Best Grants for Capital Funding in Maryland

Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored projects in Maryland seeking support for Baltimore-focused programs and capital needs can apply for small grants up to US $10,000. With a mission to strengthen community well-being, The Abell Foundation provides seed, program, general operating, capital, outreach, and advocacy funding across seven core program areas.

Agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest owners, and Tribes in Maryland can receive financial and technical assistance to implement on-the-ground conservation practices that improve operations and natural resources. Focused on environmental conservation, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service invites Maryland land stewards to address soil, water, air, habitat, energy, and climate-related resource concerns through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Maryland 501(c)(3) and similar tax-exempt organizations seeking capital, program, or general operating support for education, human services, health, environmental, or cultural initiatives can apply for McGraw Foundation grants. Although grants generally favor the greater Chicago area, Maryland groups may be eligible for US $2,000 - US $10,000 awards, with occasional larger grants for especially promising projects.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking more than US $50,000 for one-time capital or capacity-building projects can apply for France-Merrick Foundation support. Funding focuses on organizations in Greater Baltimore working on areas like education, health, environment, community and economic development, historic preservation, and civic and cultural facilities, with strong financial stability and clear project outcomes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored projects serving Baltimore City can apply for Abell Foundation grants over More than US $10,000 for community-focused initiatives. Funding can include capital projects within broad areas such as education, workforce development, health and human services, environment, arts, and community development in Maryland.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking capacity-building support for planning, leadership development, strategic collaborations, internal operations, or technology improvements can apply for US $2,500 - US $25,000 to strengthen their organizations. Ausherman Family Foundation funds Frederick County organizations working in areas like youth and family services, health and human services, arts and culture, and community benefit programs.

Maryland nonprofits serving Frederick County residents can access funding for operating, program, or project costs through the Ausherman Family Foundation’s General Grant program, with awards of more than US $2,500. Organizations working in areas like youth and family services, health and human services, arts and culture, or community benefit may be eligible.

Graduate students conducting research in drinking water quality, environmental science, or public health can receive US $3,000 to advance projects with actionable outcomes for the water industry. Focused on water-related research, the American Water Works Association invites applicants, including those connected to Maryland institutions, to apply for the Dr. Philip C. Singer Scholarship.

Nonprofits, schools, government units, and religious organizations with community programs serving Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore can seek program and operating support through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore’s general Letter of Inquiry process. Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore supports a wide range of human services, education, health, arts, environment, and community development initiatives in Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset Counties.

IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charities serving Prince George’s or Montgomery County in Maryland can apply for Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation grants of US $10,000 - US $250,000 to support community-focused programs. Funding may cover areas like education, health and wellness, environment, arts and humanities, housing, workforce development, and youth and family services.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits can seek funding for capital campaigns, special projects, programs, or general operations that improve quality of life. Grants from Kahlert Foundation help organizations in health care, education, youth programs, veteran services, and human services, primarily in Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, and Howard counties, with strong Guidestar transparency preferred.

Nonprofit organizations serving women and children with self-sufficiency, humanitarian aid, or child welfare programs in Maryland can access funding through The Father's Table Foundation. Grants up to US $750,000 support efforts like homelessness services, education, employment readiness, food security, health care, and anti-human trafficking, which may include capital components within broader program expansion or service delivery.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public charities, public universities, and eligible religious organizations offering non-discriminatory social services can access funding and in-kind support through The Caesars Foundation. Programs in social equity and education, climate change and food security, or responsible play and mental health may be considered, which can include capital or facility-related needs within these focus areas.

Grants from Venable Foundation help Maryland nonprofits with general operating or project support across human services, legal aid, education, workforce development, youth programs, health, environment, and arts and culture; typical awards are approximately US $10,000. 501(c)(3) organizations serving Baltimore City or County may be eligible for funding that can complement capital or facility-related efforts within these program areas.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Watershed and Climate Services Grants Gateway

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Watershed & Climate Services (WCS) is committed to providing technical and financial assistance to Maryland’s communities that are challenged by intense storms, changing sea levels and increasing flooding, while balancing growing populations, economic growth, and increased tourism and recreation. These trends make the already challenging task of restoring the Chesapeake Bay, safeguarding people and infrastructure and managing natural resources even more complex.

Grants Gateway provides a resource for partners seeking technical and financial support for projects that foster healthy and resilient ecosystems, communities, and economies. Grants Gateway provides a centralized hub to streamline the grant application process for governments, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

Eligible projects across six programs (as above) will improve water quality, restore local waterways, increase community flood planning, develop the next generation of environmental stewards, improve shorelines, and plan for beneficial reuse.

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund (Outcome 1)

There are two tracks including the traditional competitive grant program and the Pay for Performance track.

Traditional Competitive Grant Program

What kind of projects are supported by the Trust Fund?

Implementation-ready restoration proposals can be submitted under this funding source. Example projects can include, but are not limited to: wetland restoration, afforestation and other tree planting projects, riparian buffer restoration, stormwater best management practices, stream restoration, meadow plantings, and agricultural best management practices.

