Best Financial Assistance Grants in Maryland

The Area Development Grant Program, managed by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), supports economic growth in Appalachia through investments in critical infrastructure and workforce development. Targeting 423 counties across 13 states, the program encourages local communities to collaborate with state governments to identify and implement impactful projects. Key focus areas include enhancing utilities, promoting entrepreneurship, and strengthening local leadership. This initiative aims to uplift the 26 million residents of Appalachia, fostering sustainable economic opportunities.

The Ausherman Family Foundation's Capacity Building Grant aims to enhance the effectiveness of nonprofits in Frederick County, Maryland. This grant supports various activities including strategic planning, leadership development, and technology improvements, ultimately strengthening organizations' capabilities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities located in Frederick County with a commitment to expanding their operations. The foundation prioritizes funding for initiatives benefiting children, families, health services, arts, and community development.

The Mecu Foundation Grant, established in 2009, aims to enhance financial education and literacy within the Baltimore community. It supports 501(c)(3) organizations that align with its mission, offering small grants to those dedicated to improving community welfare. Notable beneficiaries include Baltimore City Schools and various non-profits focused on educational initiatives. The foundation emphasizes the importance of community engagement and is a proud supporter of over 50 charitable organizations, fostering a culture of financial literacy and empowerment.

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 Lockhart Vaughan Foundation, established in 1990, provides grants to 501(c)(3) organizations in Baltimore, focusing on education, environment, and community development. New applicants must submit a Letter of Intent to outline their goals. The Foundation emphasizes childhood literacy, environmental improvements, and vibrant neighborhoods while prioritizing programs that foster high expectations and prevent summer learning loss. Eligible organizations should align with these strategic goals to secure funding.

The Lockhart Vaughan Foundation focuses on supporting 501(c)(3) organizations in Baltimore, Maryland, with a commitment to education, environment, and community development. Established in 1990, the foundation aims to enhance public education access, promote environmental sustainability, and foster vibrant neighborhoods through strategic grant-making. Applicants must submit a contact information form before applying, with an upcoming deadline for summer learning grants on February 20. The foundation prioritizes impactful initiatives that align with its goals.

The Help Our Neighbors Grant Program, initiated by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County, provides vital emergency assistance to individuals and families in need. Grants range from $500 to $1,000, aimed at covering essential expenses like rent, utilities, and food. To qualify, organizations must operate in Anne Arundel County and possess a 501(c)(3) designation. The program emphasizes addressing urgent financial needs to help maintain independence.

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers vital financial and technical assistance to agricultural and forestry producers in Maryland. It aims to address natural resource issues and enhance environmental quality. Participants can access conservation practices that lead to improved soil health, reduced pollution, and enhanced wildlife habitats. With continuous application acceptance until December 1, 2025, EQIP fosters sustainable agricultural practices while ensuring compliance with environmental standards, benefiting both producers and the ecosystem.

The France-Merrick Foundation Grant, focusing on Maryland's Greater Baltimore area, supports one-time, project-oriented requests exceeding $50,000. Prioritizing financial sustainability, the Foundation funds projects across civic, cultural, community, economic development, education, health, and environmental sectors. It emphasizes innovative collaborations to enhance community vitality and resilience while ensuring adherence to sustainable practices. Organizations must demonstrate 501(c)(3) status and financial stability, with a commitment to improving lives and strengthening neighborhoods through targeted initiatives.

The Watershed Assistance Grant Program, a collaboration between the Chesapeake Bay Trust and state agencies, aims to enhance water quality in Maryland and West Virginia. This initiative supports watershed restoration project designs and planning, enabling local governments and nonprofits to secure future funding for implementation. By fostering innovative planning efforts, the program assists in developing essential strategies like Green Infrastructure Plans and TMDL Implementation Plans, ultimately contributing to healthier watersheds and 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.

Environmental Education and Stewardship (Outcome 4)

Improve student and community ability to take action benefiting Chesapeake ecosystems through professional development and training, curriculum expansion, outdoor learning and stewardship.

What kind of projects are supported by Environmental Education and Stewardship?

Funding will be offered as available to support learning experiences and educational opportunities focused on environmental issue exploration and investigation leading to stewardship action. Funding supports two tracks for this funding program:

• Track One will focus on projects serving formal K-12 education systems, and
• Track Two will focus on projects serving communities or public education. Both tracks include proposals focused on local watershed and land-use issues, and should be based on sound environmental education principles.

Applicants should collaborate with the student or community that they will be working with to build capacity, engagement and stewardship. The project should address the needs of the community and include the voices of the community.

All projects should be located within Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

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.

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.

The MSAC Arts in Education Grant, offered by the Maryland State Arts Council, supports Maryland-based non-profit organizations and government entities through matching funds for educational programs led by Teaching Artists. This initiative aims to enhance arts education in schools and communities, ensuring financial support is available for engaging artistic experiences. By acting as a financial intermediary, MSAC streamlines payments to Teaching Artists, ensuring they receive the full budgeted amount while fostering a vibrant arts education ecosystem across Maryland.

The Kahlert Foundation Maryland Grant aims to enhance community well-being by supporting non-profit organizations focused on health care, education, youth programs, veteran services, and human services primarily in Maryland and Utah. Eligible organizations must have a valid 501(c)(3) status and a strong Guidestar rating. The foundation encourages innovative proposals that demonstrate measurable impact and community benefit, with a preference for those that address multiple areas of focus.

