Maryland Grants

This grant provides funding to local governments, non-profits, and educational institutions to implement projects that improve flood resilience and tackle the effects of climate change.

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is offering its 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program, which aligns with its mission to support the viability and sustainability of historically underserved farmers and ranchers. This program aims to foster projects that enhance farm viability, create new markets for local agricultural products and services, develop innovative uses for existing farm infrastructure, add value to farm products through processing, packaging, or marketing, and optimize the use of on-farm and natural resources. Additionally, the grant supports cultural and heritage projects dedicated to preserving and continuing specific agrarian traditions, reflecting RAFI's broader commitment to a resilient and equitable food system. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are historically underserved farmers and ranchers, as defined by NRCS, who are in at least their fourth full growing season and have operated their current farm for at least two years. The program specifically targets "livelihood" farmers and ranchers who depend on agriculture for their financial support or are pursuing a long-term career in farming. Eligibility extends to individual farmer owners/co-owners or farm cooperatives, provided at least 50% of the cooperative members meet the individual eligibility criteria. The grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are available to farms located in specific states: AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. Funding priorities are given to proposals demonstrating a high expected impact on farm viability and sustainability, strong project feasibility, and comprehensive planning, including a clear plan, detailed budget, timeline, and all necessary supporting documentation. RAFI also prioritizes farmers who derive a significant portion of their household income from farm operations, individuals with financial need, or those located in economically disadvantaged areas. Projects that tangibly benefit the surrounding community and farms utilizing agroecological and/or ancestral farming practices are also highly favored, reflecting RAFI's strategic priorities for holistic agricultural development and community engagement. The expected outcomes of the Infrastructure Grant Program include increased farm viability and sustainability for historically underserved farmers, the establishment of new and diversified markets for local products, and the preservation of valuable agricultural traditions. Through these grants, RAFI aims to support projects that lead to concrete improvements in farm infrastructure, expanded income streams for farmers, and a stronger connection between agricultural practices and community well-being. By focusing on these outcomes, RAFI reinforces its theory of change, which posits that targeted financial support and capacity building for underserved farmers will lead to a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable agricultural landscape.

The Charles County Forestry Grant Program, offered by the Chesapeake Bay Trust in partnership with Charles County, aims to implement cost-effective reforestation and afforestation projects. The program seeks to increase tree canopy, create forest habitat, improve water quality, and provide ecosystem services such as potable water and air quality. Eligible projects should be in Charles County, Maryland, and must place reforested areas under an easement for protection in perpetuity. Applicants can request up to $20,000, with typical requests being less than $4,500 per acre. Matching funds are encouraged but not required.

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 "Access Granted" initiative by the City of Frederick is a grant program designed to bolster small minority and/or women-owned businesses. This initiative aligns with a broader mission to cultivate a supportive and inclusive business environment, enabling local entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential. The program's core objective is to provide crucial financial assistance, specifically capital for defined projects that will drive business growth, thereby contributing to the economic vitality of the city. The primary beneficiaries of the "Access Granted" program are small minority and/or women-owned businesses, including both startups and established enterprises. To be eligible, businesses must be registered for-profit entities, in good standing with the state of Maryland, and employ no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees. The program prioritizes businesses that are physically located within The City of Frederick limits, ensuring that the financial assistance directly benefits the local economy and community. The program's priorities and focuses are clear: to empower underrepresented business owners by providing them with the necessary capital to expand and succeed. The City of Frederick has earmarked $400,000 for this new grant program, demonstrating a tangible commitment to these businesses. This funding is intended to be deployed as grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, offering substantial support for growth-oriented projects. Expected outcomes include the sustained growth and increased viability of participating businesses, leading to job creation and economic development within Frederick. By fostering a more inclusive business landscape, the city anticipates a ripple effect of increased innovation and community prosperity. The measurable results will be evident in the successful implementation of business projects, the expansion of businesses, and the overall strengthening of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, particularly among minority and women-owned enterprises.

This grant provides funding to states and territories to develop a coordinated early childhood education system that integrates various programs, including Head Start, to improve access and efficiency for families with children from birth to age five.

