Best Grants for Youth Programs in Maryland

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 organizational planning, leadership development, technology, and internal operations. Youth-serving organizations and programs for children, teens, and families may be especially competitive if they seek to strengthen long-term effectiveness.

BGE Charitable Contributions supports community enhancement through focused corporate giving in four key areas: building Exelon's future workforce, energy empowerment, local vitality enrichment, and equal access to arts and culture. By investing in diverse nonprofit organizations, BGE aims to create sustainable improvements in education, environmental conservation, and cultural access, fostering an inclusive environment that reflects the values and needs of the communities it serves.

Youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations working on educational outcomes and whole-child support in Maryland can apply for Comis Foundation grants, with awards from US $5,000 - US $75,000. Funding supports pilot programs, proof-of-concept projects, capacity building, innovation, and general operating support that help children and youth explore, learn, and thrive, including nationally reaching initiatives.

Focused on health, mental health, and public education, Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation invites Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply for support. Baltimore-area organizations serving youth may be eligible for programs improving school leadership and teaching, arts and STEM education, school climate, or community-based mental health and health access initiatives.

Nonprofits, government agencies, religious organizations, and civic groups in Maryland can apply for the Community Foundation of Frederick County’s Impact Grants; awards more than US $500 for community programs. Youth services organizations in Frederick County, including those focused on education, health, arts, and human services for young people, may be especially well-suited.

Youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maryland communities where Penn National Gaming operates can apply for Penn National Gaming Foundation grants to support education, human services, and youth-focused community development programs. Funding may benefit youth programs in Cecil County through initiatives in education, health, cultural affairs, and services for children and disadvantaged populations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations, government agencies, and fiscally sponsored projects serving Baltimore City can apply for Abell Foundation grants over More than US $10,000 to support youth and community initiatives. Funding can cover education, after-school and summer programs, health and human services, workforce development, arts, environment, and broader community development in Maryland.

Focused on youth services, Delaplaine Foundation invites Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits and 509(a) public institutions to seek support for programs serving children and young people. Funding can back cultural arts, education, health and mental health, human services, historical preservation, and spiritual enrichment initiatives, with priority for projects demonstrating long-term, measurable community benefits.

Nonprofit organizations serving youth and families in Maryland’s Archdiocese of Baltimore can apply for $10,000 - $45,000 to support arts, education, health care, and human services programs. The Marion I & Henry J Knott Foundation offers one-year General Fund grants via a Letter of Inquiry, plus smaller discretionary awards and invitation-only strategic initiatives.

The Drescher Foundation, established in 1989, is dedicated to enhancing community life in Harford County, Maryland. It provides support to nonprofit organizations focusing on health, education, and human services. The foundation prioritizes programs that improve quality of life through essential services, health initiatives, educational opportunities for youth, and cultural projects. Grants are available for tax-exempt organizations engaging in significant local activities, promoting community well-being and vibrancy.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits running youth, education, or community programs can apply for France-Merrick Foundation grants over More than US $50,000 to support one-time, project-based initiatives. Funding emphasizes capital and capacity-building projects in areas like K–12 education, workforce readiness, health, housing, and community development, primarily benefiting the Greater Baltimore area.

Maryland youth-serving organizations running violence prevention or Jewish education programs may be eligible for support, with a strong focus on greater Baltimore. Crane Family Foundation directs most remaining funds to Jewish education and a portion to youth violence prevention initiatives, offering a potential fit for youth programs working in these areas.

Youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations in Maryland can seek funding to strengthen youth programs, education, health, and human services. Focused on community impact, Kahlert Foundation invites nonprofits in areas like Baltimore City, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, and Howard counties to request support for capital projects, programs, or general operations that measurably improve quality of life.

Youth-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Maryland can seek more than US $2,500 to support health, hunger relief, or everyday hero initiatives that benefit children and teens. Wawa Foundation supports youth services in Maryland by funding pediatric health care, K–12 education and mentoring, food access programs, and efforts honoring and assisting first responders, military members, veterans, and other community heroes.

501(c)(3) public charities serving youth and families in Prince George’s or Montgomery County, Maryland can apply for Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation grants; awards US $10,000 - US $250,000 for programs. Funding may support youth development, academic success, after-school and summer programs, family services, and related community initiatives for vulnerable residents.

The Presser Foundation, established in 1939, offers grants between $2,500 and $50,000 to support music organizations across diverse genres. Focused on fostering music education and philanthropy, the Foundation seeks to empower non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. However, it does not fund theater or dance productions. Proposals are evaluated based on organizational accomplishments, community value, stability, and overall contributions to the music community.

Nonprofit music performance, presenting, and pre-collegiate music education organizations near Maryland can apply for Presser Foundation’s Special Projects Grants to support general operations or resilience efforts. The funder provides US $5,000 - US $25,000 for newly established groups or small organizations adapting to government funding or policy changes within its defined regional radius.

