Maryland Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to rural Maryland businesses and organizations focused on entrepreneurship, agriculture, workforce development, and community enhancement to improve living standards and preserve cultural heritage.

Talbot Arts invites grant applications for its Community Arts Development (CAD) Program, aimed at funding arts activities that serve Talbot County, Maryland. This program aligns with Talbot Arts' mission to engage all community members through targeted outreach, fostering equitable access to diverse and inclusive local arts activities. The simplified application process, accessible support, and transparent evaluations are designed to create an even playing field for all applicants, ensuring that the focus remains on the artistic merit and community impact of proposed activities. The CAD program primarily targets non-profit and government-related organizations that provide artistic experiences for citizens and visitors to Talbot County. A particular emphasis is placed on bringing arts to underserved communities, including individuals in healthcare settings, the economically disadvantaged, seniors, and those with special needs. The impact goal is to broaden participation in the arts, enriching the lives of these specific groups and the wider community by making artistic expression and engagement more accessible. Priorities for funding include proposals demonstrating strong artistic merit and organizational effectiveness—the ability of the applying organization to successfully carry out the proposed activity. Crucially, Talbot Arts seeks projects that exemplify service to the community, focusing on how well the proposed activity or program will benefit students, residents, and guests of Talbot County. This strategic focus ensures that grants are awarded to initiatives that can demonstrate both artistic quality and tangible community benefit. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse and inclusive local arts activities, particularly in underserved areas, and a more engaged community through participation in the arts. While specific measurable results are not detailed in terms of quantifiable metrics within the provided text, the criteria of "organizational effectiveness" and "service to the community" imply an expectation of successful project implementation and positive community reception. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $24,000, with an overall program size between $100,000 and $500,000, supporting activities for a duration of one year, specifically from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

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.

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 FY25 Education Grant Program supports a wide array of teacher-led classroom and school-wide initiatives. Education grants are distributed annually each fall with a special reception for awardees in November. Eligible applicants include Public, MSDE approved nonpublic, or Middle States Accredited schools serving pre-K through 12th grade on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, specifically in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties. Successful applications typically show broad support from school leadership, creativity in addressing challenges, a robust evaluation plan, potential for replication, sustainability prospects, and a direct connection to student success and well-being. Note that capital expenditures, field trips, previously funded programs at the same school, and costs associated with fundraising, playground equipment, faculty compensation, or office equipment are generally not funded. Special consideration is given to necessary equipment purchases and field trips that are integral to a larger educational project. Grant renewed every year.

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.

The SFY 2025 Sex Offender Compliance and Enforcement in Maryland (SOCM) Grant Program, under the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to ensure compliance with Maryland law by individuals required to register or re-register with the Maryland Sex Offender Registry. This initiative supports 24 designated law enforcement agencies in Maryland tasked with registration and compliance enforcement of sexual offenders. With an anticipated fund of $728,916, the program allocates grants to these agencies based on the number of registered offenders in their jurisdiction as of December 31, 2023. The funding is meant to assist with compliance verification and enforcement efforts, enhancing public safety and law enforcement capabilities. The program's performance period is from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, with all applications required to be submitted online via the Grants Management System (GMS) by May 24, 2024.

The SFY 2025 Local Warrant Apprehension & Absconding Grant Program (WAAG), funded by the State of Maryland's Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support local law enforcement agencies in reducing the number of open warrants, particularly those for violent crimes, and in apprehending individuals who have absconded from court-ordered drug and/or alcohol treatment facilities. The program is designed to improve the quality of life and create safer communities by reducing violent crime through the effective apprehension of wanted individuals. This initiative supports coordinated criminal justice strategies and enhances data availability for informed decision-making. The program anticipates a minimum of $2,000,000 in grant funding and plans to make up to 35 awards ranging from $10,000 to $150,000. Applications that do not meet the minimum or exceed the maximum award allocation may be removed during the initial technical review. The funding is contingent upon final approval of the budget by Maryland’s General Assembly.

The SFY 2025 Violence Intervention and Prevention Program (VIPP) Grant, managed by the State of Maryland's Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, is dedicated to preventing and reducing gun violence through the support of competitive grants funding evidence-based or evidence-informed health programs. This initiative aligns with the Office’s objectives to develop coordinated criminal justice strategies and enhance data availability to support data-driven decisions. Grantees are required to report on collaborative efforts and data collected throughout the award period, with this information publicly shared on the Office’s website. The VIPP aims to implement effective violence reduction strategies by investing in programs that demonstrate measurable positive outcomes in preventing gun violence, utilizing public health principles and scientific research. The grant prioritizes funding for programs that have been operational for 1 or 2 years, with new applicants considered based on available funding. The anticipated funding pool is $2,768,000, intending to award up to 15 grants ranging from $50,000 to $400,000 each.

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.

The Transportation Alternative and Recreational Use FY25 Grant, administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration, aims to fund transportation alternative and recreational use projects within the state. This federal grant offers 80% reimbursable funds, requiring a 20% match from project sponsors. Projects should enhance the intermodal transportation system or support recreational trails and amenities. Approximately 60% of the funds are allocated to projects within the jurisdictions of three Maryland Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs): The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board, National Capitol Region Transportation Planning Board, and Wilmington Area Planning Council. Eligible sponsors include local governments, regional transportation authorities, transit agencies, natural resource and public land agencies, school districts, tribal governments, and 501c(3) non-profit agencies. Project sponsors are responsible for all aspects of their project, including design, management, construction, and maintenance.

