Best Frederick Grants for Nonprofits in Maryland

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation offers Local Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations in 11 markets, providing $225,000 to support local programs addressing community issues. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a revenue exceeding $100,000 and must operate in one of the specified television markets. The grants aim to empower youth through education, promote diverse storytelling, and enhance community engagement. This initiative underscores Comcast's commitment to fostering inclusion and equitable opportunities for underserved communities.

​​​​​​​​​​​Mission

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development transforms communities into places people want to call home. Through investments in community-led placemaking, housing and small business development, infrastructure and broadband deployment, we partner with local government, nonprofits, and private sector stakeholders to make great places.

Vision

All Marylanders will have the opportunity to live and prosper in affordable, lovable and just communities.

Maryland Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Community Development Block Grant Program funds help strengthen Maryland’s communities by expanding affordable housing opportunities, creating jobs, stabilizing neighborhoods and improving the overall quality of life.​

The Women's Giving Circle of Frederick County Fund offers grants aimed at empowering women aged 18 and older facing challenging situations. With funding from the Community Foundation of Frederick County, the program supports initiatives that promote self-sufficiency and improve quality of life. Grants range from $1,000 to $40,000, targeting organizations that enhance workforce development, financial literacy, and economic stability for women. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and government agencies focused on community causes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and qualified public entities providing community development programs in Frederick, Maryland may be eligible for charitable sponsorship supporting low- to moderate-income communities. With a mission to advance educational, physical, and economic mobility, Santander Bank Foundation funds efforts like affordable housing, small business development, financial education, workforce training, youth development, and neighborhood revitalization within its Northeast and Florida banking footprint.

Nonprofit organizations providing early childhood education and school-readiness programs in Frederick, Maryland can apply for funding that supports vocabulary, social-emotional learning, math, science, and the arts. Focused on early learning, PNC Foundation invites Frederick-area 501(c)(3)s to form community partnerships that strengthen children, families, and neighborhoods through its Grow Up Great initiative.

Nonprofits and other organizations in Frederick, Maryland that operate in Frederick County and have ties to the intellectual/developmental disability community can apply for the Monocacy Foundation Grant to support individuals’ unmet medical, educational, and recreational needs. Funding may cover items like adaptive equipment, employment training, vacations, medications, or pet ownership costs for eligible residents.

Nonprofit organizations serving children with disabilities in Frederick, Maryland and the wider Washington metropolitan area can seek support for medical, therapeutic, and accessibility needs. Vicky Collins Charitable Foundation has funded projects like pediatric clinics and wheelchair-accessible vehicles, so Frederick-area 501(c)(3)s helping children with special needs may be eligible.

The Sgt. David J. Smith Veterans Relief Fund provides financial assistance to veterans and their families in Frederick County, Maryland, who are facing unexpected financial challenges. Nonprofit organizations can apply on behalf of eligible households, ensuring that only those with honorable military discharges benefit. Support is limited to once every 12 months per veteran, and applications are accepted as long as funding is available, making this a critical resource for local veterans in need.

The Frederick FEED Grant, administered by The Community Foundation of Frederick County, aims to enhance food equity and emergency distribution in the community. Open from December 1 to December 21, 2025, it supports existing food banks, pantries, and nonprofits in Frederick County. Grants can be utilized for expanding food distribution efforts and acquiring necessary equipment, thereby addressing critical food insecurity issues and fostering a healthier community for all.

The Community Foundation’s Rolling Grant Program offers financial support for a variety of purposes, serving individuals and organizations in Frederick County, Maryland. Grants are available to established nonprofits, government agencies, religious organizations for non-sectarian projects, and civic groups. This program aims to empower local communities by funding educational scholarships and nonprofit initiatives, fostering a vibrant future through philanthropy. Applications are accepted continuously until funds are exhausted.

The Richard E. & Nancy P. Marriott Foundation is dedicated to uplifting communities in Washington, D.C. by supporting nonprofit organizations focused on education, human services, and employment opportunities. With an emphasis on early childhood education, mentoring, and relief from hunger and homelessness, the Foundation awards approximately 150 grants annually, totaling around $1.8 million. They prioritize partnerships that foster community strength and individual dignity, especially for vulnerable populations, ensuring access to essential resources and job training.

Frederick, Maryland nonprofits, government entities, faith-based organizations, and civic groups can access funding through the Community Foundation of Frederick County for projects serving local communities. Grants of US $2,000 - US $10,000 support initiatives aligned with veteran services, education and literacy, and disease prevention and treatment, excluding projects that support another Rotary Club.

The Florence Nesh Charitable Trust Grant focuses on supporting medical or scientific research and education in the Greater Washington DC area. It funds projects that provide direct services, demonstrate community needs, and foster collaboration among organizations. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of three years of operation and prior measurable outcomes. The trust prioritizes sustainability and diversified income, while avoiding support for general operating costs, for-profit entities, and organizations lacking public charity status.

Nonprofits, government agencies, religious organizations, and civic groups in Frederick, Maryland can receive funding for community programs through the Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland. Impact Grants support work in health and human services, education, youth programs, the arts, agriculture, animal welfare, historic preservation, and civic causes, with awards of more than US $500.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Frederick, Maryland working on children’s services, hunger, or education can request monetary or in-kind dining certificate support through Brinker International’s charitable giving program. Brinker International provides Frederick, Maryland nonprofits with one donation per calendar year, with applications due at least six weeks before the related event and submitted online.

