About Our Grantmaking

Our grantmaking program supports a wide variety of community interests and causes with one end goal in mind: improving the quality of life in Frederick County.

Questions? We're happy to help.

Diana Fulchiron
Director of Community Impact
301.695.7660
Email Diana

FY2021 Strategic Grants (July 15, 2020 - August 15, 2020)

The Community Foundation of Frederick County  is accepting applications for strategic grants from July 15, 2020 through August 15, 2020. This grant cycle will allow organizations to apply for program grants to support services related to the Community Foundation’s 2019 Strategic Initiatives. 

To apply for funding under the 2019 Strategic Initiatives, applicants must identify project or service outcomes for programs, organizations, or systems that address supporting families with children, preparing for a growing aging population, or responding to substance use disorder.

The FY2021 Strategic Grant Cycle is the first year that the Community Foundation will provide program or operating grants exclusively in support of these initiatives, with prior strategic areas no longer being funded. Projects should focus on continuing or increasing essential services or innovative program development.

Strategic Grant Application 

FY2021 Impact Grants (August 15, 2020 - September 15, 2020)

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is accepting applications for Impact Grants from August 15, 2020 through September 15, 2020. Nonprofits providing programs that impact health and human services, historic preservation, the arts, agriculture, civic causes, animal welfare, education, youth programs, and more should apply.

Please check back on August 15, 2020 for a link to the application and additional details.

COVID-19 Emergency Grants

The COVID Collaborative is administering a common grant application to support local organizations impacted by COVID-19. Organizations can apply for emergency grants to support increases to demands in services and/or grants to support general operating expenses when revenues have been impacted by COVID-19-related closures. The Community Foundation is collecting applications and they will be evaluated for funding by the COVID Collaborative. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  

To access the COVID-19 Emergency grant application, please click on the blue "Preview All Grant Opportunities" button below. 

The Community Foundation is a partner in the COVID Collaborative, which consists of several organizations in the local funding community, to help Frederick County individuals and households impacted by COVID-19. We are working with United Way of Frederick County, Ausherman Family Foundation, Delaplaine Foundation, Inc., Helen J. Serini Foundation, Women’s Giving Circle of Frederick County, The Kahlert Foundation, Our Heavenly Cause Foundation, The William Cross Foundation, The Mark and Susan Butt Saturday Mornings Fund, and other organizations and donors. 

How Does The Grant Application Process Work?

Frederick County based organizations submit their grant applications through our online system, within the specified application period. The Grants Committee, comprised of board members and other community volunteers with specific expertise, review the applications and make funding recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Our team will then help the receiving organization put its grant into motion.

The Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick provided grants to many organizations throughout the FY2019 year from The Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick Fund. Pictured here are representatives from SHIP, Frederick Community Action Agency, and Cub Pack 285 accepting their grants. 

What do we fund?

Our grant funding is divided into three broad areas with different applications and deadlines.

We fund nonprofits meeting the areas of greatest need in Frederick County through strategic grants. These needs have been identified in The 2011 Frederick County Human Needs Assessment Report and The 2018 Frederick County Human Needs Assessment Report.  The focus of strategic grant funding may change as new data becomes available.

Currently, we are funding high impact projects that:

  • reduce emergency department visits
  • prevent homelessness and help the newly homeless
  • improve school readiness for young children

In FY20, we are funding capacity-building outcomes for programs, organizations, or systems that address:

  • supporting families with children
  • preparing for an aging population
  • responding to substance use disorder

We also support a wide array of programs that improve the community and provide opportunities for people of all ages through impact grants. Funding can support:

  • health and human services
  • historic preservation
  • the arts
  • agriculture
  • civic causes
  • animal welfare
  • education
  • youth programs
  • elder care
  • environment

We support nonprofits meeting the needs of individual Frederick County residents through rolling grants. Funds remain available until they are used, or until June 1 each year. Funding can support:

  • extraordinary medical needs,
  • a “hand-up” to someone experiencing hardship,
  • other purposes as funds become available.

Questions? Contact Community Impact.

How does the grant process work?

Organizations submit grant applications through our online system, within the specified application period. The Grants Committee, comprised of board members and other community volunteers with specific expertise, review applications and make funding recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Our team will then help the receiving organization put its grant into motion.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

  • a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
  • a government agency applying for an extraordinary project that is not funded by tax revenue
  • a religious organization requesting funding for non-sectarian activities
  • a civic group that is not a 501(c)(3) requesting funding for a community cause.

What financial information is required?

A project budget showing how the grant funds will be used as well as all sources of income is required. Applicants must also provide organizational level financial information. 

How is the online grant application system accessed?

Use the button at the bottom of the page to access applications, awards, payment and reporting information. Additional information about creating and using our online grant application system can be found in Applying for Grants Online – Technical FAQs.

The following documents contain information that will help you successfully complete your application. 

Questions? Contact Community Impact.

What grants are currently available?

  • Strategic Grants – generally mid-July through mid-August, annually. The specific application date will be posted in the spring of 2020.
  • Impact Grants - generally mid-August through mid-September, annually. The specific application date will be posted in the spring of 2020.
  • Other Grants - there are currently "rolling" grants available for a variety of purposes from November 1, 2019 through April 1, 2020. View grant list here.

Other reference documents that may be helpful are available in the “How does the grant process work” section above.

Use the link in the blue box below to view all current grant opportunities.

Grantees - use the link in the green box below to access information about grants you have already received. 

Questions? Contact Community Impact.

My organization has received a grant. Where do I find my award, payment and reporting information?

Access your grant account using the link in the blue box at the bottom of the page. All information you need to know about your grant is posted there.

Helpful documents: 

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