The City of College Park is currently accepting applications for its Needs-Based Student Housing Subsidy Pilot Program. This new pilot program provides a one-time grant of $1,250 for housing assistance to 60 eligible undergraduate and 60 eligible graduate students. The program aims to address housing insecurity among students, aligning with the City's broader mission to support its residents' well-being and foster a thriving community, which implicitly includes the student population within its boundaries. The grant size ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, with individual one-time grants set at $1,250. The primary beneficiaries of this program are undergraduate and graduate students facing housing needs. Specifically, undergraduate students must be eligible for Pell grants, and graduate students must have an income below 60 percent of the HUD 2024 Adjusted Home Income Limits for the D.C. metropolitan area. These criteria target students with demonstrated financial need, ensuring the subsidy reaches those most vulnerable to housing instability. The program's impact goals are to alleviate housing burdens, enhance student retention and success, and contribute to the overall stability of the student population living within the City of College Park. The program prioritizes students who reside within the City of College Park and are enrolled full-time at an accredited post-secondary institution in the D.C. metropolitan area, such as the University of Maryland, Bowie State University, Howard University, or Prince George’s Community College. This focus ensures that the grant directly benefits students who are part of the College Park community and are contributing to the local educational landscape. The grant aims to provide critical financial support, allowing students to focus on their studies without the added stress of housing insecurity. Expected outcomes of the program include a measurable reduction in housing-related financial stress for participating students, improved academic performance due to increased stability, and enhanced student retention within local institutions. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the program's design, providing a fixed grant to a defined number of students based on clear eligibility, allows for tracking the number of students assisted and potentially gathering qualitative feedback on the program's impact on their housing stability and academic progress. The City's strategic priority is likely centered on community support and educational access, with this program acting as a direct intervention to achieve these goals by addressing a fundamental need.

The City of Frederick's Department of Economic Development has launched a new grant opportunity called “ACCESS GRANTED.” This initiative is designed to support small minority and women-owned businesses, both start-up and established, by providing access to capital for specific projects aimed at scaling their operations. The program aligns with the city's mission to foster a supportive and inclusive business environment, enabling entrepreneurs to achieve their full potential. The primary beneficiaries of the "ACCESS GRANTED" program are small minority and women-owned businesses within The City of Frederick limits. The impact goal is to empower these businesses by providing financial assistance that will facilitate their growth and development. This initiative aims to address the challenges these businesses face in accessing capital, thereby contributing to a more equitable and robust local economy. The program prioritizes small minority and/or women-owned businesses that are physically located within The City of Frederick limits. Eligibility criteria include being a registered for-profit business, being in good standing in the state of Maryland, and having no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees. These criteria ensure that the funding reaches businesses that are genuinely in need of support and are poised for growth within the city. The City of Frederick has earmarked $400,000 for this program, with individual grant sizes ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. The expected outcome is a tangible increase in the capacity and scalability of participating businesses, leading to job creation, economic growth, and enhanced community vibrancy. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the financial allocation, the program's success will likely be evaluated by the number of businesses supported, the scale of projects undertaken, and the overall economic impact on the community.

The 2025 Sharing Prince George Grants, announced by The Greater Washington Community Foundation, aim to support high-impact nonprofits serving Prince George’s County’s most vulnerable residents. This initiative aligns with the Community Foundation’s broader 10-year strategic plan, which is centered on addressing urgent community needs, advancing economic justice, and ultimately closing the racial/ethnic wealth gap. The fund prides itself on supporting organizations that have effectively responded to community needs, working in partnership toward a shared vision for a more equitable, just, and thriving Prince George’s County, directly reflecting the foundation's mission. The target beneficiaries are the low-income and most vulnerable residents of Prince George’s County. The grant program seeks to achieve significant impact by enabling people to chart pathways out of poverty and empowering them with the financial and social capital needed to build wealth. The ultimate goal is to enhance the health and stability of the entire community by mitigating the effects of the racial/ethnic wealth gap, fostering economic justice, and ensuring basic needs are met. The grant-making priorities for this year are threefold. First, economic mobility resources are prioritized, including access to higher education, training, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Second, the program focuses on individual and community wealth-building opportunities to help residents weather crises and pursue their dreams. Third, basic needs for low-income neighbors are addressed, encompassing access to health and mental health resources, food security, affordable housing, childcare, education, and interventions that facilitate a transition from crisis to recovery. For the FY25 cycle, Sharing Prince George’s will award up to ten one-time grants, each up to $50,000. These grants provide flexible general operating support, allowing nonprofits to allocate resources where they are most needed to advance their missions within Prince George’s County. Regional organizations receiving grants will have their funds specifically earmarked for efforts within the county, ensuring the direct impact on the intended beneficiaries and contributing to the foundation's strategic objective of fostering a more equitable and stable community.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and civic groups in Frederick County, Maryland, to implement high-impact projects addressing critical community needs such as affordable housing, mental health, and substance use disorder.

