Maryland Heritage Areas Program Grants

The Maryland Heritage Areas Program Project Grants are administered through the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, a state program housed administratively within the Maryland Historical Trust and governed by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. The program supports projects located within one or more of Maryland's 13 certified heritage areas. Its purpose is to highlight Maryland's diverse heritage, enhance local communities, promote tourism, support sustainability, and contribute to economic development. The program awards approximately $3 million toward capital and non-capital project grants, while the broader Maryland Heritage Areas Program is funded at $6 million annually through Program Open Space funds. Eligible projects must take place within the boundaries of at least one certified heritage area and should create or enhance publicly accessible, place-based experiences or assets that preserve and promote Maryland's stories and contribute to local economies. Non-capital projects may include planning, research, interpretation, interpretive exhibits, signage, brochures, interpretive websites, mobile apps, educational programs, seminars, reenactments, conferences, commemorations, performances, and festivals. Capital projects may include acquisition, repair, alteration, new construction for heritage tourism purposes, trail construction, rehabilitation, restoration, pre-development plans, architectural design, and engineering. Grant funds may not be used for certain expenses, including marketing expenses, alcohol, religious imagery and symbolism, and overhead expenses such as salaries or benefits except where indirect costs are allowed for nonprofit non-capital projects. Marketing expenses and staff time may be used as match when related to the project. Nonprofit applicants requesting non-capital grants may include allowable indirect costs, but capital projects and government entities are not eligible to include indirect costs. Capital projects affecting historic properties may require preservation easements, compliance review, and conformance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation, qualified to do business in Maryland, and legally able to incur grant obligations. Local jurisdictions, state agencies, and federal agencies are also eligible. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact local heritage area staff early in project planning and before submitting the full application. Multi-heritage area applicants should discuss the project with all relevant heritage areas. The application process has two required steps. Applicants must submit an Intent to Apply form through the online grants portal, followed by a full application through the same portal. For the FY27 round, the Intent to Apply deadline was February 2, 2026, by 11:59 pm, and the full application deadline was March 31, 2026, by 11:59 pm. Required full application materials include a project description and timeline, budget, supporting budget materials, and other supplemental documents as applicable. Letters of support are optional but encouraged except for certain project types where specific documentation is required, such as education projects or projects on Maryland Department of Natural Resources property. Applications are reviewed first by local heritage area review panels and then by a state-level Grants Review Panel. Review factors include project description, timeline, audience served and public accessibility, visitor and participant connections to Maryland heritage, support for the local heritage area mission and tourism, partnerships, diverse and inclusive narratives, urgency, and budget alignment. State-level recommendations are forwarded to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for final decisions. FY27 decisions and notifications were scheduled for July 9, 2026, with grant agreements drafted and signed afterward and first payments generally expected from September 2026 through January 2027. Non-capital grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, and capital grants range from $5,000 to $100,000. All grants require a dollar-for-dollar 1:1 match using cash, in-kind contributions, donated or discounted goods and services, eligible staff time, volunteer time, or other approved non-state resources. The grant period generally allows funds to be expended within no more than 24 months after the grant agreement is signed, unless MHAA approves a longer term or extension in writing. Program contacts include Ariane Hofstedt at ariane.hofstedt@maryland.gov or 410-697-9586, Andrew Arvizu at andrew.arvizu@maryland.gov or 410-697-9514, and Martha Waldron at martha.waldron@maryland.gov or 410-697-9555.

Contact MHAA and local heritage area staff early; confirm the project is inside a certified heritage area; align the project with local heritage area goals and MHAA strategic results; provide a detailed budget with supporting estimates; show public accessibility, heritage tourism value, partnerships, urgency, and realistic timeline; avoid single-line budgets; do not use state funds as match except state employee staff time.