Maryland Grants

Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grants aim to foster youth activities and engagement within Howard County by supporting free, accessible, and supportive programming developed by nonprofit and community organizations. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to empower community organizations with resources to create impactful programs for young people, particularly during non-school hours. The grant's strategic priority is to enhance youth well-being and development through structured engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits increased access to supportive out-of-school programs leads to improved social-emotional learning, mental health, and overall youth development. The primary target beneficiaries of the YEP! Grants are young people in Howard County. The program's impact goals include providing community organizations with the means to develop and expand programs that focus on social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and general activities for youth. By offering these programs outside of traditional school hours, the grants seek to address critical periods when young people may most benefit from engagement and support, thereby contributing to their holistic development and reducing potential negative outcomes associated with unstructured free time. The grants prioritize programming that occurs at least monthly over a 12-month period, engaging youth during weekends, after-school hours, and the summer. A key focus is on ensuring programs are either free or low-cost, with proposals needing to demonstrate how cost barriers are minimized for participants. Additionally, proposals are encouraged to leverage partnerships with other community organizations in Howard County, fostering a collaborative approach to youth development and maximizing resource utilization across the community. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of young people served by engaging activities, a broader geographic impact of programs within Howard County, and successful engagement of youth across various age groups. Grant recipients are required to track performance data, including the number of young people served, geographic reach, and age of youth served, and submit quarterly reports to the Office of the County Executive. This rigorous reporting mechanism ensures accountability and provides measurable results, allowing the Howard County Government to assess the effectiveness of the YEP! grants in achieving their objectives and continually refine their strategic approach to youth engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on improving their services for low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities through strategic investments in planning, staff development, and technology.

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

The City of Bowie's Community Outreach Committee (COC) offers funding to individuals and organizations that implement programs designed to meet the needs of City of Bowie residents. This grant aligns with the City's mission to enhance community well-being by supporting initiatives in critical areas such as physical and mental health, social and human services, youth, senior citizens, diversity, community-centered programs, and cultural education. The City of Bowie acts as the donor, strategically investing in local programs to foster a healthier, more inclusive, and educated community. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are underserved residents of the incorporated City of Bowie. The program aims to address various community needs, including improving health outcomes, providing essential social and human services, supporting youth and senior populations, promoting diversity, and advancing community and cultural education. The impact goal is to create a tangible, positive change in the lives of City residents by empowering individuals and organizations to deliver targeted and effective services. The COC grant program prioritizes initiatives that directly benefit City of Bowie residents. While applicants do not need to be City residents themselves, programs should ideally be conducted within the incorporated City to maximize reach and impact among the target population. This focus ensures that the funding directly addresses local challenges and opportunities for improvement. Expected outcomes include enhanced access to vital services, improved quality of life for residents, and a more engaged and educated community. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information beyond the funding structure, the grant's competitive selection process suggests an emphasis on effective program delivery. This reimbursable grant model, requiring receipts for funded items, ensures accountability and demonstrates the City's commitment to responsible resource allocation. The City of Bowie's strategic priority through the COC grant is to foster a strong, supportive, and resilient community. By offering up to $5,000 per grant, with $30,000 available annually, the City employs a theory of change that posits that targeted financial support for community-focused programs will directly lead to improved social conditions and overall well-being for its residents. This approach underscores the City's role as an active partner in community development and resident welfare.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, mission-driven groups, and government agencies working on impactful community improvement projects in South Baltimore, focusing on sustainability, health, and revitalization.

The City of Takoma Park’s Food Insecurity Reduction Grants aim to provide financial support to programs, projects, and events that reduce or prevent food insecurity among Takoma Park residents. This grant aligns with a mission to ensure community well-being by addressing basic needs and promoting equitable access to food resources. The program's strategic priority is to leverage ARPA funding to create a tangible impact on food security within the city, reflecting a theory of change that direct financial support to local initiatives will effectively combat food insecurity at the community level. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are residents of Takoma Park who experience or are at risk of food insecurity. The program targets 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and 501(c)(6) business associations that serve these individuals. The impact goal is to significantly reduce or prevent food insecurity through targeted interventions, ensuring that vulnerable populations have reliable access to nutritious food. Individuals and for-profit enterprises are not eligible, focusing the grant's resources on established community-oriented organizations. The program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate a clear strategy for preventing and reducing food insecurity. Funding for FY25 allocates $155,000 in ARPA funding, with individual grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 for a 15-month period, from October 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. This focus on specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives ensures that funded projects are well-defined and can demonstrate clear progress. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of Takoma Park residents with consistent access to food and a reduction in instances of food insecurity across the community. Measurable results will likely involve metrics such as the number of individuals served by grant-funded programs, the quantity of food distributed, and documented improvements in food access within Takoma Park. The grant duration of 2 years and the specific funding period allow for sustained efforts and the evaluation of long-term impact on food security.

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.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations within 20 miles of a Food Lion store to help alleviate hunger by purchasing food for communities in need.

