Grants From Other Organizations

Recent Grant Opportunities

Applications Now Open for the FY27 Museum Assistance Program Grants

The Maryland Historical Trust is now accepting applications for FY27 Museum Assistance Program grants. These grants will provide operational support to Maryland’s historical and cultural museums, helping them strengthen the day-to-day activities that keep museums stable, sustainable, and ready to serve their communities. Application Deadline: October 6.

Exploring and Enhancing Outdoor and Heritage Tourism in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

NPS Chesapeake Gateways is offering this competitive grant opportunity to strengthen a community’s ability to offer or enhance outdoor recreation and natural, historical, and cultural tourism that connects visitors and residents to the Chesapeake Bay watershed as detailed in the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998. The minimum award is $10,000, and the maximum is $50,000. Closing: November 4, 2026

Maryland Maritime Heritage Grant Program

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with Preservation Maryland, has announced the new Maryland Maritime Heritage Grant Program. This program provides funding to support projects that preserve, promote, and celebrate Maryland’s rich maritime history — from historic vessels and working waterfronts to cultural traditions and community landmarks. The deadline for this grant is October 3, 2025.

2027 Chesapeake Gateways Grants

The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways program is accepting applications through November 4, 2026. Grants support projects that connect communities with the Chesapeake Bay’s natural, cultural, historic, and recreational resources. Applicants must be active or aspiring members of the Chesapeake Gateways Network. The application period is open through November 4, 2026. Grant proposals can support projects that link tourism with economic development ($25,000 to $50,000) or projects that support community events ($10,000-$25,000).

Arts & Humanities Grants

The Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) offers a number of grant opportunities for non-profit organizations in Montgomery County. Grants that may be particularly relevant to heritage area partners include:

Project Grants to Small Arts & Humanities Organizations: $1,000 – $5,000; two grant rounds, one in January with the second date TBD; no required match

General Operating Support Grants to Mid-Size Arts & Humanities Organizations: $5,000 – $25,000; one grant round in February; 100% match required, 50% of which must be cash

Capital Improvement Grants: $25,000 – $250,000 for projects including construction, repairs, or renovations; one grant round in December; 100% match required, 50% of which must be cash

All grant applicants must complete a Data Profile through the Cultural Data Project website.

Guidelines and application information can be found at:
https://creativemoco.com/grants/

Montgomery County Government Grants

Montgomery County Council Grants and Montgomery County Executive Collaboration Grants offer funding opportunities for local organizations. Online applications are due in January.

For information on Council Grants:
https://montgomerycountymd.gov/ogm/

For information on County Executive Community Collaboration Grants:
www.montgomerycountymd.gov/exec/grants/grant-faqs.html

Montgomery County Historic Preservation

Montgomery County Historic Preservation Commission offers grants to non-profit organizations and municipalities to help finance local non-capital historic preservation projects in the county.

http://montgomeryplanning.org/planning/historic/

Preservation Maryland Heritage Fund

Preservation Maryland provides direct assistance for the protection of historical and cultural resources and promotes innovative demonstration projects that can be successfully replicated to meet Maryland’s historic preservation needs. The Fund is intended to serve the needs of tangible cultural resources in Maryland. Historic sites, buildings, districts, objects, and archaeological resources are eligible for funding.

Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000 and are reviewed and awarded by the Heritage Fund Selection Committee in two rounds each year.

Guidelines and applications are available at:
https://preservationmaryland.org/our-work/hf/

Maryland Humanities Council Grants

The Maryland Humanities Council, a statewide nonprofit organization that uses the humanities to stimulate and promote informed dialogue and civic engagement on critical issues, offers two types of grant funding.

Major Grants of up to $10,000 are awarded twice a year, with letters of inquiry due in March and September.
Opportunity Grants of up to $1,200 are selected three times a year with application deadlines on March 1, July 1, and November 1.
https://www.mdhumanities.org/grants/