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Montgomery County
Grant Opportunities Newsletter |
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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. Past Newsletters can be found on OGM's About Us website.
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FY26 Community Food Assistance Grant Program: (Opened Friday, August 15, 2025 and closes Friday, September 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM). The FY26 Community Food Assistance Grant Program is currently soliciting applications from food assistance provider organizations to support the 1) purchase and/or (new in FY26) recovery and 2) distribution of shelf-stable, fresh food, and/or prepared meals to Montgomery County residents on at least a monthly basis in zip-codes throughout the County. This program will increase access to locally sourced, culturally relevant food options among residents experiencing food insecurity. Grant recipients will provide essential community food assistance services while closing service gaps, enhancing their impact, utilizing standardized data collection, and strengthening both the provider network and the resilience of the local food system. Information session to take place Thursday, August 21.
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FY26 Light House Grant Program: (Opened Tuesday August 12, 2025 and closes Wednesday September 10, 2025 at 11:59 PM) The FY26 Lighthouse Grant Program will provide one umbrella (lead) organization $3,504,636.00 in County funds to design, implement and manage a countywide collaborative initiative to deliver comprehensive services to support socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals and families navigating challenges related to immigration status within the County. To maximize impact, applicants are expected to design, implement, and evaluate a model that accurately assesses and identifies the needs of individuals and families, organizes needed support into different tiers, and responds effectively in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner to address the complex needs of the priority population. The project period is from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, with a potential one time no-cost extension until October 1, 2026. Any future funding outside of the project period is contingent on Council appropriations for FY27.
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FY26 Cost Sharing Capital Grants (CSCG) Program - Stage Two: Opened August 7 and closes Monday September 8 at 11:59 PM. OGM is soliciting grant applications from qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations seeking to implement capital projects that help provide access to resources, direct services, historical preservation, cultural enrichment, and/or other benefits to Montgomery County residents. The FY26 competition will again be limited only to projects that have an existing State capital award for the same project. The competition will be in two stages with the current Stage One collecting a brief application summarizing the project, requested amount from the County, and providing proof of a State capital award. Applicants that missed Stage One will still be able to submit an application so long as they meet all other eligibility conditions.
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CLOSING SOON: FY26 Healthy Communities Fund Grant Program: Opened August 1, 2025, and closes Friday August 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM. the Asian American Health Initiative, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Community Affairs, and the Office of Grants Management (OGM) are soliciting grant applications from qualified 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations to administer culturally and linguistically appropriate programs and services that improve the health and wellness of Montgomery County residents with a particular focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other community organizations to ensure a coordinated, community-driven approach that maximizes resources. $1,500,000 is available within the Healthy Communities Fund with grants awards of up to $150,000 after a thorough competitive review of all completed proposals.
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FY26 Community Grant Award Renewal: Organizations with a current (FY25) Community Grant multi-year award should have received a Notification Letter in mid-May from the Office of Grants Management informing them of this opportunity, directing them to the appropriate module, and providing detailed instructions on how to submit their proposal. If you are a specific recipient of the Community Grants program and do not have this letter in your records, please contact OGM at grantsadministration@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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FY26 Legacy Grant Award Renewal (aka Bridge Grants): Organizations with a current (FY24 or FY25) Legacy Grant (aka Bridge Grants) award should have received a Notification Letter in mid-May from the Office of Grants Management informing them of this opportunity, directing them to the appropriate module, and providing detailed instructions on how to submit their proposal. If you are a specific recipient of the Community Grants program and do not have this letter in your records, please contact OGM at grantsadministration@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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Coming Soon (Next 30 Days) |
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FY26 Cost Sharing Capital Grant Renewals: (Anticipated launch in early September 2025) OGM will collect to grant agreement renewal materials from FY24 and FY25 Cost Sharing Capital Grant program multi-year award winners for the FY26 portion of their award. Award winners may start developing updated versions of the attachments to their existing grant agreements at their FY26 awarded amount. See the program page for the FY25 CSCG solicitation for reference and guidance on how to develop these attachments.
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FY26 Nonprofit Incubators Grants Program: (Anticipated launch in late August, 2025). The goal of this grant program is to compete out funds to nonprofit providers for the administration of Nonprofit Incubators serving nonprofits throughout the County. OGM seeks innovative proposals that explore administrative shared serves, micro-grants administrative needs, common workspaces, as well as sustained coaching, mentoring, and community building for incubator participants. $1 million is available for this grant program with OGM anticipating 2-3 multi-year awards ranging from $300,000 to $500,000 per year.
