The Frederick County Community Partnership Grant (CPG) program provides competitive funding to nonprofit organizations that serve the residents of Frederick County. Designed to strengthen community well-being, the program focuses on four key areas: homelessness and housing solutions, quality of life initiatives, public health, and supporting the arts. These categories encompass a wide range of critical needs, such as affordable housing, youth empowerment, health equity, and community arts programming, among others.

Nonprofits can apply for projects addressing housing insecurity, affordable housing opportunities, financial literacy, or programs enabling seniors to age in place. Quality of life initiatives may include childcare, senior support, youth engagement, and innovative transportation solutions that promote inclusion and belonging. Public health efforts that focus on mental health, behavioral health, substance use disorders, food insecurity, and intimate partner violence are also eligible for funding. Additionally, the program supports cultural enrichment initiatives that use the arts to connect communities, enhance placemaking, and expand access to cultural programs.

Applications for the FY26 grant cycle will open on November 25, 2024, with a submission deadline of January 8, 2025, at 4:00 PM. Submissions must be completed through the Foundant platform, and any application left in draft form after the deadline will be deleted. To assist potential applicants, Frederick County will host a virtual informational session on November 21, 2024, at 1:30 PM. The session link will be emailed to those who register for updates and reminders and will also be posted on the grant’s webpage closer to the date.

Organizations applying for the grant are encouraged to align their proposed projects with one or more of the program’s priority areas. Detailed application documents and a checklist will be available to guide applicants through the process. Previous grant recipients’ projects are also available for review to provide insight into successful applications.

Frederick County values its partnership with nonprofit organizations and recognizes their vital role in creating a vibrant, thriving community. By addressing critical issues such as housing, health, and cultural engagement, the Community Partnership Grant program exemplifies the county’s commitment to leveraging local expertise to meet pressing community needs effectively.