Maryland youth and adult education nonprofits can access funding through the Herb Block Foundation to run academic enrichment, after-school, mentoring, literacy, GED, and vocational training programs. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving the greater Washington, DC region in nearby Maryland counties may receive US $5,000 - US $25,000 for one year of programming.

Maryland youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups with budgets under $350,000 can receive five-year grants up to US $250,000 for Baltimore-based, youth-centered programming. Focused on youth services and development, Baltimore Children and Youth Fund prioritizes Baltimore City-based groups led by Black and Brown people and provides intensive capacity-building support alongside funding.

Nonprofit programs improving the health and welfare of children and youth in Baltimore City can access funding through the Thomas Wilson Foundation, with awards of US $2,500 - US $10,000. Grants support pediatric medical research, medical services, social and community services, educational programs, after-school and summer programs, and camps serving Baltimore City youth 18 or younger.

Maryland youth-serving nonprofits, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education can access funding through the Maryland State Department of Education to improve early intervention and special education services for children and youth with disabilities from birth through age 21. Projects should use evidence-based practices to advance equitable outcomes and build educator and leadership capacity in inclusive learning environments.

Rural-serving nonprofit organizations and community colleges in Maryland can seek funding to expand youth engagement, leadership development, and related rural development initiatives. With a mission to strengthen rural communities, Rural Maryland Council provides support for programs such as youth enrichment, career technology centers, and other projects that build capacity in agricultural, economic, and community development.

UNFCU Foundation

In 1947, UN members founded the United Nations Federal Credit Union with the goal of serving the financial needs of those who serve the world. Having learned more about the poverty and inequality that the UN witnessed every day, UNFCU was inspired to do more.

With the support of their membership and over 65 years of financial knowledge, UNFCU founded the UNFCU Foundation in 2015.

Grant Opportunities

We support projects that align with our mission to sustain the path out of poverty for women and youth. These projects must also help to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. To be eligible for funding, over 50% of the proposed project’s beneficiaries must be women or girls.

Areas of Focus

Our goal is to empower women and youth with fundamental human rights. To accomplish this, we accept grant applications for projects focused on education, livelihood training, and health care. Each year, we also select an additional strategic focus to deepen our philanthropic impact. This year, particular consideration will be given to projects who provide digital upskilling to economically vulnerable women and youth. Note: projects funding humanitarian relief efforts are by invitation only.

Education

Our education projects work to ensure everyone has the opportunity to grow, learn, and prosper. We look to empower girls and women through education so they can unleash their full potential within their community. We also educate boys on the critical role girls and women play in families and societies, to break down antiquated norms around gender.

We fund education projects that focus on the following:

• Reading, writing, and math programs
• Financial education, from budgeting to business planning
• GED training
• Child educational TV programming
• Digital advancements for remote learning

Livelihood Training

Our livelihood training projects create economic opportunities and job prospects for women so they can earn their own incomes.

Livelihood training equips women with the skills and experience they need to rise out of poverty permanently, and bring their families and communities along with them.

We fund livelihood training that focuses on the following:

• Computer skills training
• Customer service training
• Entrepreneurial strategies
• Seed money for new businesses
• Training in specific sectors, like farming

Health Care

We fund projects that ensure proper access to health care for women and girls, including reproductive care.

When women are at their healthiest, physically and emotionally, they can also succeed economically. No one should fear losing their job in order to take care of their physical or mental health.

We fund health care projects that focus on the following:

• Protecting reproductive rights
• Providing healthcare to homeless populations
• Providing access to free or low-cost care
• Providing mental health assistance
• Supporting emotional health and building self-esteem

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored programs focused on workforce and economic development can receive US $5,000 - US $20,000 to support operations or specific initiatives. Greenspring Advisors provides funding for job and skills training, internships, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, with special consideration for youth and underserved populations, alongside similar opportunities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Focused on after-school academic enrichment, the Maryland State Department of Education invites Maryland youth-serving organizations and schools to apply for the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center program. Grants of US $50,000 - US $400,000 support out-of-school-time learning, youth development, arts, STEM, and family literacy activities for students, especially those in low-performing schools.

Maryland 501(c)(3) nonprofits running community projects, including youth services and programs, can apply for the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Investment Tax Credits, awarding up to US $10,000 in state tax credit allocations. Eligible projects must be in or serve Priority Funding Areas in Maryland and help attract individual and business contributions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running youth education or workforce readiness programs in Maryland, especially Montgomery County, can seek US $5,000 - US $10,000 in general operating support. The Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation focuses on early childhood development, mentoring, and gainful employment opportunities for vulnerable youth and families in the Washington, D.C. metro region.