Maryland Community Development Grants

This program provides financial support to local visual artists and nonprofit art organizations in Washington, DC, to acquire and showcase their artwork in public government buildings, enriching the community's access to the arts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits, civic groups, and government agencies in Frederick County, Maryland, for projects that enhance community well-being and address local needs.

The 2025 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund Grant: Rural Health program, overseen by the Rural Maryland Council, aims to elevate the standard of living in rural Maryland to meet or exceed statewide benchmarks by 2030, while simultaneously preserving the unique cultural aspects of rural life. This initiative aligns with the foundation's broader mission to foster economic and community development through targeted investments and promote regional and intergovernmental cooperation. The underlying theory of change is that by facilitating strategic investments and leveraging additional non-state resources, local and regional public and nonprofit organizations can achieve sustainable rural development objectives. The target beneficiaries of this grant are the residents of Maryland's rural areas, particularly those facing challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services. The program specifically seeks to address health workforce shortages in primary care, surgical specialties, dentistry, mental health, and other medical specialty areas. The impact goals are to improve overall health outcomes, enhance access to a variety of healthcare services, and reduce health disparities in rural populations. The program's priorities and focus areas are multifaceted, encompassing improvements in health and medical/dental/behavioral health care access, expansion of tele-medicine and telehealth networking, and the development of programs for healthcare planning and coordination. It also prioritizes addressing rural population health needs, ensuring health care insurance and treatment enrollment, and implementing components of the state’s rural health plan. Additionally, the grant focuses on rural nonemergency medical transportation, recruitment and retention of health care and public health professionals, and addressing behavioral and mental health issues such as substance use disorder, depression, and domestic abuse. Expected outcomes include improved access to health services, a stronger rural healthcare workforce through recruitment and residency programs, and enhanced behavioral and mental health support. Measurable results will likely involve metrics related to increased access to care (e.g., number of new patients served, reduction in travel distances for care), improvements in health outcomes (e.g., reductions in chronic disease prevalence, improved mental health indicators), and the number of healthcare professionals recruited and retained in rural areas. The program also anticipates better coordination of nonemergency medical transportation and a reduction in health impacts on minority populations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

The Creative Howard grant program is offered by the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) to support small nonprofit arts organizations and arts businesses in Howard County, Maryland. The program aims to strengthen the vitality of the arts community and provide funding for eligible activities. Grants of up to $2,500 are available, and there is no matching fund requirement. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit arts organizations or arts businesses located and operating in Howard County for at least one year with an operating revenue of $100,000 or less. The program supports a wide range of arts activities, including dance, design, folk and traditional arts, history exhibits, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual arts, and workshops. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis with a deadline of the first day of each month at 11:59 PM. The grant period for FY24 is from September 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Applicants may receive funding for only one application per fiscal year. The application process must be completed online using the Submittable platform. A final report is required within 15 business days after the funded project occurs.

This funding opportunity supports Baltimore-based nonprofits in implementing community-driven programs that improve digital literacy and access to technology for vulnerable populations, including older adults and minorities.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local government agencies and nonprofit organizations in Calvert County, Maryland, to implement initiatives that address the impacts of opioid use disorder through prevention, treatment, recovery, and public safety efforts.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government units to promote and expand Maryland's craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries, while enhancing tourism and local agricultural use.

This grant is aimed at improving the handling of child abuse and neglect cases, including child sexual abuse and exploitation. It focuses on the development of innovative programming to enhance the front-end intake and investigative stages of child welfare, aligning with the Maryland Governor’s Office's objective to reduce victimization among children. All funding is contingent upon the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services receiving the specified grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

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.

The Community Event Grant is part of the City of Greenbelt Micro Grant program, designed to support resident-led neighborhood social events and gatherings. The aim is to build relationships among neighbors through fun social events like block parties, festivals, cultural events, holiday celebrations, and outdoor recreation activities. This initiative seeks to foster a welcoming and inclusive community atmosphere, encouraging lasting connections and civic participation. Grants are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act, with a maximum of $500 per event. Projects must be completed by September 30, 2024, with funds disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Eligible applicants include community and neighborhood organizations registered with SAM.gov. Applications are due by August 30, 2024, at 4:55 pm. Organizations awarded grants in Fiscal Year 2024 are not eligible to apply.