This program provides financial support for essential improvements to commercial buildings in The City of Frederick, targeting small businesses, including those owned by minorities and women, as well as businesses involved in neighborhood revitalization or recovery from disasters.

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 Montgomery County Office of Grants Management is offering its 2025 School-Based Food Assistance Grant Program. This program aims to bolster food security for students and their families by funding initiatives co-located at Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) sites. The overarching goal is to address critical gaps in healthy food access for children and families and to foster innovative approaches to integrate food assistance directly within school communities. The program aligns with a strategic priority to support projects that effectively tackle food insecurity and leverage school sites for broader community benefit, demonstrating a theory of change focused on direct, accessible, and community-embedded food support. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are students and families in Montgomery County who rely on school meals or face barriers to food access, such as transportation challenges. The impact goals are to increase nutrition security and provide convenient access to essential food resources. Successful programs are expected to demonstrate past experience in operating school-based food assistance programs with MCPS, propose quickly actionable program models for new schools, and identify potential zip codes, capacity, resource needs, and expansion formats. The program prioritizes projects that address significant needs in healthy food access for children and families and/or offer innovative models for co-locating food assistance at MCPS school sites. The Office of Food and Special Programs (OFSR) is collaborating with MCPS to identify priority school sites based on community need and the anticipated impact of new or expanded programming. This strategic focus ensures that funding is directed where it can have the most profound effect on alleviating food insecurity. The expected outcomes include the establishment or expansion of diverse food assistance models, such as choice pantries offering culturally relevant and healthy foods, pre-packed box/bag distributions with locally sourced produce, medically or preference-tailored prepared meal deliveries, and grocery gift card distributions to address transportation and other barriers. The total grant funding available is $1,250,000, with individual awards ranging from $40,000 to $300,000, and a performance period from approximately August 15, 2024, to June 30, 2025. This financial commitment and flexible programming range are designed to generate measurable results in terms of increased access to nutritious food and improved food security for the target population.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and government-related entities in Worcester County, Maryland, to enhance cultural access and artistic projects within the community.

This grant provides financial support to local not-for-profit organizations and government entities in Worcester County, Maryland, to help them initiate new arts projects or address urgent needs in the community.

The Kahlert Foundation's grant program is designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities, aligning with its mission to support vital sectors. The foundation's strategic priorities are primarily focused on health care, education, youth programs, veteran organizations, and human services. These areas represent the core of their philanthropic efforts, with a significant emphasis on health care, which accounts for approximately 50% of their grants. This strategic allocation reflects their theory of change: by investing heavily in health care, they aim to achieve the broadest possible positive impact on community well-being. Target beneficiaries for the Kahlert Foundation's grants include a wide array of individuals and groups within Maryland and surrounding areas, particularly Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Frederick County, and Howard County. In health care, beneficiaries include patients in hospitals, hospice and palliative care, and uninsured/under-insured individuals receiving free exams and medicine, as well as those benefiting from health care research in areas like cancer, urology, diabetes, and Alzheimer's. Youth programs target children and adolescents through education, after-school activities, mentorship, and health care initiatives, while education grants benefit K-12 public education, higher education students through scholarships (especially in STEM), and adults seeking degrees. Veterans and their families are also key beneficiaries, receiving support for medical care, TBI research, housing, scholarships, and financial assistance. The foundation's grant program has specific impact goals and expected outcomes, all centered on improving the quality of life with measurable results. For health care, the goal is to provide better access and quality of care, with expected outcomes including improved health outcomes for individuals and advancements in medical research. Youth programs aim to develop skills and values, leading to enhanced educational attainment and personal development. Education grants are expected to produce a generation of leaders, with outcomes such as increased degree attainment and stronger local communities and economies. For veterans, the anticipated outcomes include improved medical care, housing stability, and financial security, recognizing their sacrifices for the country. To ensure effectiveness and alignment with their strategic priorities, the Kahlert Foundation maintains strict eligibility criteria. Organizations must possess a 501(c)(3) status and are strongly encouraged to have at least a Silver Seal of Transparency from Guidestar, with a preference for Platinum-rated organizations. The foundation favors organizations that dedicate a high percentage of their funds to programs and services rather than administration. Grant requests must clearly demonstrate need, impact, and effectiveness, contributing to the measurable improvement of life quality. Organizations are also expected to exhibit strong leadership, financial stability, and a minimum of two years of operational history, ensuring that the grants are directed towards well-managed and impactful initiatives, whether for capital campaigns, special projects, or general operations, for one year or multi-year durations.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies working to improve health, education, and economic opportunities for residents of Baltimore City.

