Best Grants for Journalism in Maryland

The Ausherman Family Foundation offers General Grants for organizations seeking to fund operating, program, or project costs that align with their mission. Eligible applicants must serve Frederick County, MD residents and request a minimum of $2,500. Grants can include a challenge matching funds component, encouraging community support and engagement. However, in-kind and government funding cannot be counted as matching funds. This grant is an excellent opportunity for local organizations to enhance their services and impact.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Frederick County, Maryland can apply for Ausherman Family Foundation’s capacity building grants, awarding US $2,500 - US $25,000 for planning, leadership development, technology, and internal operations. Organizations working in areas like media arts, communications, or news media and journalism-related programming may be eligible if they meet the foundation’s focus and location criteria.

Costco Foundation provides Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on children, education, and health and human services with monetary support for community programs. Organizations with journalism initiatives that advance these priorities in local communities may be eligible. Applications are reviewed in 4–6 weeks, with decisions based on need, measurable outcomes, collaboration, and diversified funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations with innovative human services programs, including those in Maryland, can seek support for new approaches to social problems. Creag Foundation supports creative solutions across areas like health, community development, literacy, and public safety. Funding is by invitation only, but eligible groups may submit a letter of inquiry.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

Early-stage independent nonprofits and impact-first, mission-driven for-profits in Maryland tackling urgent social or environmental problems can access funding and support from the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. Focused on scalable, systems-level solutions for underserved communities, this opportunity may benefit journalism organizations whose innovative models can grow to reach at least 10,000 people and demonstrate measurable impact.

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment in Maryland and worldwide can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Grants from Cisco Systems Foundation help tech-enabled programs serving mostly economically underserved communities, including initiatives in digital skills, workforce readiness, and green jobs, that pilot innovative early-stage solutions.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

Nonprofits, social enterprises, schools, governments, and other eligible organizations working on education or youth-focused programs in Maryland can seek project or scaling support of more than US $50,000, as part of the foundation’s U.S. portfolio. Michael & Susan Dell Foundation supports initiatives benefiting urban low-income children, which may include journalism-related education efforts.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Maryland nonprofits and community organizations focused on health, education, or humanitarian services can access funding through Semnani Family Foundation to support marginalized and vulnerable populations. Programs addressing healthcare access, women and children’s health, disabilities, literacy, or disaster relief may be eligible, alongside broader human and social services work in the U.S. and internationally.

Journalism and media nonprofits in Maryland seeking support for charitable, educational, scientific, or medical-related work can apply for funding used within the U.S. Grants from Sidney Stern Memorial Trust help 501(c)(3) organizations with programs that are well-managed, broadly serve their target populations, and materially contribute to the general welfare.

Maryland 501(c)(3) organizations active for over three years can seek funding for programs such as education, children and families, poverty relief, medical assistance, disaster relief, veterans’ issues, and related services. The Robinson Foundation supports single-year, Southern U.S.–serving projects with tangible, meaningful impact; facilities and capital projects are not funded.

Diverse 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in Maryland can seek funding for community services, environmental conservation, or peacebuilding projects through the Dudley T Dougherty Foundation. This national funder supports nonprofits that respect people, life, and the environment, which may include journalism initiatives connected to community or environmental issues.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and local government entities in Maryland communities near Georgia-Pacific facilities can seek funding for education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental initiatives. Focused on strengthening Georgia-Pacific communities, Georgia-Pacific Foundation invites eligible groups to propose projects that enhance long-term well-being and sustainability and may include journalism-related community programming.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maryland located within 15 miles of a TJX store, distribution center, or office can seek funding for basic needs, at-risk youth enrichment, workforce readiness, and safety from domestic violence. The TJX Foundation supports programs that help vulnerable families and children build better futures, which may include youth media or journalism-related initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries seeking support for environmental or human services work in Maryland can apply for Lawrence Foundation’s unrestricted program or operating grants, typically ranging from US $5,000 - US $10,000. Grants from Lawrence Foundation help Maryland journalism organizations that also work in these areas cover project or general operating needs within its stated priorities.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, including those in Maryland, can seek funding for community programs, education, arts, health facilities, environmental and wildlife efforts, and services for youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers US $1,000 - US $20,000, which may benefit organizations with journalism-related outreach or education components.

The Spark Good: Strengthening Community Local Grants program by the Wal-Mart Foundation empowers local organizations through grants ranging from $250 to $5000. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare by supporting diverse projects, including animal shelters and educational programs. Eligible organizations must have a verified Spark Good account, ensuring funds are allocated effectively to meet local needs and foster community development. Together, we can create lasting impacts through small yet significant actions.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving residents of Charles, Montgomery, or Prince George's counties can seek US $30,000 - US $75,000 for one-time capital, equipment, or other project needs in health, education, arts, or community endeavors. With a mission to strengthen the Washington, D.C., metro area, Philip L. Graham Fund provides flexible support that may benefit journalism-related community organizations.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for education, social services, health care, civic, cultural, or environmental programs can access funding via Dr Scholl Foundation, with typical awards of US $5,000 - US $25,000. Journalism or media organizations structured as eligible charities may apply for one year of project-focused support during the annual October–March cycle.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits can receive storytelling support to showcase impactful work in preservation, education, or wellness, including wildlife conservation, from the Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation. Maryland journalism and media nonprofits whose projects advance these pillars may be eligible if they focus on documenting community impact or conservation stories.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving economic stability, health, workforce readiness, or disaster relief in Maryland communities where O’Reilly Auto Parts operates may be eligible for project, operating, or capital support. O'Reilly Automotive Foundation supports programs serving underserved individuals and families, including hunger, homelessness, literacy, early childhood development, mental health, and related social services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maryland working on youth education, food insecurity, housing support, or environmental stewardship can apply for Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, offering US $30,000 - US $350,000 for community programs. Journalism organizations with qualifying youth or community-focused initiatives may be eligible.

Nonprofit organizations addressing poverty, disability, social exclusion, or disaster relief can apply for Gupta Family Foundation’s US $5,000 - US $250,000 grants to help disadvantaged people become self-reliant. Grants from Gupta Family Foundation help Maryland journalism organizations that also provide such human and social services, and meet its revenue, location, and non-sectarian criteria, access significant program support.