$3.3 Million in State-Funded Grants Provided to Local Nonprofits Supporting Economic Development in the County
Per MCEDC:
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) has announced the 108 recipients of the MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits. A total of $3.3 Million in funding will be distributed to the selected nonprofits that are contributing to Montgomery County’s economic recovery.
The MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits awarded grants ranging from $7,500 to $45,000 to nonprofits with a wide variety of missions. The program also included 19 High Impact Grants, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000. Those specially selected grants were awarded to nonprofits to carry out particularly impactful work in the economic development and job creation space. The work of these nonprofits includes STEM education, women and minority entrepreneurship, workforce training and support for underserved communities.
“Montgomery County is home to the largest number of nonprofits in Maryland. This program recognizes the importance of our local nonprofit community to the economy, not just for the numbers they employ but also how their individual missions can make an impact in critical economic development areas,” said Benjamin H. Wu, President and CEO of MCEDC. “We’re pleased to award special High Impact Grants to selected nonprofits to fulfill the potential of their economic development programs. We look forward to working with all of the nonprofit grant recipients to support a rapid economic recovery.”
Three examples of High Impact Grant recipients:
Learning Undefeated’s mobile STEM lab will engage Montgomery County Public Schools students in hands-on, experiential STEM learning focused on minority entrepreneurship. The Emerging Leaders program includes hands-on workshops & career-focused sessions that nurture technical skills and support job prospecting for young women of color (ages of 14-22).
“This new partnership with MCEDC supports young women – who are so underrepresented in STEM careers – by sparking interest in high-demand industries such as cybersecurity and biotechnology, building confidence, and fostering lasting relationships to carry them into their careers,” said Brian Gaines, Learning Undefeated’s CEO.
Housing Unlimited is a Silver Spring-based community nonprofit that provides affordable, independent housing to vulnerable residents in mental health recovery, while promoting economic development activities in Montgomery County. It plans to use the grant monies for the homes that need funding for capital improvements, structural repairs, replacement of aging HVAC systems and other expenses including assisting with costs for a new maintenance position.
“We are honored to receive this grant from MCEDC,” said Abe Schuchman, CEO of Housing Unlimited. “As a small nonprofit business in Montgomery County, this grant will help us expand our charitable mission while at the same time contributing to the economic growth of the County.”
The Red Wiggler Community Farm is a sustainable farm in Germantown where people with and without developmental disabilities come together to work, learn and grow healthy food. With the funding influx, the farm plans to continue to grow its Community Supported Agriculture Program (CSA) distribution efforts and salaries in an equitable manner. They are on track to accomplish their FY21 goal of distributing 50% of total vegetable yield to their neighbors in need through partnering with local food banks, food hubs and pop-up pantries.
“During the pandemic, we pivoted from distributing 30% of our total fruit and vegetable yield to neighbors in need to a full 50%. The High Impact Grant will help us maintain that 50% goal of stocking food banks and pantries at a time when our capacity is stretched,” said Woody Woodroof, Executive Director of Red Wiggler Community Farm. “We appreciate the support for our program and the positive benefits it brings to Montgomery County’s community of people with developmental disabilities, the agricultural ecosystem and workforce development.
See the full list of 89 recipients of the Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits here and the 19 High Impact Grant awardees here.
The program included two rounds of application submissions and a selection committee review of the applicants. The eight-person selection committee identified qualified recipients for the grant awards and included State Senator Cheryl Kagan (D-17) and Lesley J. MacDonald, Executive Director of Nonprofit Montgomery.
“Nonprofits are the backbone of our community and have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. These grants will help to continue their critically important services,” said Senator Cheryl Kagan.
“Nonprofit organizations are an important economic engine in Montgomery County,” said Lesley J. MacDonald, Executive Director of Nonprofit Montgomery. “These grants recognize the many ways that nonprofits contribute to a thriving community.”
To learn more about the MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits, see the grant page. Funding was provided by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). DHCD appropriated the state funds through the General Assembly-passed RELIEF Act of 2021 that was signed into law by Governor Hogan earlier this year.
The MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits is the latest of multiple business assistance funding administered by MCEDC to support a pandemic economic recovery. In the past year, MCEDC has provided more than $22 Million in direct grant support to businesses for Restaurant Relief (3 phases), a Local Production Fund, a Telework Assistance Fund and the 3R Initiative, as well as the MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits.
MCEDC to Administer New MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Non-Profits
State-Funded Grants Will Aid Local Nonprofits Supporting Economic Recovery
From Think MoCo:
To support a post-pandemic recovery and further strengthen the economic development activities of the largest local nonprofit network in Maryland, the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) will administer a new state-funded $3.4 million economic development grant program for qualifying local nonprofits. Applications will open on July 6, 2021 and close July 16, 2021.
The MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits will provide competitively selected grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. The grant is for Montgomery County nonprofits with initiatives that align with one (or more) of the four identified priorities: (1) Minority Entrepreneurship, (2) STEM Education, (3) Research and Innovation Development, and (4) Small-Scale Manufacturing. Eligible nonprofits should have annual revenues of no more than $2 million and no less than $50,000 for the most recent fiscal year. Eligible initiatives must have started no earlier than March 2020, and nonprofits have until the end of 2021 to utilize the funds.
In addition, the program will award two selected local nonprofits with enhanced funding. One $100,000 grant and one $50,000 grant will be awarded for programs that best demonstrate a substantive impact on the Montgomery County economy in one or more of the four identified priorities. These two nonprofits will be chosen from the general application pool; a separate application is not required.
