Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in Maryland

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Central Maryland can seek support for STEM education, workforce preparation, environmental stewardship, community development, and arts access initiatives. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Baltimore Gas and Electric provides grants to programs that improve quality of life, including mentoring and tutoring efforts that build Exelon’s future workforce.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving children’s health, education, development, and welfare in Maryland and beyond can seek funding for youth-focused programs, including mentoring and enrichment. The Dan Paul Foundation offers up to US $15,000 for initiatives such as child advocacy, early childhood development, homelessness and poverty services, refugee enrichment, and related workshops or scholarships.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

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.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on early childhood education, community development, or services for low- and moderate-income residents can access funding through PNC Foundation. Grants support early learning, affordable housing, small business assistance, arts and culture, and other community services, and may benefit mentoring and tutoring components within these programs in PNC presence communities.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Bank of America Foundation Sponsorship Program aims to enhance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. This initiative focuses on critical areas such as workforce education, basic needs like food and housing, and community development. The Foundation invested $350 million last year and encourages employee volunteerism and giving, supporting nonprofits in various sectors, including arts, culture, and diversity initiatives.

Nonprofits, schools, government units, and places of worship in Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore offering workforce training, scholarships, or mentoring programs can apply for up to US $7,500 to support professional and career development. Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore prioritizes programs with occupational education, internships, pre-apprenticeships, leadership development, and services for people with disabilities and students.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits in Maryland can receive support to tell powerful stories about their preservation, education, or wellness work. Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation’s Storytelling Grant funds communications that highlight impact, which may benefit mentoring and youth development programs within its education and wellness pillars. Awards are more than US $50,000.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking support for community services or fundraising events may be eligible for grants or event sponsorships, including mentoring-related programs. Insperity supports organizations connected to its employees, client base, or local communities through philanthropic contributions and sponsorships, with applications reviewed in about 45 days and limited to one request per year.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Baltimore, Maryland can seek funding for K–12 education, early childhood development, after-school, and summer learning programs that support student success. Grants from Lockhart Vaughan Foundation help Maryland tutoring and mentoring initiatives focused on literacy, school readiness, and challenging motivated public school students, as well as related community development and environmental projects in Baltimore.

Baltimore 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth education, mentoring, after-school, or summer learning programs can apply for grants supporting K–12 achievement and early childhood development in Maryland. Grants from Lockhart Vaughan Foundation also back community development and visible greening and watershed projects, so organizations blending mentoring with neighborhood or environmental initiatives may be competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and local government entities near Georgia-Pacific facilities can seek funding for education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental programs in Maryland. Focused on community impact, Georgia-Pacific Foundation invites Maryland tutoring and mentoring initiatives that align with its priorities and serve communities within 30 miles of a GP manufacturing facility.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maryland working in health, hunger relief, or support for everyday heroes can seek more than US $2,500 to expand their programs. Wawa Foundation supports pediatric health, food access, and initiatives for military, veterans, first responders, and at-risk K–12 youth, which can include mentoring-focused efforts within its six-state service area.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, public schools, and libraries in Maryland can seek funding for environmental and human services programs, including mentoring-related work, through the Lawrence Foundation; awards range from US $5,000 - US $10,000. Grants are unrestricted and may support either general operating needs or specific projects, with reasonable indirect costs allowed.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maryland that address basic needs, community vitality, or volunteer-driven causes can apply for Ameriprise Community Grants, which fund hunger relief, shelter, housing stability, and adult self-sufficiency programs. With a mission to strengthen communities, Ameriprise Financial provides U.S. nonprofits with support for economic development, arts access, and volunteer-engaged initiatives that may include mentoring components.

Maryland nonprofits running mentoring, tutoring, or education programs for youth or adults in the greater Washington, DC region can access funding through the Herb Block Foundation’s Pathways Out of Poverty Grant. Awards of US $5,000 - US $25,000 support in-school or community-based programs, after-school mentoring, literacy, GED preparation, vocational training, and job placement services.

Nonprofits and eligible agencies in Frederick County, Maryland that run programs empowering women 18 and older can apply for Community Foundation of Frederick County Maryland grants, with awards from US $1,000 - US $40,000. Funding can support mentoring, workforce development, education, housing stability, transportation, childcare, and financial literacy to promote women’s self-sufficiency.

Maryland local school systems and their partners can receive funding to recruit and train school-based employees to become licensed teachers while they continue working in Maryland schools. The Maryland State Department of Education supports formal collaboratives covering tuition, books, fees, and mentor support in exchange for a three-year service commitment in high-needs teaching roles.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Maryland serving youth and families through mentoring, education, housing, food security, or environmental programs can apply for Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, with grants of US $30,000 - US $350,000. U.S.-based nonprofits and equivalent charities in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore may be eligible for this community-impact funding.

Nonprofit organizations offering experiential, curriculum-aligned educational programs for Maryland students can access funding for activities like mentoring, tutoring, and enriched field trips. Maryland State Department of Education supports programs that provide one-on-one support, free or reduced admission, and other learning experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom.

Nonprofit organizations in Maryland with strong, replicable community partnerships may be eligible for the Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award, which honors exemplary collaborations addressing significant social issues across the U.S. Recognized partnerships can include mentoring and tutoring initiatives that unite public, private, and social sector leaders as equal partners to improve communities.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations supporting early childhood education, mentoring, youth leadership, or job readiness in Maryland can apply for US $5,000 - US $10,000 in general operating support. Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation supports tutoring and mentoring efforts, especially those helping vulnerable youth and families in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, including Montgomery County.