The 2025 Washington County Gaming Commission Grant Program supports charitable organizations serving Washington County, Maryland. This grant opportunity is funded through revenues from tip jar gaming as authorized by the Maryland General Assembly in 1995. By law, 50% of the Gaming Funds are allocated to the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, while the remaining 50% is distributed through a competitive grant process overseen by the Gaming Commission to support eligible nonprofits.

Grants are open to 501(c)(3) organizations based in and serving Washington County. Eligible uses of funds include services in areas such as health and human services, emergency services, animal welfare, civic and community development, athletics and recreation, and educational or cultural activities. The maximum amount that may be requested per application is $100,000. Organizations may submit multiple applications for different projects.

The 2025 grant application must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Applicants must first email an electronic copy to both cahrens@washco-md.net and jmackereth@washco-md.net. In addition, six hard copies, including all attachments, must be delivered by the same deadline to the Office of Grant Management at 100 W. Washington Street, Suite 1601, Hagerstown, MD 21740. No late applications or corrections will be accepted.

A Funding Hearing will be held on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Attendance is optional but encouraged, as the Gaming Commission may ask questions or request clarification. Organizations will be allotted five minutes to present and may schedule their hearing starting on the day of hard copy submission through May 30, 2025.

Grant awards will be announced at the Washington County Board of County Commissioners meeting in August 2025, followed by press releases and notification letters. Funds will be disbursed a few weeks after the announcement. The performance period for awarded grants is one year from the date of the announcement, and unused funds must be returned. Organizations seeking changes in fund usage must request a budget modification in advance.

Certain entities are ineligible to apply, including churches, political or government organizations, and tip jar license holders. Booster clubs supporting school programs must demonstrate that any items purchased with grant funds will not become property of the Washington County Board of Education unless accompanied by a letter from the Superintendent.

Applicants must be in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation and provide all required documentation. Evaluation factors include service type, number of individuals served, cost-effectiveness, financial viability, past fund usage, and fundraising efforts. All applications and supporting documentation are considered public records under Maryland’s Public Information Act.