The National Trust Preservation Funds provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support local preservation projects and ongoing work. These funds aim to enhance community engagement in preservation, foster technical expertise, and stimulate financial participation from the private sector. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on planning and education efforts related to preservation. The program is particularly interested in initiatives that reach new audiences and further the preservation movement.

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.

The Fund for Change Grants support organizations advocating for social change, focusing on underserved communities. With an average grant size of $10,000-25,000, it funds initiatives in housing, behavioral health, criminal justice reform, and environmental justice. Eligible organizations can apply annually, but multi-year commitments are not available. The fund does not support capital campaigns, indirect costs, endowments, or individual scholarships, ensuring that funds are directed towards direct program expenses.

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.

The RMPIF MD Rural Health Care Grant aims to elevate living standards in rural Maryland by 2030, focusing on healthcare access and economic development. It supports initiatives that enhance health services, promote intergovernmental cooperation, and encourage entrepreneurship. The grant also addresses critical healthcare provider shortages and improves transportation for medical access, ensuring comprehensive support for rural health and community well-being.

The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) aims to elevate living standards in rural areas by 2030, preserving cultural heritage while fostering economic growth. It supports targeted investments in community development, entrepreneurial activities, and infrastructure improvements, including broadband and housing. By promoting intergovernmental cooperation and leveraging additional resources, RMPIF seeks to enhance the overall welfare and opportunities for residents across rural Maryland.

FY27 Aging-in-Place (AIP) Program

Program Authority and Purpose:

The Maryland Department of Aging (MDOA or Department) is pleased to issue this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the award of grants through a competitive process under the Aging-In-Place (AIP) Program, under the authority of and in accordance with the §10-1201 of the Human Services Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, amended by the Village Multigenerational Third Places Act (Senate Bill 530/House Bill 811), which shall take effect July 1, 2026. This funding opportunity aligns with the Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) multisector plan on aging and the Department’s commitment to supporting Marylanders to age with health, financial security, social connection, and purpose.

Like the rest of the country, Maryland is home to a population of older adults which will grow considerably over the next several decades. By 2030, nearly one out of every four Marylanders will be 60 years of age or older (census.gov). The majority of older adults want to age in their homes or have limited alternatives due to the high cost of institutional or assisted living options. The AIP funding opportunity enables older Marylanders to live in their homes and participate in a community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.

To provide the highest quality of care, it is essential that aging services are both person- centered and trauma-informed (PCTI) . Consequently, this FY27 funding opportunity prioritizes community-based organizations that provide essential programming, service coordination, and support within high-need areas. We are specifically seeking to reach low-income older adults facing the compounding challenges of declining health, social isolation, financial hardship, and language barriers. Integrating PCTI principles into the AIP model aims to rebuild the sense of security and stability necessary for Maryland's older adults to thrive within the communities we call home.

Description:

This funding opportunity aligns with MDOA’s Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) multisector plan on aging. Successful applicants will propose projects that address the following strategies from the plan:

• Increase awareness and adoption of the neighbor-helping-neighbor Village model;
• Recruit older volunteers and multigenerational volunteer teams into coordinated service opportunities;
• Increase the number of intergenerational volunteer opportunities;
• Expand AIP options by providing wraparound services that include health care, transportation, and social services in coordination with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Centers for Independent Living, Villages, and other community-based aging service providers;
• Increase access to home repair and modification programs that ensure safe and accessible home environments; 
• Leverage technology and community-based services to enhance transportation options and operability for older adults, especially in rural communities;
• Promote innovative opportunities to connect Marylanders across all ages through technology, programming, and community spaces; and
• Promote the adoption of initiatives that increase intergenerational connection to reduce age-related bias.

The Bartus Trew Providence Preservation Fund, established by a generous gift to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, supports local efforts to acquire and preserve historic landmarks on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Grants aid in the restoration and maintenance of culturally significant sites, fostering public awareness of heritage conservation. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations capable of matching funds. This initiative prioritizes the preservation of unique local history and heritage, ensuring its continuity for future generations.

The Battlefield Preservation Fund Grant aims to support initiatives that preserve battlefields and related historic sites. This funding encourages planning and educational efforts, particularly those that engage new audiences in preservation activities. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofits in specified states. Grants can be used for staff support, consultant fees, and educational materials. Applicants must provide a one-to-one match for funding, ensuring strong community involvement in preservation efforts.

The Delaplaine Foundation Grant is a private family foundation based in Frederick, Maryland, dedicated to enriching communities through support for non-profit organizations focused on cultural arts, education, health, historical preservation, and spiritual enlightenment. With a commitment to local impact, it primarily awards funding in Frederick County, while also considering applications from nearby states and beyond. Eligible organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt public charities under IRS regulations.

The Maryland Affordable Housing Trust, established in 1992, aims to enhance affordable housing availability across Maryland. Governed by a Board of Trustees, it utilizes interest from title company escrow to fund various initiatives. The Trust primarily supports households earning below 50% of the area or statewide median income by financing rental and ownership housing, assisting nonprofit developers, funding supportive services, and covering operational costs of housing developments.