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SM Action Grants Program

Application due date: November 8, 2024 11:59pm

Awardees announced:  early-December

Timeline: Projects may begin January 2025 and are expected to be completed January 2026 

Sustainable Maryland is excited to announce the inaugural year of funding for the Sustainable Maryland Action Grants for incorporated municipalities, furthering our commitment to enhance livability for all Marylanders by supporting a wide range of community-scale sustainability efforts. Funding for this grant program has been made possible by the State of Maryland when it created the Sustainable Maryland Program fund in 2022. This fund sets aside a portion of the state’s annual budget specifically to support Maryland’s municipal sustainability efforts through the Sustainable Maryland program. By offering $100,000 to municipalities that are registered and certified with Sustainable Maryland, these grants seek to bridge the gap between local budget and resource capacity and state funding.

Sustainable Maryland’s mission is to provide opportunities for Maryland municipalities to continue to thrive and build a better tomorrow. With this new grants program, Sustainable Maryland strongly encourages applications from municipalities across the state that seek to protect their natural assets, reduce their carbon footprint, and revitalize and improve the long-term quality of life for current and future generations.

2024 Grant Program

Registered Communities (awards up to $5,000 – up to 4 awards expected)

These grants will be awarded to municipalities registered with the Sustainable Maryland program that are still pursuing certification. Any incorporated Maryland municipality can become registered by creating an account on the Sustainable Maryland website and passing a municipal resolution. Use this sample resolution as a template for drafting your local resolution. The final resolution document must include a signature from the municipal clerk verifying the authenticity of the resolution and indicating the date of passage.   

Certified Communities (awards up to $20,000 – up to 4 awards expected)

These grants will be awarded to municipalities who are registered and either Bronze or Silver-certified in the Sustainable Maryland program. Municipalities obtain certification by completing Actions on the Sustainable Maryland Action Menu that are then submitted to reviewers for approval.

Eligible activities for both tracks in this inaugural year may include, but are not limited to (intended for inspiration):

  • Community gardens/food forests
  • Electric vehicles/charging stations
  • Climate action planning (climate plans, greenhouse gas inventories, resiliency hubs, flood risk planning)
  • Renewable energy (solar panels/solar parking canopies)
  • Green infrastructure (rain gardens, bioswale, pervious paving, green roofs)
  • Biodiversity (native plantings, pollinator meadows/corridors)
  • Energy efficiency (energy audits, LED streetlights, heat pumps, heigh-efficiency HVACs, white roofs)
  • Bicycle/Pedestrican infrastructure or planning (bike lanes, bike parking, bike/ped audits, Safe Routes to School, Complete Streets)
  • Land preservation and enhancement (parks, trails, easements, tree canopy plans)
  • Outreach and education programming

2024: 


All questions regarding the SM Action Grants Program should be directed to SMGrants@umd.edu.