Projects must address water quality in the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Coastal Bays by reducing non-point source pollution, namely nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment. Projects should be cost-effective, located in targeted areas, and be implementation-ready. Competitive projects will be large-scale, multi-partnered efforts with demonstrable water quality benefits. Proposed projects should demonstrate the ability to construct within 12 months of award. Additionally, the state is interested in supporting projects that provide desirable co-benefits (Maryland Code, Natural Resources § 8-2A-04), including:

• The restoration of aquatic resources, such as seagrass beds or oyster reefs;
• Climate resilience;
• Carbon sequestration;
• Creation of wildlife habitat;
• Local employment opportunities;
• The improvement or provision of recreational opportunities; or
• Environmental justice benefits;

Funding is only available for projects located in the Maryland portions of both the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and the Atlantic Coastal Bays. Tree planting projects are eligible for all of Maryland. Public and private lands are eligible. Site visits are required for all stream restoration projects.

Maryland 501(c)(3), (4), (6), and (19) nonprofits with at least $250K in annual revenue can seek US $50,000 - US $400,000 for capital or programmatic sustainability projects, including renewable energy and efficiency. Grants from Green Mountain Energy help fund initiatives like solar installations, clean transportation, resource conservation, and sustainable agriculture in eligible service-area communities.

The Department of Natural Resources’ Watershed and Climate Services Grants Gateway

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Watershed & Climate Services (WCS) is committed to providing technical and financial assistance to Maryland’s communities that are challenged by intense storms, changing sea levels and increasing flooding, while balancing growing populations, economic growth, and increased tourism and recreation. These trends make the already challenging task of restoring the Chesapeake Bay, safeguarding people and infrastructure and managing natural resources even more complex.

Grants Gateway provides a resource for partners seeking technical and financial support for projects that foster healthy and resilient ecosystems, communities, and economies. Grants Gateway provides a centralized hub to streamline the grant application process for governments, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations.

Eligible projects across six programs (as above) will improve water quality, restore local waterways, increase community flood planning, develop the next generation of environmental stewards, improve shorelines, and plan for beneficial reuse.

Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund (Outcome 1)

There are two tracks including the traditional competitive grant program and the Pay for Performance track.

Pay for Performance Track

In addition to the traditional competitive grant program, the Trust Fund is soliciting pay for performance contracts that provide the following:

• Cost per lb or outcome and cost per unit of implementation that is more cost effective than traditional grant values, as seen in the Trust Fund Table. Maryland DNR may select to not fund proposals as Pay for Performance if found to be less cost effective than traditional grant mechanisms.

• Reduced risk to state as payments commence once the project is installed and verified, with subsequent payments offered once project is verified to be functioning and sustained

• Innovative projects and/or projects of scale: Large scale restoration where implementation units exceed traditional grant acreages; Additionally, the state is interested in supporting holistic projects that maximize co-benefits; Innovative BMPs with a quantifiable reduction in nutrient and/or sediment pollution or increase in co-benefits

• Measurement of goal attainment (%) - Measure of success is more specific than implementation units and must include measurement of hydric soils, plant survivability, canopy cover, plant density or other indicators that measure performance.

• Long-term sustainability of performance measures achieved through expected project lifespan, monitoring, easements/landowner agreements, operation and maintenance and/or adaptive management plans

Pre-Proposal Meetings are required for all Pay for Performance Proposals; site visits are required for stream restoration projects and strongly encouraged for other restoration practices.

Undergraduate-focused higher education institutions in Maryland conducting small-scale biomedical research can apply for Academic Research Enhancement Awards supporting student research experiences and campus research environments. The National Institutes of Health provides up to US $375,000 to baccalaureate-granting institutions that have received limited prior NIH funding; Maryland schools planning facilities or equipment improvements tied to research may be eligible.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits advancing economic mobility or stable housing can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program to build organizational capacity. Eligible organizations receive a two-year leadership development experience plus a grant, supporting efforts in workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, affordable housing, and related community development priorities.

Nonprofit public charities seeking up to US $10,000 for tangible capital items in arts, education, environment, health, human services, religion, or community needs in Maryland can apply; grants prioritize concrete purchases over operations. Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation especially favors projects with broad community impact, and Maryland organizations may be competitive within its wider geographic priorities.

Early-career medical and health researchers at academic or research institutions in low- or middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award to support mentored clinical research and career development. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Maryland-based partners collaborating with LMIC investigators advance cancer, cardiovascular, mental health, environmental health, and related global health research; awards are approximately US $140,000.

The Aegon Transamerica Foundation Grant supports non-profit organizations focused on enhancing financial and social empowerment in communities where Transamerica employees live and work. Established in 2000, the foundation prioritizes initiatives that foster self-reliance, financial literacy, and community engagement. Eligible organizations must be IRS 501(c)(3) non-profits operating in specific locations such as Atlanta, GA and Denver, CO. The foundation does not fund individuals or certain types of organizations, aiming to create inclusive, resilient communities.

Early-career health research scientists at academic or research institutions in eligible low- and middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, which provides approximately US $140,000 for mentored career development and research support. Sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Maryland-based partners collaborating with LMIC investigators may benefit through joint projects.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

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.

Biogen Corporate Sponsorships provide funding to support congresses, events, and initiatives in exchange for tangible benefits such as marketing opportunities and recognition. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and requests must be submitted 50 days in advance. Biogen considers various disease areas for sponsorship, including Alzheimer’s and Multiple Sclerosis. Approval depends on funding availability, alignment with interests, and event details, ensuring transparency for all potential sponsors.

The Maryland Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Grant, administered by the Maryland State Department of Education, aims to support local education agencies and community organizations in providing after-school academic enrichment programs. This grant focuses on assisting students from low-performing schools to meet academic standards while offering additional services such as youth development, substance abuse prevention, and family literacy opportunities. Grants range from $50,000 to $400,000, enhancing educational and community engagement.