Best Community Development Grants in Maryland

Nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore metropolitan region seeking support for immigrant services, health and mental health access, youth enrichment, Jewish community services, or social entrepreneurship may be eligible for funding. Focused on community well-being and innovation, the Aaron Straus and Lillie Straus Foundation prioritizes projects that can influence public funding and strengthen Baltimore-area communities.

Maryland community development organizations and public agencies in eligible Appalachian counties can seek funding for critical infrastructure and workforce or business development projects. Maryland community development groups can access funding through Appalachian Regional Commission to improve water and wastewater systems, transportation, broadband, entrepreneurship, worker training, and other local capacity-building efforts in the region.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Central Maryland can seek funding for STEM workforce development, environmental stewardship, community vitality, and arts access programs. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company provides grants to organizations advancing education, economic opportunity, and neighborhood quality of life, supporting inclusive community development across its service area.

501(c)(3) nonprofits improving educational outcomes for children and youth in Maryland can seek US $5,000 - US $75,000 for programs, policy work, and organizational capacity. The Comis Foundation supports pilot projects, proof-of-concept efforts, and multi-year capacity building that help young people explore, learn, and thrive, including community-based initiatives.

Focused on health and education equity, Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation invites Maryland 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for funding that advances mental health, access to care, environmental health, and stronger public schools. Eligible nonprofits in the Baltimore region may benefit, especially those combining community-based services with policy or advocacy to improve local conditions.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits planning one-time, project-based capital or capacity-building work can apply for France-Merrick Foundation grants over More than US $50,000. Funding supports community development and revitalization in Greater Baltimore and across Maryland, including education, workforce readiness, housing, health, environment, historic preservation, and civic and cultural facilities that strengthen neighborhoods and local economies.

Maryland 501(c)(3) public charities supporting rural community development, education, or local services can apply for Land O'Lakes Foundation’s Region Grants, with awards of US $1,000 - US $20,000. Grants support community vitality projects such as ag education, schools, city improvements, fire and ambulance departments, United Way chapters, and economic development in eligible rural areas.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3)/509(a) organizations, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored projects serving Baltimore City can apply for the Abell Foundation’s community development grants over More than US $10,000. Funding can support seed projects, ongoing programs, general operations, capital needs, research, and program-related investments across Maryland community development and related focus areas.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maryland planning historic preservation projects or education efforts can access funding through the National Trust for Historic Preservation, with awards from US $2,500 - US $5,000. Grants support planning, technical expertise, capacity building, and outreach that can advance local community development and revitalization goals.

Nonprofit organizations serving communities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore in Maryland can seek funding for arts, education, health care, human services, and Catholic activities. The Marion I & Henry J Knott Foundation offers General Fund grants of US $10,000 - US $45,000, plus smaller discretionary awards, to support one-year projects addressing local community needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maryland working on health care, education, youth, veterans, or human services can seek funding to improve quality of life and community well-being. Focused on community development, Kahlert Foundation invites eligible groups, especially in Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, and Howard counties, to request support for programs, capital projects, or general operations.

The Joseph Robert Foundation Grant provides essential funding for non-profit organizations focused on the arts, animal welfare, and environmental protection. Based in Pennsylvania, the foundation prioritizes smaller local organizations in the mid-Atlantic region, offering grants typically under $10,000. It encourages innovative projects and supports first-time grant seekers, prioritizing those with limited resources. Organizations can apply for general operating support or specific project funding to further their missions and impact their communities.

Community and economic development organizations in eligible Appalachian counties, including parts of Maryland, can seek Appalachian Regional Commission ARISE planning or implementation grants to support multi-state regional economic transformation projects. Funding can reach up to US $10,000,000 for initiatives that strengthen business, industry, workforce, tourism, and community revitalization across Appalachia.

Truist Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation's (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.

Inspire Awards

This year’s Inspire Awards seeks nonprofits supporting the career navigation and workforce development needs of workers across the United States. The challenge seeks applications that help individuals gain the skills, guidance, and support needed to access quality jobs, advance in their careers, and build long-term stability in an evolving world of work.

2026 Truist Foundation Inspire Awards Challenge Question

How are nonprofits providing innovative direct services, training programs, and career navigation supports for adult workers in the age of AI?

