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Montgomery County
Grant Opportunities Newsletter

December 5, 2024

The Montgomery County Grant Opportunities Newsletter provides grant seeking stakeholders with a concrete schedule of new, currently open, and soon to be launched grant programs as well as status updates for closed grant programs.  The newsletter also highlights the Office of Grants Management (OGM) events, non-County grant opportunities, and other events/news items of interest to grant seeking stakeholders.  For a long-term projection of County grant programs, download the most up-to-date version of the FY25 Grant Program Forecast.

County Nonprofit and Community Events

• OGM’s First Monthly Forum Today at 11:00 AM: OGM will host its first community forum today at 11:00 AM. This event will be virtual, will be recorded, is expected to last one hour, and will be repeated roughly the first week of each month.  At this first event OGM will provide updates on the Office operations (including a new grant management platform), plans for the new calendar year, preview upcoming grant programs, and open up for questions.  The link above can be used to join the event live or to view its recording.  The slide deck will be posted on the OGM homepage after the event.
• Community Resource Fair December 8, 2024 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Executive Office Building (101 Monroe Street) in Rockville: Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson, Vice President Kate Stewart, Councilmembers and County Executive Marc Elrich are inviting community service providers and residents to join the United in Service and Support Community Resource Fair on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Executive Office Building in Rockville. In light of changes coming at the federal level, Montgomery County is committed to ensuring that all residents have access to information about essential community services. This free Montgomery County resource fair will provide residents with a wide range of information about public health and wellness, including reproductive rights; job skills training and contracting; and available resources so residents understand their rights.

Status of Closed, but not Awarded, Grant Programs

• FY25 Low and Middle Income (LMI) Electrification Grant Program: DEP reviewed all proposals and responses have been sent to all applicants encouraging, discouraging, or noting ineligibility for the second application stage. The second stage, open to applicants determined as eligible at Stage 1, will close December 19, 2024 at 11:59 PM

• FY25 Nonprofit Security Grant Program: Roughly 20 reviews remain (out of 357).  Once these are complete OEMHS and OGM will then process the review results into award recommendations.

• FY25 EquiCare - Subsidy Seats Grant Program: Final awards have been approved and applicants should expect a response this week.

• FY24 Cost Sharing Capital Grants (CSCG): State Matched applications, both Arts and Non-Arts have been reviewed, scored, and results posted at the link above. Non-State Matched CSCG are still pending review due to similar problems with the FY24 Community Grants program and a shortage of available reviewers.  OGM is working with other County stakeholders to identify and recruit reviewers for the remaining applications for this grant program.

• FY24 Community Project Fund (CPF) Q3/Q4: OGM has been compiling additional funding to increase the number of awards and will send recommended results to the CAO by the end of the week. Award decisions are expected next week.

