Community Improvement Grants

Baltimore County's Community Improvement Grants provide capital funding to neighborhood and community-based organizations for projects that are open to the community and aligned with community plans and the County's Master Plan 2030. The FY27 program has a total allocation of $2,200,000 and will have one funding round only, with an October 30, 2026 deadline. Eligible projects may be located anywhere in Baltimore County. The program is intended to help community organizations implement improvements in communities, neighborhoods, and business districts, including projects identified in community plans or Sustainable Community Plans. Projects must advance one or more Master Plan goals related to a livable built environment, harmony with nature, a resilient economy, responsible regionalism, or a healthy community. The program particularly emphasizes livability in areas designated for development and greater density within the County's Urban Rural Demarcation Line. Funding is organized into two tiers. Tier One supports requests from $3,000 through $15,000, with $400,000 of the program allocation reserved for these grants. Tier Two supports requests from $15,001 through $200,000, with $1,800,000 reserved for these grants. All proposed projects must be capital in nature, meaning they are expected to have a durability of 15 years or more and cannot be easily picked up and removed. Projects must be completed within two years after receipt of a fully executed grant agreement. Tier Two proposals may include project management expenses of no more than 10 percent of Total Project Cost, although such expenses are optional and may not be recommended for funding in every case. The maximum request remains $200,000 including project management expenses. No applicant matching or cost-share requirement is stated. Eligible applicants include community organizations, nonprofit organizations, and local Chambers of Commerce. Every applicant must have an Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) designation, be in Good Standing with the State of Maryland, and maintain a bank account in the applicant organization's name. An applicant may serve as fiscal agent for another community-based organization when a letter signed by both organizations explains how the grant will be managed. Applicants are not limited in the number of applications they may submit, although reviewers will consider the successful implementation or conclusion of previous County grant awards. Projects must be regularly open to the public and benefit the overall community. School facilities, County parks, projects benefiting a single for-profit business or private property owner, projects benefiting nonprofit organizations without public access or onsite public services, and private condominium association or HOA projects without broader community access are ineligible. Applications must explain how the proposed project implements one or more Master Plan goals and identify the geographic and/or demographic groups that will be directly served. Applicants must provide evidence of community support, which may include a letter from the applicant organization explaining its community ties, a partner organization's support letter, or other written evidence of local stakeholder support. Applicants must also document site control and applicable regulatory compliance. Property owners should state their ownership in the application; otherwise, a signed property-owner approval letter must accompany the application. Projects on public rights of way or public property require approval from the appropriate public agencies before application. Applicants must provide evidence that the permitting process has begun by attaching their most recent communication with the Baltimore County Zoning Review Office and Department of Planning, Approvals, and Inspections. Other regulatory approvals may also apply to projects involving historic districts, County landmarks, Design Review Panel areas, or property affected by another public agency. Tier Two applicants have additional requirements. They must explain how the proposed improvement connects with objectives in adopted Sustainable Community plans, Small Area Plans, Community Plans, or targeted revitalization strategies and upload copies of the referenced plans. They must explain how the improvement builds upon or relates to other projects underway or recently completed in the targeted area and identify two ways to measure the completed project's benefits to the community. Preference will be given to Tier Two proposals demonstrating other funding sources that have been applied for or committed and evidence of the applicant organization's working relationships with other community-based organizations in the project area. Eligible capital projects can include community gardens, gateway and wayfinding signage, community-owned building improvements, public-serving nonprofit facilities, commercial district improvements, public art, pedestrian or bicycle trails, and playground or pocket-park enhancements that are not County-owned parks. A pre-application meeting with a member of Planning's Implementation team is required for all applicants. Applicants must email tsuchecki@baltimorecountymd.gov to schedule the meeting, which is scheduled on a first come, first served basis, and they must be prepared to describe a specific project. The meetings provide individualized guidance, troubleshooting, and assistance defining project goals and potentially quantifiable impacts. An informational webinar is scheduled for September 10, 2026 at 12 p.m. General program questions may also be directed to implementation@baltimorecountymd.gov. The application deadline for the sole FY27 funding round is October 30, 2026. After the deadline, Planning's Implementation staff will review applications for eligibility and completeness within five business days, and clarifying information will be sought and obtained within 14 business days following the deadline. Proposed projects may receive site visits within three weeks of the deadline, and proposals will be fully evaluated by the Planning Department within 45 days of the funding deadline. Applicants recommended for funding must provide requested financial statements and other materials within 10 business days after notification. Acceptable materials may include the most recent Form 990, year-end Profit and Loss statement and Balance Sheet, and/or the most recent three months of bank statements. Projects over $15,000 may require additional evaluation. Awards proceed through multiple County review and approval stages, including County Council review and approval, followed by execution of a Grant Agreement and payment scheduling. The full process may take seven to eight months, and successful applicants applying by October 30, 2026 can anticipate funds becoming available in June 2027.

Clearly connect the capital project to specific Master Plan goals and identify who will directly benefit. Provide strong written evidence of community support and establish site control, approvals, and permitting progress before submission. Tier Two applicants should connect the project to specific objectives in adopted plans, show how it builds on other area investments, identify 2 measurable community benefits, document other funding sources where possible, and demonstrate working relationships with other community-based organizations.