Six Grants Open Right Now to Support Maryland’s Historic and Cultural Organizations

by | May 1, 2020

The preservation community is coming together to support essential operations and programming of Maryland’s cultural and historic organizations during the Covid-19 pandemic. Make the most of Preservation Month, Maryland – by sharing and applying for these grants.

Update: These grants are now closed for 2020. Please check with each organization for future deadlines.

MARYLAND HUMANITIES
CARE ACT EMERGENCY GRANTS
DUE MAY 11, 2020
GRANT GRANGE $5,000 TO $10,000

Maryland Humanties LogoAs part of the CARES Act, the National Endowment for the Humanities received $75 million to protect at-risk humanities positions and projects. Maryland Humanities is the official distribution hub of this emergency federal funding. This grant has a very fast turnaround in order to get the funds out as quickly as possible.

FROM THE GRANT

We are now accepting applications to our $500,000 CARES Act Emergency Relief Grants Fund. The goal of this new fund is to help sustain Maryland’s infrastructure to ensure that organizations can continue to provide opportunities for public humanities programming and civic learning in Maryland’s diverse communities during this unprecedented time. Grants will support nonprofit general operating expenses. Eligible nonprofit organizations include: museums, historic sites, preservation and historical societies, and community and cultural organizations with a significant humanities focus.

GRANT DETAILS & ONLINE APPLICATION


MARYLAND HERITAGE AREA AUTHORITY
COVID-19 EMERGENCY OPERATING GRANTS
ACCEPTED ON A ROLLING BASIS
GRANTS UP TO $20,000

Maryland Heritage Area LogoOrganizations in any of Maryland’s State Heritage Areas are eligible to apply for emergency funding from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority, including for operating expenses. The funding for this quickly-enacted grant opportunity comes from Program Open Space.

FROM THE GRANT

Nonprofit heritage tourism organizations located within the boundaries of a Certified Heritage Area that are experiencing disruption of operations due directly to the economic implications and ramifications of the State of Emergency declared on March 5, 2020. Operating costs associated with the COVID-19 State of Emergency, beginning March 5, 2020 and extending until 90 days after the end of the State of Emergency. Operating costs include any expenses that allow an organization to continue operations and to safeguard heritage resources during and after the pandemic, including, but not limited to, staff salaries, utilities, insurance, contractor services, rent and mortgage payments.

ACCESS GRANT GUIDELINES & ONLINE APPLICATION HERE

 


Baltimore National Heritage Area
Heritage Investment Grant Program
Due JUNE 19, 2020
Grant RANGE $5,000 to $15,000

Baltimore National Heritage Area Logo Eligible entities in the Baltimore National Heritage Area can use this funding for operation expenses, programming, interpretation, and planning.

FROM THE GRANT

The Baltimore Heritage Area Association, the management entity of the Baltimore National Heritage Area, manages the Heritage Investment Grant program. This grant is a source of Federal funding designed to provide small, but strategic investments in cultural heritage tourism projects and organizations within the boundaries of the heritage area. The Heritage Investment Grant provides funds for non-capital projects. Eligible projects must address or complete a priority activity identified in and consistent with the goals, objectives, strategies, and actions outlined in the 2013 Baltimore National Heritage Area Comprehensive Management Plan.

GRANT DETAILS

 


MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST
AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE PRESERVATION PROGRAM GRANTS
DUE JULY 1, 2020

Maryland Historical TrustThe African American Heritage Preservation Program was established 10 years ago by the Maryland General Assembly and is administered by the Maryland HIstorival Trust and the Maryland Commission on African American Heritage and Culture. A series of webinars will be held this month for all those looking for more information and guidance in applying.

FROM THE GRANT

Grants are competitively awarded for construction projects on properties important to African American history and culture in Maryland. The application must be submitted through our online grant application portal. The program typically receives an annual appropriation of $1,000,000 for grants of up to $100,000 per project per year.  All applicants except for nonprofit organizations are required to provide a dollar-for-dollar match.

Grant Guidelines & Online Application

 


PRESERVATION MARYLAND & MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST
HERITAGE FUND
DUE SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
UP TO $10,000

The Heritage Fund is a long-time stable source of preservation funding. Created in the late 1990s, the program, a joint effort of Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust has granted out over $1.4 million in direct financial assistance to 430 projects all across Maryland. There are two grant rounds each year and can be used for capital and non-capital expenses.

FROM THE GRANT

The Heritage Fund provides direct assistance for the protection of endangered cultural resources and promotes innovative education projects that can inform best practices across the state. Historic sites, buildings, districts, objects, and archaeological resources are all eligible for funding. Non-profit organizations and local jurisdictions are eligible to apply. Eligible projects fall into three general categories: education and research, planning and feasibility, and repair and rehabilitation.

Grant Details and Online Application


PRESERVATION MARYLAND, MARYLAND HISTORICAL TRUST, BALTIMORE HERITAGE, BALTIMORE CITY CHAP
BALTIMORE CITY HISTORIC PRESERVATION FUND
DUE OCTOBER 16, 2020
GRANT RANGE $1,000 TO $10,000

The partner organizations associated with this grant program, only in its second year, recently extended the deadline in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the needs of potential applicants. All interested parties are encouraged to contact Preservation Maryland to discuss their project and application before getting started.

FROM THE GRANT

Funds for the grant program are provided by the Baltimore Community Foundation. The fund’s goal is to provide direct assistance for capital and non-capital activities that advance efforts to preserve historically significant properties in the City of Baltimore. Tax-exempt organizations performing work in the City of Baltimore are eligible to apply for recommended grant requests of $1,000-$10,000. Projects must take place in the City of Baltimore. A special focus of this initiative is to support projects that not only preserve structures but are also important to neighborhood identity and contribute to the revitalization of communities. Projects eligible for the competitive grant funds include, but are not limited to, rehabilitation work of historic materials, preparation of National Register nominations, educational, research, and planning efforts related to preservation efforts.

GRANT DETAILS & ONLINE APPLICATION

Preservation Maryland is Maryland’s first and largest organization dedicated to preserving the state’s history and heritage. Are you a member?

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