Non-County Funding Opportunities

• Montgomery County Job Creation Fund: Rolling applications accepted; Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Employers based in Montgomery County that are company headquarters or national nonprofit organizations or who are in the targeted categories of Life sciences, advanced technology, cybersecurity, quantum computing or hospitality may be eligible for up to $500,000 in grant funding to create jobs and support their growth and expansion. Read the Montgomery County Blog Update about the opportunity.
• Maryland Solar Access Program Grants for Residential Solar Systems: The program will accept Step 1 applications for Reservation Certificates in January 2025. There is no closing date as it will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. These grants will provide up to $7,500 (at $750/kW) for new household solar PV systems. Eligibility is limited to households with a total income that does not exceed 150% of the statewide area median income. The application requires two phases, including an initial application to reserve funds. Please read the FAQs .
• Medici Road Renew America (Energy Efficient Buildings) Grant Program: Phase I Eligibility applications due December 6, 2024. Local nonprofits may apply for subgrants to improve their infrastructure to meet Energy Star Certification standards while pursuing their racial equity goals. Applicants must own their own buildings and be in need of energy updates, and have a focus on racial equity and DEIA or serve disadvantaged populations. Grants may be up to $200,000. There is a required 20% minimum cash cost-share. Funding is from the US Department of Energy. 
• The Home Depot’s Veterans Housing Grants: Applications due December 13, 2024, March 21, 2025, or July 3, 2025. Nonprofit organizations that meet specific criteria are welcome to apply for support for construction or rehabilitation of housing for veterans (at or below 80% AMI). Awards typically range from $100,000 to $500,000, and cost-share must be at least 50%.  
• Maryland MEA Energy Efficiency Equity Grant Program:  Applications due January 16, 2025. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) welcomes applications from nonprofits registered in MD for energy efficiency projects (retrofits and upgrades to new and existing construction). Projects and related activities must benefit Maryland residents experiencing low and moderate income. MEA energy programs are focusing on electrification and zero direct emissions technologies. The minimum request is  $9,500 and the maximum is not set.  
• Teiger Foundation Contemporary Visual Arts Grants: Applications due January 28, 2025. 501(c)(3) cultural and community organizations and/or curators are welcome to apply for public arts projects or curatorial, programming, research, or development support. Register for information sessions on December 5, 2024 or January 9, 2025. Applicants may indicate interest in the  Climate Action for Curators Program when applying.
• Maryland MEA Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural FY25 Grant Program (Energy Savings): Grants are on a first-come, first-served basis; the application deadline is February 14, 2024. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) welcomes applications from eligible applicants including facility owners that operate businesses (registered corporations, LLPs, LLCs, GPs, etc.) or non-profit entities operating in specific areas. Grant funds can be used to accelerate investment into clean, energy-efficient building technologies by defraying their installation cost in existing or new facilities, agricultural facilities, or combined heat & power. Grants can also support displacement of fossil-fuel use in commercial, industrial, or agricultural facilities. Awards typically range from $100,000 to $250,000 per project, with a maximum of $400,000. Cost-share is at least 25%. 
• USDA Community Wildfire Defense Grant (Northeast-Midwest): Applications due February 28, 2025. Nonprofit organizations including homeowner associations can apply for support to plan for and mitigate risks created by wildfire. Projects may be conducted on state, local, or tribal lands, private lands, or on homeowner association-owned lands. The maximum grant is $250,000 for creation or updating of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan, or up to $10 million for a project within a protection plan. Webinars are available on December 2, 4, and 6, 2024. 
• Maryland MEA FY25 Commercial Solar Grant Program: Grants are on a first-come, first-served basis; the application deadline is March 31, 2024. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) welcomes applications from nonprofits or state-registered business located in or serving LMI overburdened/underserved populations. Funds may be used to purchase solar PV systems (applicant-owned or third-party owned). The maximum grant is $500,000. Cost-share varies from 50% to 75% or by maximum kW allowance. 
• Environmental Justice Thriving Community Grantmaking Program – EPA Region 3: NEW DEADLINE: 2-year grant deadline has been extended to December 30; 1-year grants open until April 30, 2025. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through its Region 3 partner Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI), is accepting grant applications across a wide range of environmental justice issues: air and water pollution, food access, stormwater, asbestos, pesticides and toxic substances, healthy and efficient homes, cleanups, climate and health risks, GHG workforce development, training, climate resiliency and adaptation, engagement of disadvantaged groups into federal and state processes, and more. Nonprofits, local and tribal governments and consortia, Native American Organizations, and Institutions of Higher Education may apply. The maximum grant varies by tier: Tier 1 Assessment - $150,000 and 1 year; Tier 2 Planning - $250,000 and 1-2 years; Tier 3 Implementation - $350,000 and 2 years. 
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Chesapeake and Coastal Grants Gateway: Applications due December 13, 2024. Non-profits organizations, For-profit entities, Private lands, and/or Schools may be eligible to apply for support from four different programs. Outcome 1: Non-point source pollution reduction projects (Minimum grant of $500,000). Outcome 2: Reducing flood risks, through planning or studies (Maximum grant of $125,000). Outcome 3: Habitat restoration to address erosion and flooding (Design/Permitting grants range of $30,000-$100,000; Construction grant range of $200,000-$1.5M). Outcome 4: Student and community professional development, training, curriculum expansion, outdoor learning, or stewardship (Maximum grant of $100,000). 