This grant provides funding to organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area that focus on improving community services, education, arts, the environment, and health and wellness for local residents.

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is offering grants to support agriculture in Frederick County, Maryland. These grants are specifically for nonprofit organizations that provide agriculture education, support the renovation, construction, and/or maintenance of buildings promoting agricultural activities, and/or promote agriculture as an industry and way of life. This aligns with the Foundation's mission to foster community well-being by investing in local initiatives. The available funding for this grant cycle totals $45,000, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The target beneficiaries for this program include existing nonprofit 501c3 organizations, existing government/quasi-governmental agencies applying for extraordinary projects not funded by tax revenue, faith-based organizations requesting funding for non-sectarian activities, and civic groups that are not 501c3 organizations requesting funding for a community cause. The impact goals are to strengthen agricultural education, improve infrastructure for agricultural activities, and elevate the profile of agriculture within the community. The program prioritizes initiatives that directly contribute to the vitality of the agricultural sector in Frederick County. This includes educational programs that inform the public about agriculture, projects that enhance facilities used for agricultural promotion, and efforts to celebrate and sustain agriculture as a core industry and lifestyle. The expected outcomes are an increase in agricultural literacy, improved resources for agricultural activities, and a stronger community appreciation for the agricultural sector. While specific measurable results are not detailed, successful projects would likely demonstrate an increase in participation in agricultural education programs, an improvement in the condition or accessibility of agricultural facilities, and enhanced public engagement with agricultural events and initiatives. The Foundation's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, include supporting local economic drivers and cultural heritage. By investing in agriculture, the Foundation operates on a theory of change that by strengthening key community pillars, overall community health and prosperity are enhanced. This grant specifically aims to contribute to a thriving agricultural community, which in turn supports local businesses, preserves local heritage, and provides educational opportunities for residents.

The Philip L. Graham Fund is offering grants to organizations that provide direct services to individuals and families. The Fund's mission is aligned with supporting innovative and efficient organizations, and over several decades, it has invested significantly in the physical infrastructure, information technology, and transportation needs of local nonprofit organizations. This program seeks to continue that tradition by supporting organizations that fit within its giving priorities and focus areas. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are residents of Washington, D.C., and specific counties in Maryland (Charles, Montgomery, Prince George's) and Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, and the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, Manassas, and Manassas Park). The impact goals are to support direct services that address community needs within the Fund's focus areas, ultimately improving the lives of individuals and families in these regions. The Fund's priorities and focus areas include Health & Human Services, Education, Arts & Humanities, and Community Endeavors. Organizations seeking funding must align with these priorities and provide services that fall into one or more of these categories. The Fund's strategic priorities appear to be centered on strengthening the capacity of local nonprofits to deliver essential services and foster community well-being. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed, the Fund's long-standing investment in infrastructure and technology suggests an expected outcome of enhanced operational capacity and improved service delivery for grantee organizations. The theory of change seems to be that by supporting eligible 501(c)(3) public charities that provide direct services in key areas, the Fund can contribute to the overall health, education, cultural enrichment, and community development of the designated geographic areas. Eligibility criteria further underscore the Fund's strategic approach. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities, serve residents within the specified footprint, and align with the Fund's priorities. Additionally, there are specific requirements for past applicants and grantees, ensuring a rotation of funding and accountability for previous grants. The Fund explicitly excludes requests from individuals, government agencies, certain educational institutions, and organizations involved primarily in advocacy or policy change, reinforcing its focus on direct service provision.