Community Empowerment Matching Grant Program

The City of Rockville offers the Community Empowerment Matching Grant Program through its Housing and Community Development Department to help neighbors and community organizations work together on projects that support the health, vitality, and inclusivity of Rockville. The program is competitive, with applications reviewed and awards made by the Housing and Community Development Department. The FY27 funding round described by the City is the final round of the Community Empowerment Matching Grant Program before the program transitions in March 2027 to the Community Empowerment Mini-Grant Program. The replacement Mini-Grant Program is expected to cover requests ranging from $500 to $10,000, while typical awards for this final Matching Grant round range from $500 to $1,000. The program has three primary objectives, and applicants may address any or all of them without one objective receiving priority over another. Building community projects may support the development or sustainability of neighborhood associations or community groups and activities promoting inclusion and diversity in Rockville. Community improvement projects may enhance shared neighborhood spaces or strengthen community identity, with bonus points available when two or more neighborhoods or community groups collaborate. Livability initiatives may provide education and outreach that strengthen social connections within or among neighborhoods and community groups. Examples include initiatives to increase safety, address neighborhood challenges or conflicts, serve low-income residents, or welcome newcomers to Rockville. The program requires participating neighbors and organizations to match City funding through cash, in-kind donations, or volunteer hours. The source does not state a specific match ratio, percentage, or dollar amount. Successful recipients must designate one individual to manage grant contracts and funds, and each applicant group must have at least three members. Eligible groups include neighborhood, civic, and homeowners associations; community groups; groups of neighbors; student groups; and 501(c)(3) nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations requesting less than $10,000. An applicant applying on behalf of an established organization, such as a homeowners association, civic association, or other community group, must provide documentation showing authorization. All funds provided through the grant are subject to taxes. Applicants must first complete the Community Empowerment Matching Grant Budget Worksheet to estimate project costs and matching funds. The completed worksheet is a required upload with the online application. The City notes that the worksheet calculations will not work when the PDF is opened in a web browser and recommends opening it in Acrobat Reader. Applicants then visit the online grant portal, create a new account if necessary, and complete the Eligibility Form to determine whether the proposed project qualifies. Applicants without a Tax ID are instructed to use 11-1111111. After completing the application, applicants must submit it through the online portal by 11:59 p.m. on December 7, 2026. The application portal can be translated into other languages through its Select Language function. Applications for the final FY27 round open November 2, 2026 and are due December 7, 2026. This places the opportunity in an early engagement period as of September 1, 2026 because the application window has not yet opened. Successful applicants are scheduled to receive award notifications by February 12, 2027. The City states that funding will be disbursed in February 2027. The source also states that funded projects must be completed by June 2027, while the detailed project documentation and fund-use instructions establish July 7, 2027 as the deadline for project documentation and the date by which grant funds must be used. Recipients must submit project documentation through the online grant portal by July 7, 2027. Required documentation consists of receipts demonstrating use of the grant funds, at least two visual items illustrating the project, such as photographs or printed materials, and a brief report explaining whether the project met its stated goals. Any unused funds must be returned by check payable to the City of Rockville no later than July 15, 2027. Questions about the program may be directed to Nik Sushka of the Housing and Community Development Department Grants and Administration Division at nsushka@rockvillemd.gov or 240-314-8321. The listed office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD 20850.

Address one or more of the three stated objectives; clearly document project costs and matching contributions; consider collaboration between two or more neighborhoods or community groups because collaborative projects receive bonus points; ensure established organizations provide documentation of authorization