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FY26 EquiCare Renewal (FY24 Cohort of grantees): Organizations with a current (FY24) EquiCare Grant multi-year award should have received a Notification Letter from the Office of Grants Management informing them of this opportunity, directing them to next steps, and providing detailed instructions on how to submit any revisions their proposal. If you are a specific recipient of the EquiCare Grants program and do not have this letter in your records, please contact OGM at grantsadministration@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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FY26 Community Food Assistance Grant Program (Anticipated Launch in Mid-August 2025): The FY26 Community Food Assistance Grant Program will solicit applications from food assistance provider organizations to support the 1) purchase and/or (new in FY26) recovery and 2) distribution of shelf-stable, fresh food, and/or prepared meals to Montgomery County residents on at least a monthly basis in zip-codes throughout the County. This program will increase access to locally sourced, culturally relevant food options among residents experiencing food insecurity. Grant recipients will provide essential community food assistance services while closing service gaps, enhancing their impact, utilize standardized data collection, and strengthening both the provider network and the resilience of the local food system.
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FY26 Community Projects Fund Administration Grant Program: (Anticipated launch in Mid-September 2025) The goal of this grant program is to compete out to a nonprofit provider the administration of the Community Project Fund pool of resources. The award winner will also be responsible for providing coaching, mentoring, and sustained technical assistance to small, emerging, and volunteer led nonprofit applicants and award winners for this pool of resources. $1.2 million is available for this grant program and OGM anticipates making a single award to one partner.
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FY26 Nonprofit Technical Assistance and Management Support Grants Program: (Anticipated launch in Late September 2025) The goal of this grant program is to compete out funds to nonprofit providers for the administration of Nonprofit Incubators serving nonprofits throughout the County. OGM will seek innovative proposals that help prepare County nonprofits to independently and successfully apply for win, implement, and comply with County, other local jurisdiction, private, State, and federal awards. This award may include a sub-granting component. $2 million is available for this grant program with OGM anticipating 4-5 multi-year awards ranging from $300,000 to $500,000 per year. Portions of this funding pool may be integrated into the FY25 Nonprofit Incubator and FY24 Community Projects Fund Administration Grant Programs.
For a longer-term forecast of launch dates for County grant programs and renewals check out the most current Grant Program Forecast.
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Status of Closed, but not Awarded, Grant Programs |
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FY26 Food Recovery Network Coordination Grant Program: The application window closed on August 18, 2025. OGM and OFSR are currently reviewing the 3 completed submissions at the Administrative Review and will pass along completed applications to subject matter experts for their technical review.
Do you want feedback on a past grant program application, whether you received an award or not? Reach out to OGM at grants@montgomerycountymd.gov and OGM Staff will facilitate a feedback session with the grant program's responsible department. Please indicate the email which specific grant program application you want feedback on.
For a list of all grant programs from every fiscal year and award winners, visit the Office of Grants Management’s “Grant Program Results” page.
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Upcoming Grants Related Events and Resources |
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August 2025 OGM Community Forum Recording: OGM staff provided general OGM updates, forecast coming County FY26 grant programs, covered "The Grant Agreement Approval Cycle" as a special topic, and answered stakeholder questions. Recordings and slide decks for all past OGM Forum events will continue to be posted on the OGM About Us website.
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Advisory Workgroup on Strategic Planning for County Grants Next Meeting on September 2, 2025: The Montgomery County Council created the Advisory Workgroup on Strategic Planning for County Grants by Council Resolution 20-780 on April 22, 2025. The workgroup’s goal is to recommend strategies to:
- Develop a proposed strategic plan for the Community Grants program;
- Make recommendations for resolving and transition the Community Grants Legacy awards; and
- Develop proposed criteria and process for the annual Cost Sharing: CIP grants program.
The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 2, 2025 from 2:30 to 4:30 PM. More information on how to attend the meeting, the workgroup itself, and links to supporting resources can be found on the Advisory Workgroup on Strategic Planning for County Grants website.
Do you have a free grants related training event or resource that you want to advertise in the OGM Newsletter? Please email information on your training event and/or resource in the format above to OGM at grants@montgomerycountymd.gov and we will at to the Newsletter. OGM will not market paid events or services.
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Non-County Funding Opportunities (Sorted by Newest to Oldest Posting) |
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Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program. First-come, first-served, applications accepted through February 27, 2026. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers low-interest loans for Maryland nonprofits, schools, governments, and businesses to finance cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation projects to benefit their facilities and operations. Interest rates vary from 2% to 3%. The maximum microloan is $50,000 and the maximum traditional loan is $500,000. An application fee is required.
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Electrifying Community Buildings. Applications due December 31, 2025. The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers grant support for community-serving buildings for measures that facilitate efficient electrification of building systems (mechanical, thermal, laundry, cooking), which may result in lifecycle cost reductions as well as zero onsite emissions. This may include pre-electrification such as electric panel upgrades, weatherization, and deep energy efficiency improvements. Eligibility is limited to non-government buildings whose primary function is to serve the public, such as hospitals, museums, centers for arts and sciences, private K-12 schools, places of worship and similar. The maximum grant is $1,500,000 and there is a 50% cost-share (including utility incentives).