The Maryland General Assembly enacted the bipartisan RELIEF Act of 2021 this past session and the Governor signed the bill into law. Among its provisions, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) received $20 million in Maryland Recovery Now Funds. To support the work of local nonprofits playing a role in the state’s economic recovery, DHCD provided MCEDC with $3.4 million for the MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits.
Montgomery County is home to almost 7,000 nonprofits. They serve a wide variety of populations and purposes, including but not limited to health, education, the social safety net, the arts, the environment, economic development and community building.
“With limited funds and so many worthy nonprofits, this grant program is targeted to local nonprofits making an impact in critical economic development areas like minority entrepreneurship and STEM education,” said Benjamin H. Wu, President and CEO of MCEDC. “As we move optimistically towards a post-pandemic world, there is no greater priority than economic recovery. These nonprofits are helping to grow our economy, fuel innovation and support entrepreneurship, and we want to encourage continuation of this important economic development activity. We see these grants as not only an investment in the work of the selected nonprofits, but also an investment in Montgomery County’s future.”
The MoCo Economic Development Grant Program for Nonprofits applications will be accepted starting at 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 6. All applications must be submitted to MCEDC by 5 p.m., Friday, July 16. The funds will be distributed to all selected nonprofits by September 1 and the selected nonprofits must make use of the funds no later than December 31.
More information on eligibility criteria, funding amounts, grant exclusions and additional information can be found on the MCEDC website, with FAQs available in English and Spanish. Additional questions can be sent to [email protected].
City of Takoma Park Receives Significant Grant Funds
Per the City of Takoma Park:
The Housing and Community Development Department announced today that Governor Hogan had awarded the City of Takoma Park significant grant funds as part of the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund (NCSEDF) initiative.
The first grant is a $500,000 Revitalization Award for the revitalization of 6530 and 6600 New Hampshire Avenue.
The revitalization project includes the acquisition and rehabilitation
of the properties. The property at 6530 New Hampshire Ave, a highly visible but derelict 3-story commercial building, will become a state-of-the-art conference center and commercial-use building with new construction to create housing units. In partnership with a private developer, this multi-phase project will be the first mixed-use development of modern times in the City of Takoma Park.
The second award, a $500,00 Affordable Homeownership Opportunities Fund is for acquisition of properties to develop affordable homeownership opportunities and preserve a continuum of housing affordability in the City.
$4.9 Million In Additional Assistance Available For Montgomery County Restaurants
Montgomery County restaurants can now apply for Phase Two of the MoCo Restaurant Relief Grant. The deadline for applying is February 10th at 5PM. Below is the press release from the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation:
For Immediate Release:
Additional $4.9 Million In Business Assistance Available
For Montgomery County, Maryland Restaurants
Restaurant Relief Grant Program Provides $10,000 for New Applicants
and a Supplemental $5,000 for Previous Recipients
Rockville, Md. — The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) will
administer a second round of restaurant relief grants beginning February 1, 2020. Montgomery County
received $4.9 million in state funds as part of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s second aid package for
Maryland restaurants.
The original MoCo Restaurant Relief Grant was just completed in December 2020. MCEDC successfully
promoted and implemented this first round of grants, resulting in 836 applicants. Of those, 95 percent
(793 restaurants, food trucks, caterers, wineries and breweries) received a grant award of $10,000.
The complete list of previous Phase One recipients can be found here.
MCEDC will administer and award new Phase Two grants of $10,000 to eligible local restaurants that had
not previously applied for a MoCo Restaurant Relief Grant. New applications for Phase Two grants will
open February 1 and must be submitted by 5 PM on February 10, 2020. The grant can cover a variety
of eligible expenses, including rent and payroll. More information about the program can be found at the
MCEDC website.
In addition to accepting new applications, MCEDC will provide the original 793 recipients of the Restaurant Relief Grant Program with an automatic $5,000 supplemental grant from the Phase Two funds, provided that they are still open and meet all prior eligibility requirements. Given the closeness in time to the first round and to ease any burdens on restaurants to apply, previous Phase One recipients will not need to take any steps to directly apply for the $5,000 supplemental grant. Those original recipients will receive an email from MCEDC clarifying the details and timing of their Phase Two $5,000 supplemental grant. All grants will be distributed by March 15, 2020.
Working with the Montgomery County Executive and MCEDC, on January 26, 2021, the County Council
voted to approve the $4.9 million Phase Two Restaurant Relief Grant Program appropriation.
“While restaurants were appreciative of the first round of support, it’s clear they need additional help. This latest round of Restaurant Relief Grant is another important way to reach local restaurants that hadn’t previously benefitted from the program, while also helping to provide additional support for past recipients as they face an already challenging winter,” said Benjamin H. Wu, the President and CEO of MCEDC.
MCEDC is asking Montgomery County residents and business owners to share the news about the
second round of the Restaurant Relief Grant program with small eateries that may not have heard of the
grant program the first time, and continue to support restaurants and retail through online ordering,
curbside pickup and gift card purchases.
MCEDC will be promoting the Restaurant Relief Grant program with flyers in multiple languages
available for businesses and customers to download and drop off at their favorite restaurants when they
visit for carryout and curbside — or to email to a favorite establishment.
To apply for the grant, find eligible grant uses, read FAQs and download flyers, please visit our website.
Email questions to [email protected].
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About MCEDC
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) is the official public-private
economic development organization representing Montgomery County, Maryland. Created in 2016,
MCEDC is led by a Board of Directors of business executives. Its mission is to help businesses start,
grow and relocate in Montgomery County by helping them gain access to top talent, business and
market intelligence and prime locations. For more information, visit our website. Follow us
on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