The Harford County Office of Economic Development administers the Harford Strides Fund as a temporary grant program to assist tourism related organizations in the infancy stage of program development. The fund supports organizations building models for long term sustainability that draw audiences from outside the county and encourage overnight hotel stays. Applicants must demonstrate success, lessons learned, and best practices, show clear intent to drive overnight stays, document hardship that jeopardizes program or operations but for county funding, and show pursuit of additional funding sources. Organizations must occupy a niche within tourism and may not apply if they have submitted to the Partnership Fund. Eligible applicants are Harford County 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organizations in good standing with the state and registered as Maryland charitable organizations. The program has 220,000 dollars available and may provide support for up to two consecutive years, subject to eligibility and need. Applications are due May 3, 2024. Grant size is determined by need and available funds. Additional information is available from the Harford County Office of Economic Development.

The SFY 2025 Protecting Against Hate Crimes Grant, issued by the State of Maryland's Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to enhance the security and support for non-profit organizations, including faith-based entities that are at risk of being targeted for hate crimes. This grant is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible organizations for implementing measures that improve their security infrastructure and safeguard their facilities and members against hate crimes. The grant is open for applications from non-profit organizations holding 501(c)(3) or (4) status within Maryland, and the funding will prioritize projects that demonstrate a critical need for security enhancements based on the local incidence and severity of hate crimes. The application process is entirely online, and hard copy submissions are not accepted. The grant period runs from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, with a total funding pool of $5,000,000. Individual applications may request up to $150,000, but funds are not to be used for capital improvements or large IT projects. All funding is contingent upon the approval of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy’s budget by Maryland's General Assembly. Grant renewed every year.

The SFY 2025 Domestic Violence Unit Pilot Program (DVUP), funded by the State of Maryland through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to significantly reduce or minimize the time between the issuance of interim and temporary protective orders and their entry into the Maryland Electronic Telecommunications Enforcement Resource System/National Crime Information Center (METERS/NCIC). This initiative supports the office's objective of enhancing the availability and speed of information to support data-driven approaches to criminal justice issues in Maryland. The program has been institutionalized by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and continues to offer grants to local law enforcement agencies to enhance service efforts and ensure compliance with Family Law Article sections. The program anticipates making no more than 10 awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 for the fiscal year 2025.

The SFY 2025 Gun Violence Reduction Grant Program (GVRG), funded by the State of Maryland and administered by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support law enforcement agencies and prosecutors in developing and implementing strategies to reduce firearm-related violence. The program seeks to address the statewide issues of gun violence, illegal firearm distribution, manufacturing, and seizures, with a goal to make communities safer. The GVRG encourages the development of coordinated criminal justice strategies and data-driven approaches to criminal justice in Maryland. Eligible applicants include local and state law enforcement agencies as well as local state's attorney's offices, with priority given to those not currently receiving Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) funds.

The Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network (MCIN) Grant Program, as part of the SFY 2025 initiative by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, focuses on developing comprehensive information-sharing infrastructures to enable cross-jurisdictional intelligence sharing. The goal is to dismantle criminal networks involved in various illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, gun violence, and gang activities. This initiative supports the enhancement of public safety by facilitating the formation of partnerships across criminal justice agencies for improved data sharing, investigations, and prosecutions.

The ODAC Grant Program, part of the SFY 2025 initiative by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, is designed to decrease the number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses stemming from substance use. The program emphasizes the coordination of law enforcement and public health efforts to combat the substance abuse epidemic through enhanced investigative strategies, data sharing, and community outreach. The ODAC initiative aligns with the state's goals to improve public health and safety by addressing the root causes of drug abuse and facilitating access to treatment and support services.

The SFY 2025 Adult Day Reporting Center Grant Program (DRCE), funded by the State of Maryland through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support local jurisdictions in implementing or enhancing Adult Day Reporting Centers. These centers provide community-based services and treatment to individuals under pretrial or probation supervision or those sentenced directly to a Day Reporting Center. The primary goal is to reduce recidivism, jail and prison populations, and corrections-related costs by offering a comprehensive range of services, including counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, drug treatment, educational remediation, job training, and intensive supervision. The program targets non-violent individuals and focuses on addressing criminogenic needs such as substance use, anger management, employment, education, and life skills. The Governor's Office anticipates awarding up to three grants, ranging between $90,000 to $270,000, to support these efforts.

The SFY 2025 Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Grant, funded by the State of Maryland through the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support the investigation and prosecution of internet crimes against children. The grant also assists in the operations of the Maryland Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. These efforts are part of the Office's broader objective to reduce victimization of Maryland's children by protecting them from abuse or neglect, addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and mitigating the impact of childhood trauma. Additionally, the grant promotes coordinated criminal justice strategies at the State and local levels, enhancing collaboration among local law enforcement agencies and Child Advocacy Centers with the Maryland ICAC Task Force.

The SFY 2025 Police Accountability Community and Transparency (PACT) Grant Program, funded by the State of Maryland and managed by the Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, aims to support law enforcement in developing effective accountability procedures to enhance lawfulness, legitimacy, and community relations. This initiative seeks to implement criminal justice reform measures, foster new community-law enforcement partnerships, provide relevant training, and introduce technology to build trust and transparency. The program encourages the adoption of best practices in law enforcement to improve public safety across Maryland. Eligible applicants include state and local law enforcement agencies, local State’s Attorney’s Offices, Maryland’s Attorney General’s Offices, higher education institutions, non-profit organizations, and faith-based organizations.