Best Frederick Grants for Nonprofits in Maryland

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 providing services to needy elderly persons can apply for $1,000 - $10,000 in program or general operating support, including in Frederick, Maryland. With a mission to aid aged persons in need, the Helen Wardman Naselli Memorial Fund prioritizes organizations in the Washington, DC metropolitan area that operate old people’s homes or similar elder care institutions.

About the Community Foundation of Washington County

The Community Foundation of Washington County serves as vehicle for philanthropy and a powerful force in improving the quality of life in Washington County. We partner with individuals, families and businesses to create or donate to funds that meet their charitable goals and provide for the causes they care about the most. 

The Community Foundation of Washington County, MD offers more than 100 scholarships for graduating high school students and non-traditional students in continuing education. Hood College Waltersdorf-Henson Scholarship Endowment Fund

A fund of the Waltersdorf-Henson Endowment Challenge for scholarships to benefit qualified students who attend Hood College from the Community Foundation’s service area, with an emphasis on Washington County.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Care professionals seeking education in a care-related field can receive scholarship support for tuition at federally accredited institutions, including those living or working in Frederick, Maryland. Grants from Jean Griswold Foundation help caregivers enhance their training, advance their careers, and better serve clients through the Winter 2026 scholarship program, with awards ranging from US $500 - US $2,000.

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.

The Marion I. and Henry J. Knott Foundation offers grants to support various program areas, including Arts & Humanities, Catholic Activities, Education, Health Care, and Human Services. With a commitment to enhancing community well-being, the foundation provides funding opportunities primarily for organizations serving the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Typical grant amounts are under $100,000, with discretionary grants available on a rolling basis. The foundation is dedicated to fostering education and supporting those in need, reflecting the legacy of its founders.

Frederick, Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing community services or basic human needs can access funding through Shepherd University Foundation via Women Investing in Shepherd. Two high-impact community grants of US $36,625 each support urgent needs, bold new ventures, or innovative approaches, for projects serving Frederick County residents and completed within three years.

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 Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington connects donors with high-impact nonprofits in the D.C. area, promoting local charities through educational support and visibility. Though not a grant-maker, their partnerships help organizations raise significant funds, enhancing community engagement. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) registered, with budgets between $100,000 and $4 million, and based in the greater Washington region. This initiative facilitates development opportunities without financial obligations, showcasing impactful stories through various marketing channels.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations advancing early childhood education or community economic development in Frederick, Maryland can seek funding to expand programs for low- and moderate-income children, families, and neighborhoods. With a mission to strengthen communities, PNC Foundation provides support for early learning, affordable housing, small business assistance, arts, and community revitalization where PNC has a significant presence.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing health and human services or civic programs within 100 miles of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, including Frederick, Maryland, can seek project, operating, capital, equipment, or last-resort support. Grants from Stewart Huston Charitable Trust favor programs addressing clear community needs and leveraging other funding and volunteer involvement.

​​​​​​​​​​​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 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 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.

IDEA Collaborative Grants

Ongoing Support for Black-Led Nonprofits in Frederick.

The IDEA Collaborative Grant is a new 12-month funding opportunity designed to support meaningful, outcomes-driven partnerships between Black-led nonprofit organizations addressing a clearly defined community issue. The grant emphasizes capacity building and a growth mindset, encouraging hands-on collaboration specifically among Black-led organizations.

Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to attend a virtual information session on July 21, 2026, where Foundation staff will provide an overview of the application process and timeline.

Grants will be awarded in November 2026 for programming and collaboration to take place in 2027. Two grants of $40,000-$60,000 each will be awarded to two separate collaborative efforts. Support from a consultant will be available to help shape the collaborative structure during the application process.

Projects must align with AFF’s key focus areas:

• Youth, Children & Families
• Public & Society Benefit
• Health & Human Services
• Arts & Culture

With a mission to support education, health care, humanitarian services, and vulnerable populations, Gratis Foundation provides Frederick, Maryland nonprofits with project funding. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Frederick County working on areas like at-risk youth, food pantries, animal welfare, military family support, or religious and community services may apply during the appropriate annual application windows.

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.

The Bloedorn Foundation offers annual grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving vulnerable children and at-risk citizens in the Washington D.C. area. The foundation focuses on enhancing community well-being through various initiatives, including education, job training, and health support. Grants are awarded after thorough vetting of applicants, ensuring that resources are directed towards efforts that significantly improve the quality of life for those in need.

The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) Grant aims to enhance living standards in rural areas of Maryland by 2030. The Fund supports targeted investments in economic and community development initiatives, fostering regional cooperation and leveraging additional resources. Key objectives include boosting entrepreneurship, reducing unemployment, preserving agricultural land, and improving essential infrastructure such as housing and broadband services. This initiative is vital for promoting the overall well-being of rural communities across the state.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations seeking funding for tangible items in arts, education, environment, health, human services, religion, and related areas in Frederick, Maryland may be eligible for up to US $10,000. The Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation prioritizes communities in its broader region, including parts of Maryland, for community-serving projects with clear, concrete benefits.

Nestlé Purina Animal Welfare Grants focus on enhancing the well-being of pets and their owners through monetary donations to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt pet welfare organizations in the U.S. These grants support capacity building, capital improvements, and spay/neuter funding. The program aims to strengthen relationships between pets and people, particularly in communities near Nestlé Purina facilities, ensuring that both pets and their owners thrive together.

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.

The Innovation Grants to Nurture Initial Translational Efforts (IGNITE) program, supported by the National Institutes of Health, aims to fund pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies. These studies will assess the biological activity of therapeutic agents, including small molecules and biologics, for diseases prioritized by participating institutes. The initiative emphasizes the development of non-opioid analgesics with minimal addiction risks. Although applications are not currently solicited, this notice encourages potential applicants to prepare collaborative projects.