Challenge Dimensions

Nonprofit organizations have long been critical advocates and service providers for workers in the United States. Nonprofits provide workers necessary upskilling opportunities, AI literacy training, career navigation support, and wraparound services in conjunction with career pathways programming. All necessary for the modern workforce. Meeting the moment, Truist Foundation and MIT Solve want to hear the ways in which nonprofits headquartered in the Truist operating footprint are providing innovative career pathway programming in the age of AI. Although solutions don’t need to focus on generative AI specifically, teams should demonstrate how their career pathways programming align with the following dimensions:

• Training and Upskilling Programs – Providing holistic, accessible programming that equips workers with essential skills, industry-validated credentials, and technical literacy for the modern workplace.
• AI Readiness and Literacy – Offering high-quality training that helps workers understand generative AI and agentic technologies as augmented intelligence tools, helping to build practical skills like effective prompting, domain expertise application, and ethical use.
• Additional Wraparound Services and Basic Needs Support – Supporting unemployed and underemployed workers on their journey to economic mobility through comprehensive, integrated resources including childcare, transportation support, mentorship, mental health services, benefits navigation, and more.
• Career Navigation in the AI Economy – Enabling workers to navigate career choices with clarity and confidence by providing accessible information about how AI is reshaping job roles and industries, facilitating informed decisions about high-quality career trajectories that align with individual circumstances, and connecting workers to industry-validated credentials or trainings.

Here are the grants for this challenge

• First place: $250,000
• Second place: $150,000
• Runners-up: $25,000
• Audience favorite: $75,000

With a mission to strengthen local services, Maryland 501(c)(3) public charities can receive $30,000 - $75,000 from the Philip L. Graham Fund for one-time community development, education, health, or arts projects. Eligible nonprofits must serve residents of Charles, Montgomery, or Prince George's counties and align with the Fund’s focus areas and direct-service priorities.

The Pathways Out of Poverty Grant, established by the Herb Block Foundation, aims to empower disadvantaged youth and adults in the greater Washington, DC area through education and vocational training. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 will support projects that enhance student achievement, provide literacy and GED preparation, and promote job placement. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting the underserved and improving community outcomes.

Maryland community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits with budgets between $100,000 and $4 million can access visibility, fundraising support, and capacity-building resources through Catalogue for Philanthropy. This four-year partnership promotes selected Greater Washington organizations, including those in Maryland counties, via storytelling, donor outreach, and free professional development, benefiting groups focused on community development and revitalization.

Nonprofit conservation and community organizations, municipalities, Tribal Nations, and agencies in Maryland and other Appalachian states can seek up to US $100,000 to acquire land or easements that enhance resilient, connected habitats and community benefits. With a mission to conserve vital lands and waters, The Nature Conservancy supports projects that also advance equitable community development outcomes.

Nonprofit organizations and local governments in Maryland can receive operating support for community and economic revitalization efforts, including Main Street and technical assistance activities. Focused on community development, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development invites applicants to use up to US $50,000 for eligible operating expenses tied to locally driven revitalization work plans.

Nonprofit public charities seeking funding for tangible items to support community development and revitalization projects in Maryland can apply; awards are up to US $10,000. Grants from Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation help organizations working in areas like human services, education, environment, health, religion, and community development, with preference for its primary geographic focus but eligibility extending to Maryland.

Nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and qualified housing entities working on equitable, affordable housing innovations can apply for Enterprise Community Partners’ national Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, awarding US $2,000,000 grants. Enterprise provides Maryland community development organizations with support to scale proven solutions in housing design and construction, finance, or service delivery that expand affordable housing options.

Nonprofit and community organizations protecting natural and cultural resources in Maryland can receive up to US $7,500 for preservation planning and public education projects. National Trust for Historic Preservation supports initiatives that foster dialogue, shape local policies, build awareness about livable, sustainable communities, and encourage innovative partnerships for open space conservation and historic preservation in the Mid-Atlantic.

Established 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maryland can seek project funding for community development, food sufficiency, education, workforce development, arts and culture, or medical research initiatives benefiting Montgomery County residents. Focused on community impact, the Wolpoff Family Foundation invites letters of inquiry for well-defined programs with measurable outcomes that align with its mission and five-year operating requirement.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on workforce and economic development can receive US $5,000 - US $20,000 to support job training, entrepreneurship, internships, and related programs. Greenspring Advisors provides funding for general operations or specific initiatives, with preference for local organizations serving youth, people in recovery, or underserved communities, including those advancing community development.

Eligible Maryland LEAs, nonprofits, government agencies, community and faith-based organizations, higher education institutions, and for-profit corporations can obtain funding to run out-of-school academic enrichment and youth development programs. Focused on K–12 achievement and family literacy, Maryland State Department of Education awards US $50,000 - US $400,000 to support activities that strengthen students and communities.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits with projects in Priority Funding Areas can apply for Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Investment Tax Credits, awarding up to US $10,000 in state tax credit allocations to leverage donations. Funding can support community development, housing, education, youth services, workforce training, arts, tourism, and services for at-risk residents.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting early childhood education or workforce readiness in Maryland can apply for general operating grants of US $5,000 - US $10,000. Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation supports community development by funding early learning, youth development, food security, housing stability, and gainful employment programs serving the broader Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, including Maryland communities.