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Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants: Application portal open from August 27 to October 7, 2025. Nonprofits, governments, schools, and other community institutions such as hospitals may apply for Direct Effect, Priority Impact, or Expanded Impact projects that support people living with paralysis. The maximum grant ranges by program from $25,000 to $100,000.
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2026 Rachael Ray Save Them All grants or Rachel Ray No-Kill Excellence grants. Letters of Intent due September 16, 2025. Local governments and nonprofits may apply for only one of two grant opportunities to increase the lifesavings of shelter animals. The maximum grant is $50,000.
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Cisco Technology Grant Program: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Nonprofits that serve the community at large may requests donations of Cisco technology to realize significant gains in productivity, security, scalability, and cost efficiency; or apply for cash grants in climate impact and regeneration; Cisco Crisis Response (which includes shelter, water, food, and disaster relief); economic empowerment; and education. The maximum cash grant is $50,000.
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2026 Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs (HPRP): Letters of Intent (LOI) due September 19, 2025. The National Preservation Partners Network and The 1772 Foundation invite LOIs from 501(c)3 organizations wishing to preserve historic buildings. Typical HPRP grants range from $50,000-$75,000.
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Aaron Copland Fund for Music Supplement Program Grants: Applications due October 30, 2025. Publicly supported non-profits or fiscally sponsored organizations with a history of substantial commitment to contemporary concert music may apply for support for needs not covered by other programs. Accounts are required to apply, and must be requested by October 24, 2025. Grants typically range between $1,500 and $20,000.
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Petco Love: Love Stories FY25: Applications due September 29, 2025. Animal shelters and rescue organizations may encourage their “pet parents” to submit love stories describing how their living, adopted pet has changed their life for the better. Top selected love stories will net their organization funds to support their work. One award of $100,000 will be given and up to 25 awards ranging from $5,000-$25,000 may be given.
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Residential and Commercial Energy Storage (RCES) Grant Program: Applications accepted on a first-time, first-served basis until June 5, 2026. The Maryland Energy Administration offers grants for both residential and commercial applicants seeking to install qualifying battery energy storage systems. The RCES Program replaces the prior Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit Program. Maximum awards are $5,000 for residential properties and $150,000 for commercial properties, up to 30% of the total installed costs.
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2026 Grants to Advance Access to Oral Healthcare: Applications due October 1, 2025. The National Association of Dental Plans Foundation invites applications from governments, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, schools, and the private sector for projects that expand access to oral healthcare and enhance the administration of dental benefits. The maximum grant is $50,000.
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Faith and Health Campus Grants FY25: Applications due November 1, 2025. Interfaith America invites applications from academic institutions for projects to embed religious pluralism across the health ecosystem through campus-based efforts that promote curricular and co-curricular learning, campus-community partnerships, research, and public scholarship. The maximum grant is $60,000.
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AIDS United Rapid Response Technical Assistance (TA) Program via Sector Transformation Initiative Portfolio: Requests reviewed on a rolling basis. This program is designed to strengthen HIV service organizations as they navigate current funding landscape shifts. Technical assistance (TA) is available at three levels: 1) Open Access to online resources (no application needed); 2) Limited-time technical assistance for targeted challenges related to leadership, operations, or proposal writing; and 3) $15,000 intensive micro-grant and dedicated TA liaison providing customized services.
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MOORE Equity in Mental Health Community Grants Program: Applications due September 30, 2025. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) Foundation invites proposals from US based nonprofit organizations to undertake innovative awareness programs or provide services to improve the mental health of young people of color. Initiatives may address mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. The maximum grant is $10,000.
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Maryland Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program: Phase 1 applications due September 26, 2025. The Maryland Department of Commerce invites applications from private companies, nonprofits, local governments, or IHLs in Maryland to support innovation infrastructure projects. Grants may be used to defray costs to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, install, improve, or equip an eligible innovation infrastructure project designed to transform and accelerate growth in an eligible technology sector. The maximum grant is $2,000,000.
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American Heart Association Impact Funds: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. For-profit and nonprofit organizations tackling social drivers of health may apply for support in the form of investments, loans, or grants to transform Health Care Access & Quality, Food Security, or Economic Empowerment. No maximum is listed.
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Maryland Solar Access Program. Applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting July 21, 2025. The program helps eligible Maryland residents install solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to power their homes. The application is a two-step process: an initial application to reserve funds and a solar installation completion verification. Solar PV installation contractors may apply for inclusion until September 8, 2025, or during a second window from December 15, 2025-March 3, 2026. The grant is provided at $750 per kWDC, up to a maximum of $7,500.
