fund in the previous twenty-four months; Not had a funding request declined by the Fund in the previous twelve months; and Submitted a Final Grant Report for any previously awarded grants Not be undergoing an executive leadership change. Organizations Not Considered The Fund also does not consider requests from: Individuals Government agencies Membership organizations Individual schools and universities other than public charter schools and parochial schools. Parent Teacher Associations National or international organizations or concerns Hospitals or hospital foundations Organizations significantly involved in advocacy, litigation, or efforts to change public policy Requests Not Considered             The Fund does not consider requests for: Advocacy, litigation, or efforts to change public policy Research Endowments Special events, conferences, workshops, or seminars Travel expenses Annual giving campaigns, benefits, or sponsorships Courtesy advertising Production of films or publications. For more information, visit PLGF.

In combination with the launch of the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights report, the Greater Washington Community Foundation is offering Community Action Awards. Donor Name: Greater Washington Community Foundation State: Maryland, Virginia County: Arlington County (VA), City of Fairfax (VA), Montgomery County (MD), Prince Georges County (MD), Prince William County (VA) Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 06/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: These small grants will support nonprofits working to make region more equitable and inclusive by addressing issues and challenges highlighted in the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights report. This RFP focuses on two categories of grants: Supporting existing, expanded, or new programs that respond directly to issues and challenges highlighted in the report. Supporting neighborhood-based or population-specific convenings to explore findings in the report and spark action. Funding Information The Community Foundation will award grants of up to $5,000. Total grants disbursed via this RFP will be up to $50,000. Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants will meet the following requirements: Nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 status. Organization must be located in and serving the Greater Washington region. Priority will be given to organizations serving priority areas, which include: Wards 7 and 8 in Washington, DC East County (White Oak, Burtonsville) and Up County (Germantown) in Montgomery County Purple Line Corridor (Langley Park, Chillum, Adelphi) and Blue Line corridor (Seat Pleasant, Largo) in Prince George’s County Bailey’s Crossroads and Route 1 corridor in Northern Virginia Grant Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria Responsive – Applicant’s project directly addresses an issue or challenge highlighted in the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights report or would convene members of a specific neighborhood or population to explore findings in the report and spark action. Feasibility – Applicant’s project can be successfully completed with the awarded grant (or with additional resources if needed) Impact – The anticipated impact of the project is described and is measurable For more information, visit Greater Washington Community Foundation.

The Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Award Program, offered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust and supported by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, aims to increase knowledge of the value of oysters, advance technologies for increasing oyster populations or aquaculture production, and improve oyster population monitoring techniques. This program supports projects in Maryland and Virginia and welcomes requests from members of the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, including community organizations and both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The grant awards up to $10,000, with applications due by September 19, 2024. Match is encouraged but not required.

In an imaginative new program designed to stimulate the revenue growth of underrepresented artists and makers in Frederick County, Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) proudly presents the Creative Capital Microgrant Program, in partnership with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development (FCOED). Donor Name: Maryland Women’s Business Center State: Maryland County: Frederick County (MD) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Creative Capital Microgrant (CCM) Program offers a financial microgrant of up to $1,000 to qualified businesses in creative industries to support specific projects that use traditional business practices—such as marketing, social media, and online sales platforms—to accelerate a short-term return on investment and can be replicated for ongoing growth. A CCM Review Committee has been established to review applications and select grantees based on their eligibility, overall business assessment, evaluation of proposed project, and the ability to replicate it for future revenue. The program aligns with MWBC’s and FCOED’s strategy to support underrepresented business owners through projects that support Frederick’s vision for small business and economic development: Generating additional revenue, with an emphasis on traditionally under-employed populations Retaining and expanding local business services Supporting business-to-community engagement Establishing a foundation for future business success Creating a social impact. Project Eligibility To be eligible, CCM projects must yield a short-term return on investment and be replicable for future business growth. These include but are not limited to: Marketing initiatives with a call to action Social media setup and enhancement Search engine optimization (SEO) strategies Targeted advertising on Facebook, Instagram, or Google Direct mail or drip email campaign implementation Web development, design, and/or copywriting Establishment of new sales channels, including online shopping platforms Video production Professional photography for online galleries or portfolios Promotional expenses for studio open houses or in-house shows Support for show entry fees with sales opportunities Branding and logo design or redesign. Program Eligibility To be considered for the CCM Program, prospective businesses must: Be located in Frederick County Be registered and in good standing with the State of Maryland Establish eligibility as an underrepresented community Have earned less than $55,000 of gross revenue in 2023 from the art associated with the business Applicants will have three months to complete their projects and, to further support the businesses, grant recipients will receive personalized business counseling and attend training classes designed for creative business owners. Upon conclusion of the program, will be invited to participate in a community event to showcase their work. For more information, visit Maryland Women’s Business Center.

This grant provides financial support to cultural organizations in the greater Baltimore area to enhance artistic excellence and foster community engagement through innovative arts programming.

Mini-grants are offered on a rolling monthly basis to support programmatic needs in various impact areas. These grants are aimed at local nonprofits, schools, faith-based organizations, and government programs in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. The grants cover expenses such as technical assistance, capacity building, equipment purchases, and direct aid like pharmaceutical and food assistance. First-time applicants are limited to awards under $1,000 and may require additional vetting processes such as site visits. Grant renewed every year.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in select states to improve healthcare access and outcomes for underserved and uninsured communities.

The Louis H. Shaman Charitable Foundation awards grants to organizations supporting senior residents in Maryland. Donor Name: Louis H. Shaman Charitable Foundation State: Maryland County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program Areas Health Human services Grantmaking Priorities Preference is given to organizations in the state of Maryland that benefit the elderly, disadvantaged, and disabled. Funding Information Average grant size: $5,000 to $15,000. Requirements Organizations are not considered when their fundraising expenses have exceeded 15% of their total gross receipts in each of the two years prior to submission of an application. To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users. For more information, visit Wells Fargo.

This grant provides funding to dairy processors, associations, packaging manufacturers, and educational institutions in the Northeast to support innovative projects that improve processing and packaging in the dairy industry.

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

Established in 1959, The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation is committed to improving the human condition through promoting life-long educational opportunities and a spectrum of cultural programming. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking primarily in the Baltimore area, awarding grants to nonprofit organizations sponsoring high quality programs in three program areas: Arts and Culture, Youth Development, and Adult Self-Sufficiency. The Foundation provides support for programs and general operations and will occasionally consider requests for capital support. In Arts and Culture, the Foundation focuses on growing and diversifying audiences, increasing access to arts across age and income levels, and engaging young people as producers and consumers of arts and arts education. In Youth Development, the Foundation promotes recreation, learning and leadership development through out-of-school-time programs; supports pregnancy prevention and other policies and practices that improve outcomes for vulnerable youth. In the Adult Self-Sufficiency program area, the aim is to strengthen families by supporting adult literacy training, parenting programs and industry-specific job training and preparedness programs.