This program provides financial assistance to Maryland-based businesses, non-profits, and farms to enhance their energy efficiency beyond existing standards.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for coalitions of organizations to implement produce prescription programs in high-poverty areas of Maryland, aiming to improve food security and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

The “Love Your Block” micro-grant program is administered by BMORE Beautiful, a Baltimore City initiative focused on community engagement and neighborhood beautification. The program invites applications from resident-led neighborhood groups and community organizations seeking to implement small-scale improvement projects that benefit the public and enhance curb appeal through cleanliness and aesthetic improvements. The 2025 grant cycle encourages creative and impactful projects designed to beautify Baltimore’s neighborhoods while fostering civic pride and participation. The initiative supports a broad range of beautification efforts, with a clear emphasis on public benefit and volunteer involvement. Projects eligible for funding may include the creation or enhancement of green spaces like community gardens and flower beds, streetscaping efforts such as tree pit maintenance and neighborhood signage upgrades, and community art projects including small murals or painted public benches. Additional eligible projects involve improving pedestrian pathways, creating safe walking routes to schools, installing wayfinding signage, and increasing neighborhood safety through lighting fixture repairs or installations. Proposals should be well-defined, executable within the implementation period, and designed to be completed by December 15, 2025. Applicants may request funding between $500 and $1,500 per project. However, funding cannot be used for staff time, administrative fees, rent, utilities, home façade improvements, block parties, or the purchase of community cleanup tools like gloves and trash grabbers. For those materials, applicants are directed to contact BMORE Beautiful separately. Funded projects must submit a final report that includes receipts, a final budget, before-and-after photos of the revitalized block, and qualitative data such as volunteer participation, waste removal metrics, and green space improvements. This report is mandatory and must also be submitted by December 15, 2025. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in good standing with the State of Maryland or must work with a fiscal sponsor that meets this criterion. Each application must include a completed form, an image of the proposed project site, a recent signed W9 form, and an IRS Determination Letter. If using a fiscal sponsor, the application must also include a letter of support and a copy of the sponsor’s IRS Determination Letter. Incomplete submissions or those missing required documentation will not be considered. The application window for the 2025 grant cycle opens on June 23 and closes on August 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee between August 11 and August 15, with award notifications issued on August 22. Successful applicants must submit their award agreements and register for the required workday by August 29. The implementation period begins on September 19 and runs through December 1, 2025. Completed application packets must be submitted via email to BMOREBeautiful@baltimorecity.gov or delivered to BMORE Beautiful at 1 N. Charles Street, 13th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201. Questions about the application process can be directed to Natasha Neale or Brandi Welsh at the provided email address. Interested groups are encouraged to apply early, as funding is limited and competitive.

This funding program provides financial support to organizations in Prince George's County that assist domestic violence survivors with housing, legal services, workforce development, and mental health support.

This funding opportunity provides up to $20,000 to early-career researchers focused on advancing disability health equity, particularly for mobility disabilities among older adults in Southwest Baltimore, through innovative projects that engage community partners.

The Mini Grants program, offered by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, is designed to bolster arts programming delivered by nonprofits or community organizations. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support the arts by addressing community needs and benefiting underserved audiences within Anne Arundel County, Maryland. The program acts as a critical resource for local organizations, fostering cultural engagement and artistic expression across the region. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are underserved audiences and communities within Anne Arundel County who will benefit from increased access to arts programming. The program aims to empower local nonprofits and community organizations to produce or present public arts programming that might otherwise be unfeasible due to funding constraints. The impact goal is to enrich the cultural landscape of Anne Arundel County by ensuring a diverse range of artistic activities are available and accessible to its residents, particularly those who are often overlooked. A key priority of the Mini Grants program is to encourage partnerships among organizations, with a 1:1 cash match requirement underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts and shared investment in arts initiatives. The program focuses on organizations incorporated as 501(c)(3) nonprofits or those with a significant physical presence in Anne Arundel County, ensuring that funding directly supports local entities dedicated to the arts. Eligibility criteria further emphasize a history of operation and a clear focus on arts activities within the county, ensuring that grant funds are allocated to established and committed organizations. The expected outcomes of the Mini Grants program include an increase in the quantity and quality of arts programming available to Anne Arundel County residents, particularly for underserved groups. Measurable results could include the number of unique arts programs supported, the size of the audiences reached, and the number of organizational partnerships fostered. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on local impact and community engagement through the arts. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted financial support and encouraging partnerships, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County can stimulate a more vibrant, inclusive, and accessible arts ecosystem that benefits the entire community.

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.