Four Rivers Heritage Area Announces Two Spring Grant Opportunities

December 20, 2016

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County announces two upcoming grant opportunities.

The fiscal year 2018 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority grant round is under way. Capital and non-capital Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) matching project grants of up to $100,000 are available through Four Rivers for projects that are heritage-related. Award amounts typically range from a maximum $50,000 for non-capital and programming projects and a maximum of $100,000 for capital projects. All grants must be matched in an amount at least equal to the grant (dollar-for-dollar match). A portion of this match may be with in-kind services, such as volunteer time, donated professional services, and donated materials. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local jurisdictions within the heritage area. Proposed activities must address or complete a priority activity identified in and consistent with the goals, objectives, strategies and actions outlined in the approved heritage area Management Plan, and/or our 5-Year Action Plan for FY 2013-2018.

Grants can support projects involving historical, cultural, or natural resources, sites, events, or facilities.  Eligible projects must have a heritage tourism component, for example the project involves a visitor destination such as a museum, visitor center, or nature center; helps to provide facilities and services that support heritage tourism; or is an event that will help to create a long-term increase in visitation to the Heritage Area.

The application materials for the FY 2018 grant round are now available on the Maryland Historical Trust’s website:

http://mht.maryland.gov/grants.shtml – (use Internet Explorer, Firefox or another browser that is not Chrome). Click on the “To begin a new application, Click here” link in the middle of the page to begin an Intent to Apply form. As in previous years, applicants will begin with the Intent to Apply form, which is due January 27. Once they have submitted that form, they will be provided access to the non-capital or capital project full application form, which will then be due on March 1. The Intent to Apply form does not obligate the applicant to complete a full application. See the Grants page on the Four Rivers website for more information.

Applicants should plan to attend a grant workshop or webinar. These sessions are an opportunity to learn more about the FY 2018 grant program and the online application. Registration information is also on the Grants page.

  • Monday, January 9, 2017 – 10:00 a.m. – Online Webinar
  • Wednesday, January 11, 2017 – 2:00 p.m. – Workshop in Crownsville
  • Tuesday, January 17, 2017 – 2:00 p.m. – Online Webinar

Applicants must discuss their proposal with heritage area staff prior to application submission; please call the Four Rivers office at 410-222-1805. MHAA awards will be announced in July 2017.

There is also a limited amount of funds remaining to be allocated in the Spring FY 2017 Mini-Grant Opportunity. Organizations that received a Fall FY17 grant are not eligible to apply. Non-profits and municipalities are eligible to apply, for projects to take place primarily within our designated boundaries. The maximum grant award is $2,500. All grants must be matched in an amount at least equal to the grant (dollar-for-dollar match). A portion of this match may be with in-kind services, such as volunteer time, donated professional services, and donated materials. Visit our Mini-Grants page to access the application, guidelines, and all related grant application information. Remember, there is a MANDATORY Workshop on Wednesday, January 25th, 3 p.m., at Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater. The deadline for this application is Friday, February 10.

For more information and to discuss potential projects, please contact Executive Director Carol Benson at 410-222-1805.

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