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American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Foundation Access to Care Grants. Applications due September 19, 2025. A wide variety of nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, and dental health groups may apply to support community-based initiatives that provide dental care to underserved children. The maximum grant is $30,000.
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Maryland Affordable Housing Trust. Applications due September 11, 2025. Nonprofits, public housing authorities, governments, and profit-motivated entities may apply for loans or grants to support capital costs of rental and ownership housing; financial assistance for nonprofit-developer capacity building; supportive services for occupants of affordable housing; and operating expenses of affordable housing developments. Projects must serve households earning less than 50% of area or Statewide median income. Past grants have been in the range of $30,000-$75,000.
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Rumphius Foundation Grants. Applications due September 1st, or until 75 applications are received. 501(c)3 nonprofits may request support to strengthen communities and protect the environment in small but meaningful ways, for projects that reach a diverse range of people in need while simultaneously educating young people about sustainability and healthy living. The maximum grant is $6,000.
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The Paul Green Foundation Arts and Human Rights Grants. Applications due October 1, 2025. 501(c)3 organizations seeks proposals for long- or short-term projects that reflect the life's work and values of playwright and social justice activist Paul Green, centered on the arts, human rights, and racial equity. Grants range from $500-$2,500.
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Lilah Hilliard Fisher Foundation FY25 Grants. Applications due October 1, 2025 for FY25, otherwise applications accepted on a rolling basis. Nonprofit organizations in the northeastern United States may apply for support in regenerative agriculture, soil health, biodiversity, nutrient-dense foods, and nutrition education efforts. Recent past awards have ranged from $10,000-$90,000.
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Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) Housing Affordability Planning Program Small Grants. Applications due October 10, 2025. Grants are intended to assist with a variety of housing (rental and ownership) pre-development, project implementation activities, housing policy studies, or land use reform tasks that have the potential to increase the amount of housing opportunities near transit that are accessible to those with lower incomes. Any nonprofit developer working on transit-oriented housing developments (with a letter of support from a COG member jurisdiction) may apply for direct financial assistance up to $75,000.
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The Dale Junior Foundation FY25 Monetary and In-Kind Donations. Applications for funding due October 31, 2025; Rolling basis for in-kind requests. Nonprofits may request support for programs that empower underprivileged individuals, with a focus on youth, by providing resources that will boost confidence, provide safe homes for children needing a new start, enhance education, support wellness and health services, address youth hunger, and create hope. Support to nonprofit organizations will be provided in the form of funding or in-kind donations of items for auctions or raffles. Requests for in-kind donations must be received at least 8 to 12 weeks prior to the proposed event date.
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MacFarlane Foundation FY26 Grants. Letters of Inquiry accepted starting January 2026. The Foundation is interested in supporting nonprofit organizations addressing a range of issues, including but not limited to: education, economic empowerment, climate change and the environment, health, human services, and the well-being of women and girls, and is particularly interested in catalyzing organizations into their next phase of growth or impact. Category One grants range from $10,000-$75,000 and Category Two grants range from $200,000-$250,000.
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Waste Management (WM) Charitable Contributions Program. Applications accepted year-round. 501(c)3 or public organizations may apply for a charitable contribution to make communities safer, stronger, and more sustainable. WM funds environmental stewardship, environmental justice, sustainability education, workforce and skills development, community vitality, and supplier diversity. No maximum is specified.
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Can'd Aid: Crush It Crusade - FY 2025. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Government and nongovernment organizations may apply to support the launch or improvement of local recycling programs and education on the importance of infinitely recyclable aluminum. Grants range in size from $5,000 to $10,000.
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Closed Loop Infrastructure Strategy. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Closed Loop Partners provides below-market rate loans to municipalities and companies to improve recycling infrastructure. Typical loan size is $3-$5 million over a 3-10 year term, with each loan secured by collateral.
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Closed Loop Local Recycling Strategy. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Closed Loop Partners and PepsiCo Beverages North America will invest in new local recycling systems and technologies to improve recycling access for more communities across the U.S. loans. Typical loans range between $500,000-$5 million over a 3-8 year term, with each loan secured by collateral.
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Closed Loop Circular Plastics Strategy. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Closed Loop Partners will invest in circular economy infrastructure, technologies, and companies that advance the recovery and recycling of plastics in the U.S. and Canada. The minimum investment size is $1 million.
Are you a funder that wants OGM to advertise your grant opportunity in our Newsletter? Please email your funding opportunity information in the format below to OGM at grants@montgomerycountymd.gov and we will add it to the Newsletter.
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For a list of all grant programs from every fiscal year and award winners, visit the Office of Grants Management’s “Grant Program Results” page. |
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