TOWSON, MD—County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Wednesday announced the availability of $1.3 million in grants for nonprofit organizations serving Baltimore County through the County’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.

The new program aims to support organizations responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its economic impacts in Baltimore County.

“Our nonprofit organizations play a critical role in Baltimore County communities, working as boots on the ground to support our residents in myriad ways,” Olszewski said. “With these grants, we continue supporting these nonprofits as they provide critical services for our residents and communities recovering from the pandemic.”

The County will partner with the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) to administer the grant program.

“As challenging as these past two years have been for local nonprofits, their response to the pandemic has shone a bright light on their innovation – and how vital they are for families’ and communities’ survival,” said Shanaysha M. Sauls, President and CEO of the Baltimore Community Foundation. “Through multiple rounds of grantmaking, Baltimore County has supported that response, making sure funds reach high-impact organizations effectively and in a timely manner.”

Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving residents of Baltimore County and in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) may apply. Nonprofits using a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent may also apply.

The minimum grant request is $25,000 per proposal and applicants may submit up to three proposals in one application. The funds may be used to support direct or indirect projects solely attributable to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Prior to submitting a formal application, interested 501(c)(3) nonprofits must submit a pre-proposal eligibility questionnaire to be screened for their capacity to manage federal awards, and applicants who meet eligibility will be invited to submit a full application through BCF’s Baltimore County Emergency Response Fund website.

A webinar will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and interested organizations can register here.

This is the third time Baltimore County has partnered with Baltimore Community Foundation to distribute grants to County organizations.

The Baltimore County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, administered by BCF, was created in March 2020 to respond to the evolving crisis, and was funded through the generous donations of individuals, corporations, and other private philanthropic donors. In July 2020, fifty local community-based organizations received the first grants from the fund, totaling $400,000. In August 2021, over fifty local community-based organizations received grants from the fund, totaling $2.4 million.