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Grant Guidelines

What We fund

The Charitable Trust supports programs that contribute to the quality of life in Charles County. We fund programs that keep our communities strong, diverse and vibrant.

The Charitable Trust is dedicated to improving the health and effectiveness of nonprofits serving Charles County.

  • We welcome applications that focus on health and human services, civic and community development, culture and arts, education and the environment.
  • We are unable to consider grants for capital campaigns, fundraising events, vehicles, or maintenance and repair of buildings owned by nonprofits.

What's New This
Grant Cycle

We have streamlined the grant application process with the aim of assuring an even playing field for our applicants.

  • We no longer have two categories of grants – “general operating” grants and “project grants.” Recognizing that some organizations have one main program and others have multiple programs, all grants are now called simply “Program Grants.”
  • Because grant requests exceed the available Charitable Trust funds, the maximum awards for grants has been reduced from $75,000 to $65,000.
  • We now require that nonprofit organizations must be operational for three full years before applying for a grant in order for organizations to establish a track record, operating with an annual budget and a board that consists of at least three members.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must have IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and must operate in Charles County.
  • Proposed program activities must be carried out for the benefit of Charles County residents.
  • If the proposed grant request involves collaboration with one or more other nonprofits, one organization must act as the lead applicant and submit a single application.
  • A representative must attend one of two MANDATORY orientation workshops scheduled for January 29, 2019 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. and February 12, 2019 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Grant applications cannot be considered if a representative from your organization does not attend one of these workshops. If you have not yet done so, click above to register for one of these workshops.
Register for Workshop

Grant Application Review Process

Program grants are awarded through a competitive process. Staff review each application to ensure its completeness and the applicant’s eligibility. Applications are then reviewed by a panel comprised of the Charitable Trust’s Board of Directors. After each of the grant applications is reviewed and scored, the Board selects the applicants that will receive grant awards.

Criteria for
awarding Grants

  • Goals, objectives and outcomes are clearly defined and achievable, given the available financial and staff resources.
  • Potential impact program(s) will have on the quality of lives of underserved populations, such as those living in poverty or from low-income households and individuals with disabilities.
  • Potential impact on the quality of life for residents of Charles County at large, such as arts and culture, the environment and education.
  • The extent to which partnerships are formed with other organizations to better target services, improve programs and reduce costs.
  • The extent to which a diverse mix of funding is obtained to support and/or expand programs

Conditions of
Grants

  • Grant recipients must continue to meet all eligibility requirements during the grant application review period and, if awarded a grant, during the grant period.
  • Grantee must remain in good standing with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation during the application review and grant award periods, and hold a current Certificate of Status.
  • During the grant period, the Charitable Trust may request the grantees participate in local research related to programs and services. Grantees are required to assist in providing information for these studies.