Maryland Private Grants

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.

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 grant provides financial support to small for-profit businesses in central Maryland that are BGE customers, helping them grow and better serve their communities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Maryland schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to enhance environmental education and engage students in hands-on learning experiences that promote environmental stewardship.

This grant provides funding for community organizations and local governments to engage in environmental outreach, education, and restoration projects aimed at improving water quality and ecological health in the Jones Falls watershed of Maryland.

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.

This grant provides funding to partnerships and organizations working to improve water quality and habitats in the Chesapeake Bay watershed through innovative practices that reduce nutrient and sediment pollution.

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 program provides financial support to community-based organizations that empower youth aged 12 to 20 through established, youth-led urban greening initiatives focused on social and environmental justice in select states.

This program provides unrestricted funding to small arts organizations rooted in communities of color, helping them sustain and expand their cultural practices while addressing systemic inequities.

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 opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Maryland for showcasing local performing artists, enhancing community engagement in the arts.

This grant provides funding to support small farmers and public entities in Maryland to aggregate local food products for sale to wholesale and institutional markets, enhancing the local food system.

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.

This program provides funding to artists and arts organizations in Maryland to pursue professional development opportunities that foster growth and economic sustainability.

This program provides funding to local organizations in EPA Region 3 for projects that address environmental and health challenges in historically underserved communities.

The Northeast SARE Professional Development Grant program aims to advance sustainable agriculture practices by enhancing the knowledge, awareness, skills, and attitudes of agricultural and other service providers. This directly aligns with the foundation's mission to support sustainable agriculture through education and professional development. The grant focuses on empowering professionals who work with farmers, enabling them to teach, advise, or assist in the adoption of sustainable methods. The program seeks to create a ripple effect, where trained service providers then apply their learned expertise to help farmers improve their agricultural practices, fostering a more sustainable food system within the Northeast region. The primary beneficiaries of this program are agricultural service providers, including those in non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, Cooperative Extension, and other entities that serve the farming community. Additionally, the program extends its reach to other service providers such as real estate agents, bankers, and attorneys, who can indirectly influence farmers. The overarching impact goal is to cultivate a more resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape in the Northeast by equipping these professionals with the necessary tools and knowledge. Expected outcomes include increased adoption of sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices by farmers, improved ecological and economic resilience to climate change, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The program prioritizes a wide array of topics, encompassing marketing and business, crop production, raising livestock, aquaculture, social sustainability, urban and Indigenous agriculture, and traditional ecological knowledge. A significant focus is placed on climate-smart agriculture practices, which are intended to improve ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change. This includes practices such as reduced and no-till farming, cover cropping, prescribed grazing, ruminant feed management, manure management, fertilizer management, and on-farm energy efficiency. The program's strategic priorities are clearly aligned with addressing contemporary agricultural challenges through education and practical application. Northeast SARE actively encourages projects from, or in collaboration with, women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Furthermore, it encourages proposals from Minority Serving Institutions and other organizations in the Northeast that work with historically underserved communities, demonstrating a commitment to equity and inclusivity in agricultural development. The theory of change behind these priorities is that by supporting a diverse range of voices and institutions, the program can foster more innovative and equitable solutions for sustainable agriculture, leading to broader and more effective adoption of sustainable practices across the region. The expected measurable results include an increase in the number of service providers trained in sustainable agriculture, a documented increase in farmers adopting climate-smart practices, and the successful implementation of projects that demonstrate improved ecological, social, and economic resilience. Awards typically range from $30,000 to $150,000, with project lengths usually spanning 2 to 3 years, and a maximum allowed duration of 3.5 years. The program's geographical focus is exclusively on the Northeast region, which includes Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., ensuring targeted and localized impact within this specific area.