The Black Philanthropy Giving Circle Grant, managed by the Baltimore Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations that are Black-led or serve Black communities in the Baltimore area. This grant aims to enhance services for African-Americans, ensuring their needs are prioritized. With a focus on community-driven initiatives, the Fund encourages applications from organizations that contribute positively to the local landscape and uphold the values of empowerment and support for Black communities.

Nestlé Purina is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of pets and the communities they serve. Through their event sponsorship program, they support 501(c)(3) tax-exempt pet welfare organizations in the U.S. that focus on the welfare of cats and dogs. Eligible events must be located within 50 miles of their St. Louis headquarters, ensuring that their contributions directly benefit local communities. Purina's commitment to pets and people strengthens the bond between them.

About Us

The Rural Maryland Council

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) brings together citizens, community-based organizations, federal, state, county and municipal government officials as well as representatives of the for-profit and nonprofit sectors to collectively address the needs of Rural Maryland communities. We provide a venue for members of agriculture and natural resource-based industries, health care facilities, educational institutions, economic and community development organizations, for-profit and nonprofit corporations, and government agencies to cross traditional boundaries, share information, and address in a more holistic way the special needs and opportunities in Rural Maryland.

Our goals are to:

• Encourage healthy, connected communities throughout Rural Maryland through convening of stakeholders, education, public relations, and advocacy.
• Support the development and growth of vibrant economies in Rural Maryland.
• Foster stewardship of Maryland’s natural resources.
• Maximize RMC outreach, resources and mission through financial and organizational development.

As a collaborative partnership, the RMC operates in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner. Policy-makers and managers from stakeholder agencies and organizations at all levels of government and the private sector are valued participants. Where practical, the decision-making undertaken by the RMC is made by reaching consensus.

RMC’s vision is a future where all of Rural Maryland is prosperous with thriving resources, vibrant economies, and healthy, connected communities.

Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)

Purpose:

To support initiatives that improve access to healthy, locally sourced food across rural communities. The program will support projects that expand post-harvest infrastructure for small farms, enhance food distribution through food hubs and mobile markets, and increase procurement of local foods by institutions such as schools, hospitals, and community organizations. Additional priorities include advancing nutrition education and supporting regional coordination to address food insecurity in rural “hot spot” communities.

The TowerCares Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that support children in need and military families in the Baltimore/Washington area. New organizations must consult a Foundation Ambassador before applying. The Foundation prioritizes specific project funding over general operational support. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and align with the Foundation's mission, enhancing community welfare and ensuring a brighter future for those in need.

The Hamer Foundation

Our Mission:

The mission of The Hamer Foundation is to provide support to nonprofit organizations within a 100-mile radius of State College PA in the following areas: 

• Environmental Support – 50% of donations 
• Community Support – 35% of donations 
• Educational Support – 15% of donations 

The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Guss Family Scholarship Fund for the Arts

Frederick County students ages Kindergarten through 12th grade who are currently pursuing instrumental or vocal music instruction may apply for a music scholarship supporting private or group instruction. These scholarships are funded by The Sperry L. Storm Memorial Scholarship Fund and The Guss Family Scholarship Fund for the Arts. 

Ausherman Family Foundation provides Frederick, Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits with capacity-building support for planning, leadership development, strategic partnerships, internal operations, and technology improvements. Organizations in areas like youth and family services, health and human services, arts and culture, and community development can apply for US $2,500 - US $25,000 to strengthen their effectiveness and infrastructure.

Frederick, Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking operating, program, or project support can access funding through Ausherman Family Foundation, with awards starting at more than US $2,500. Eligible organizations must serve Frederick County residents in areas such as children and youth, health and human services, arts and culture, or public and society benefit, with applications accepted year-round.

Frederick, Maryland nonprofits serving underprivileged children, people experiencing homelessness, or elderly adults can access funding through Cloudbreak Foundation for specific projects providing direct care, services, or treatment. 501(c)(3) organizations in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area, including Frederick County, may receive US $5,000 - US $20,000, with priority for programs meeting critical or basic needs.

The FirstEnergy Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations within FirstEnergy's service areas, aiming to enhance community quality of life, workforce development, and safety initiatives. Grants are directed towards local economic development and volunteer efforts aligned with corporate interests. However, the Foundation does not fund individuals, political activities, or certain organizations, ensuring support is focused on broad community benefits. Interested applicants should consult local FirstEnergy management before applying.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Frederick, Maryland can apply for grants supporting arts and culture, civic affairs, education, health care, and human services. Grants from M & T Charitable Foundation help strengthen local quality of life through flexible community-focused funding, with requests accepted year-round and decisions made by local staff.

The Capital Food Bank Partnership Program invites not-for-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status to join in addressing food insecurity. Partners will receive essential food and health education materials to distribute within the Washington metropolitan area. Key eligibility requirements include a budget for food procurement, access to technology, and a designated food storage facility. The program aims to enhance community access to nutritious food while prioritizing partners based on regional needs.