The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program, administered by a partnership that includes the Chesapeake Bay Trust, the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), is designed to support land trusts and other community-based organizations in Maryland. The program aims to increase civic engagement, promote environmental stewardship, and develop solutions to local environmental issues. Projects funded under this grant should focus on mobilizing residents through education, outreach, and planting activities, ultimately addressing environmental concerns at the community level.

The grant offers funding for three distinct project tracks. The first track, Community Stewardship, provides up to $5,000 for projects that engage residents in stewardship activities such as clean-ups, education, and outreach. This track is ideal for smaller-scale community projects that aim to promote environmental awareness and foster local involvement in solving environmental challenges. The second track, Capacity Building for Land Trusts (Hollmann Grant), offers up to $10,000 to strengthen the capacity of land trusts to carry out their conservation work more effectively. This track is suitable for organizations working on land preservation and conservation. The third track, Tree Planting on Agricultural Lands, provides up to $50,000 for tree planting initiatives on agricultural lands. This option is tailored to larger-scale projects that seek to enhance the ecological value of agricultural areas by increasing tree cover.

While matching funds are not required for any of the tracks, applicants are encouraged to provide a match to strengthen their proposals. Eligible applicants include a broad range of entities such as non-profit organizations, local governments, municipalities, community and homeowner associations, and faith-based organizations. The full list of eligible applicants can be found in the program's Request for Proposals (RFP).

Applications for the Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant must be submitted through the Chesapeake Bay Trust's online application system. Applicants with questions regarding the application process can contact the Trust Program Manager, Amber Cameron, for guidance. Interested organizations should ensure their proposals align with the program’s goals of fostering community engagement, environmental stewardship, and local problem-solving.

This grant opportunity provides significant support for projects focused on both small and large-scale environmental initiatives. The different funding tracks offer flexibility depending on the scope and focus of the proposed project, allowing organizations to address a range of environmental needs from community-based stewardship to agricultural tree planting efforts.