• NASA Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES): 2-step proposal process - Notices of intent due February 14, 2025; Proposals due March 14, 2025. NASA Earth Science Division seeks proposals for projects that apply Earth observations to improve or develop decision-making activities in ecological conservation and management. Award size will be based on project scope. There is an Informational Webinar for potential proposers on November 15, 2024.
• 2025 Community Science (Heat) Partner Awards: Proposals due January 17, 2025; Applicants may submit an optional expression of interest by Friday November 15, 2024 to be matched with a mentor community for non-technical application guidance. The Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring (CCHM) invites proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations to support community heat-monitoring campaigns. The maximum award size is $10,000.
• Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program: Applications due January 13, 2025. Qualified nonprofit organizations are welcome to apply for support to establish community forests through the fee simple acquisition of private forest land that is at least 5 acres in size and under threat of conversion. The maximum grant is $600,000, with a 50% cost-share. Applications must be submitted to the State Forester.
• USDA FY25 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant - Turnkey Program: Applications due January 10, 2025. Organizations can apply for funding to launch new farm to school programs or expand on existing efforts. Applicants may apply to one of three tracks: Action Planning, Agricultural Education, and Edible Gardens. Eligible applicants may include schools and other institutions that operate Child Nutrition Programs, Indian Tribal Organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, non-profit entities, and local agencies. The maximum grant is $50,000 with a 25% cost-share. There are two webinars: November 5 (Introduction to the Request for Applications) and November 6 (Submitting a Complete Grant Package). 
• USDA FY25 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant - Implementation Program: Applications due January 10, 2025. The objective of the FY25 Farm to School Implementation Grant is to improve access to local foods in eligible Child Nutrition Program (CNP) sites through comprehensive farm to school programming that includes both local sourcing and agricultural education efforts. Eligible applicants may include schools and other institutions that operate Child Nutrition Programs, Indian Tribal Organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, non-profit entities, and local agencies. The maximum grant is $500,000 with a 25% cost-share. There are two webinars: November 5 (Introduction to the Request for Applications) and November 6 (Submitting a Complete Grant Package). 
• Rural Business Development Grants: Applications due February 28, 2025. Nonprofit entities serving rural areas may apply for enterprise or opportunity grants that promote the development and expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Grants range from $10,000 to $500,000, and there is no cost-sharing requirement. Check property eligibility.
• Watershed Assistance Grant Program: Open until December 6, 2024. The Chesapeake Bay Trust welcomes applications from local agencies, nonprofits including faith-based organizations, HOAs, Forestry Board, Higher Education Institutions, and Soil/Water/Resource Conservation Districts and Councils for watershed restoration project designs and permitting and for watershed planning and programmatic development that will improve water quality. Awards range by type, with maximums from $75,000 to $150,000. Cost-share is not required but encouraged. 
• The Garrett A. Morgan Technology and Transportation Futures Program (GAMTTFP): Open until January 10, 2025. The US Department of Transportation welcomes applications from Local Educational Agencies or State Educational Agencies for projects that promote workforce development in transportation. Projects with a strong equity focus (encouraging women and minorities into STEM) ones that promote understanding of emissions reductions or climate resilience are encouraged. The award ceiling is $300,000, and there is no cost-match required.
• Maryland Urban and Community Forestry Committee (MUCFC) Grants Program: Applications reviewed on our around February 15 and July 15 annually. Forestry Boards are welcome to apply for assistance with tree planting on public lands or for educational projects about trees in urban environments. The maximum grant is $1,000.
• Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): Opens in late October 2024 and will remain open for 90 days after publication. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced $210 million in remaining FY 2024 Nonprofit Security Grant Program Supplemental funding. This grant provides funding support for target hardening and other physical security enhancements and activities to nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, that are at high risk of terrorist attack. Learn more and review these four steps to apply for the FEMA Nonprofit Security Grant.
• Addressing Systems Challenges through Engineering Teams: Opened October 10, 2024 and closes January 22, 2025. The National Science Foundation invites proposals from Institutions of Higher Education for engineering research that fuels progress in engineering system applications with high societal impact, including in the domains of healthcare, homeland security, disaster mitigation, telecommunications, energy, environment, transportation, manufacturing, and other systems-related areas. Grant awards will be in the $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 range. See NSF Publication 25-503.
• Transformational Direct Air Capture Technologies and Remove Legacy Carbon Dioxide Program: The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) intends to release a Notice of Funding Opportunity in late 2024 for Direct Air Capture (DAC) developers or commercial facilities. A DOE OCED DAC informational webinar is on October 10, 2024.
• Maryland Solar Access Program Grants for Residential Solar Systems: Opening soon. There is no closing date as it will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. These grants will provide up to $7,500 (at $750/kW) for new household solar PV systems. Eligibility is limited to households with a total income that does not exceed 150% of the statewide area median income. The application requires two phases, including an initial application to reserve funds. Please read the FAQs
  

For a list of all grant programs from every fiscal year and award winners, visit the Office of Grants Management’s “Grants Program” page.