The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) is offering the New Dairy Processor Start-up Grant program to support new dairy processing projects across the Northeast. The core mission of this program is to foster competitive dairy processing businesses with long-term viability. This aligns with a broader strategic objective of strengthening the regional dairy industry by enabling operations of all sizes to successfully launch and sustain their products in the marketplace. By focusing on start-up operations and tangible implementation, the NE-DBIC aims to facilitate direct economic impact and product innovation within the dairy sector. The program targets several key beneficiaries, including dairy farmers ready to begin processing, value-added entrepreneurs with proven experience in dairy processing or business startups, and dairy processors established after January 1, 2023, who are in their start-up phase. The impact goals are centered on developing these businesses, supporting their entry into the market, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality of the Northeast dairy industry. By providing financial assistance for start-up operations, the program seeks to create new opportunities for dairy-related businesses and products. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible implementation rather than earlier stages like research and development, concept development, or initial planning. This indicates a strategic emphasis on getting products to market and establishing sustainable business models. Eligibility criteria further refine this focus, requiring applicants to be headquartered or based in the Northeast, demonstrate proof of concept, have a robust business plan, obtain necessary licenses, and show commitment from buyers or distributors by the end of the grant period. Expected outcomes include the successful launch of new value-added dairy products, the establishment of competitive and viable dairy processing businesses, and increased market access for Northeast dairy products. Measurable results would likely include the number of new businesses launched, the volume of new products brought to market, and the economic growth generated within the participating dairy sectors. The NE-DBIC's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, involve direct investment in the operational start-up phase, aiming for a theory of change where targeted financial support leads to the successful commercialization and long-term sustainability of dairy processing ventures in the region.

The 2025 Local Community Impact Grant, offered by the Town of Perryville, Maryland, is designed to provide flexible funding to not-for-profit organizations. This grant program aims to address unmet needs within the corporate limits of the Town of Perryville and to support organizations that provide public services to its citizens. The program's core mission aligns with enhancing community well-being and addressing specific local challenges through the support of established non-profits. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are not-for-profit entities that operate within or serve the Town of Perryville. To be eligible, these organizations must possess a place of business within the town's corporate limits or deliver public services directly to its citizens. Furthermore, applicants must hold a 501(c) tax-exempt status and be in good standing with the Town of Perryville, Cecil County, and the State of Maryland. The grant prioritizes organizations that can demonstrate a clear plan to address identified needs within the community, aligning with the town's strategic priority of fostering a resilient and supportive environment for its residents. The grant focuses on supporting initiatives that tackle unmet needs within the Town of Perryville, though specific areas of focus beyond this general objective are not explicitly detailed in the provided information. The expectation is that funded projects will result in tangible improvements in the lives of Perryville citizens and the overall community. The Town of Perryville's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local not-for-profit organizations as key agents in addressing community challenges and delivering essential services, thereby creating a stronger, more vibrant town. Expected outcomes include a measurable positive impact on the community, with funding contingent upon the availability of Impact Grant funding from the State of Maryland. While specific measurable results are not outlined, successful applicants will likely be required to demonstrate how their proposed projects will meet the unmet needs identified and contribute to the well-being of Perryville's citizens. The grant period is not explicitly mentioned, suggesting a focus on project-based outcomes rather than long-term organizational funding, emphasizing immediate and localized impact.

The 2024 Sustainable Communities Grant Program, a collaborative effort between Delmarva Power and the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature), aims to distribute $35,000 to support open space and resiliency projects within Delmarva Power's service area in Delaware and Maryland. This program continues Delmarva Power's commitment to sustainability, having already provided over $235,000 in grants for similar projects since 2020. The initiative aligns with both organizations' missions to foster environmental well-being and community strength. The program targets municipalities, recreational authorities, and nonprofits operating within the Delmarva Power service area. The grants, each up to $10,000, are designed to fund projects demonstrating significant impact across several key areas. The overarching impact goals are to strengthen natural systems and provide reliable community resources in emergencies, thereby addressing the realities of climate change and increasing extreme weather events. The grant program prioritizes projects focusing on Open Space Preservation, Conservation & Habitat Improvements, Environmental Conservation, and Community Resiliency. Community Resiliency is a broad focus, encompassing community engagement and education regarding resiliency, the purchase of energy storage solutions, and solar installations, including mobile solar units. This holistic approach ensures that projects can address various facets of environmental and community preparedness. Expected outcomes include enhanced natural systems, increased community preparedness for severe weather, and innovative solutions for emergency resource provision. The program encourages initiatives that not only mitigate the effects of climate change but also build resilience within communities. By funding projects that strengthen natural systems and offer reliable resources during emergencies, the program aims to achieve measurable improvements in local sustainability and safety.

This program provides financial support to rural volunteer fire departments to improve their wildland fire suppression capabilities and enhance firefighter safety through the purchase of essential equipment.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in select states to support community-focused initiatives that enhance family support, public safety, and neighborhood improvement.

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.

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 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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to veteran organizations and groups that engage veterans in therapeutic activities, outdoor recreation, and green jobs training.

This program provides financial support to small and mid-sized businesses in Maryland to help cover costs associated with international marketing efforts.

The Healthy Environment, Healthy Communities Grant Program is a funding initiative by the Chesapeake Bay Trust that supports projects by various organizations to address environmental and public health issues through education, small-scale greening, and large-scale restoration in specific areas affected by wastewater treatment plants and energy companies.

This funding opportunity supports community-driven tree planting projects in underserved urban areas of Maryland to improve environmental quality and promote equity.