Best Grants for Rural Development in Maryland

The Comis Foundation Grant aims to provide equitable opportunities for children to thrive through education and community engagement. It supports innovative programs that enhance educational outcomes, focusing on areas such as capacity building and pilot projects. With funding ranging from $5,000 to $75,000, the foundation prioritizes nonprofit organizations that foster inclusive environments. By emphasizing trust and collaboration, Comis Foundation strives to create lasting impacts in the communities it serves.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

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.

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 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.

The Snee-Reinhardt Charitable Foundation Grant supports transformative programs in Pittsburgh and surrounding areas, focusing on arts, education, environmental health, and human services. With an emphasis on tangible outcomes, the foundation values projects that serve large community segments. Eligibility requires organizations to have 501(c)(3) status for three years, while ineligible requests include fiscal sponsorships and general operating expenses. The foundation prioritizes local initiatives, particularly from Southwestern Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia.

The Department of Natural Resources

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources leads the state toward a resilient future by using data, partnerships, and an innovative spirit to improve ecological, social, and economic outcomes for all communities.

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) is a nationally competitive grant program that provides funding to enhance recreation opportunities in rural and urban communities. ORLP’s funding helps communities to create new outdoor recreation spaces, reinvigorate existing parks, and form connections between people and the outdoors.

Recreation is core to the American experience. ORLP is making recreation attainable for more Americans funding an array of projects from sports fields and playgrounds to walking trails, and community gardens. Land acquisition, site development, or renovation of existing facilities are all possible ORLP projects. Projects are locally led and designed to meet pressing community needs.

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Program (ORLP) provides 50/50 matching grants for park projects in urban areas with a population of 25,000 or more, with a preference for projects in low-income communities. You can us​e this map to determine if your park is in an eligible location. The minimum grant amount is $300,000 ($600,000 project) and the maximum grant amount is $15,000,000 ($30,000,000 project​​). 

The Hansen Family Foundation Grant seeks to empower organizations that uphold the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Focused on diverse causes like children, education, animals, environmental conservation, humanitarian efforts, and arts, the foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that create positive change. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, while political campaigns and organizations with high budgets or overheads are ineligible. This grant fosters impactful contributions to society.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Maryland provides essential funding to support the development of vital community facilities in rural areas. Eligible projects can include healthcare centers, public safety facilities, and community support services. Grants are available to public bodies and nonprofit organizations, with funding levels based on median household income and population size. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life and economic viability in rural communities throughout the state.

The Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in Maryland, offered by USDA Rural Development, provide crucial funding for communities facing emergencies that compromise safe drinking water availability. Grants can cover up to $1,000,000 for constructing water sources or $150,000 for repairs to existing water transmission lines. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and federally recognized tribes. This program aims to restore access to clean water following natural disasters, thereby promoting public health and environmental sustainability.

The Region Grants Open Grant Round: Community Vitality, supported by Land O'Lakes Foundation, aims to enhance the vibrancy of dairy communities in the East and West Regions. With a total investment of $500,000 annually, grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 are available for organizations focused on rural development, education, and community resources. Eligible applicants must have a 501c3 status and serve specific geographic areas, ensuring support reaches those in need.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

 What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program, led by the Maryland Environmental Trust and partners, offers Community Stewardship Grants of up to $5,000. These grants focus on empowering schools and nonprofits to engage community members, particularly youth, in environmental education and stewardship. By fostering citizen involvement and innovative solutions, the program aims to address local environmental issues, promote awareness, and enhance community well-being through hands-on projects.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

Maryland's Rural Legacy Grant Program aims to protect large, contiguous tracts of land with rich natural and cultural resources from sprawl development. By fostering collaboration between state and local governments and land trusts, the program enhances farms and forests through the acquisition of easements and fee simple estates from willing landowners. Annual applications from local sponsors are reviewed by the Rural Legacy Advisory Committee, which makes funding recommendations to the Rural Legacy Board and ultimately to the Governor.

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 Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) aims to enhance the quality of life in rural Maryland by 2030 through strategic investments in economic and community development. The RMPIF MD Rural Agricultural Development Grant supports agriculture, which is vital to Maryland's economy, contributing $16.5 billion and over 73,000 jobs. This initiative fosters sustainable development while preserving the cultural heritage of rural areas, ensuring that local organizations can leverage additional resources for continued agricultural growth and agritourism.

The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) Grant supports rural-serving nonprofits and community colleges in enhancing agricultural education, economic development, and community initiatives. The fund aims to strengthen their capacity to tackle rural challenges and foster partnerships that leverage additional funding. Key focus areas include agriculture, energy efficiency, broadband expansion, youth leadership, and community development, ensuring targeted assistance for sustainable growth and innovation in rural Maryland.

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.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

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 enhance the quality of life in rural areas by 2030, focusing on economic and community development. It promotes investments in education and workforce initiatives, such as apprenticeships and STEM programs, to empower young adults to stay in their communities. The fund encourages collaboration among public and nonprofit organizations, ensuring sustainable development while preserving cultural heritage and rural lifestyles.

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.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Maryland aim to support small rural businesses through technical assistance and training. Eligible projects serve rural areas with populations under 50,000. Grants have no maximum limit; however, smaller requests receive priority. Funding types include Opportunity and Enterprise grants, focusing on community and economic development, feasibility studies, and training initiatives to foster growth in rural areas.