ANNAPOLIS, MD - The City of Annapolis Office of Community Services (OCS) is proud to announce the opening of the Fiscal Year 2026 Children and Families Success Grant application. This funding opportunity is designed to support community-based organizations in creating, expanding, or enhancing youth-centered programs that promote healthy child development, foster community resilience, and reduce opportunity gaps for Annapolis families.
The grant program, championed by Alderman DaJuan Gay in 2022 and expanded in 2023, continues its mission of investing in Annapolis youth through safe, structured, and enrichment-based child care programs. Organizations serving low-income neighborhoods and offering programming that reflects equity, diversity, and inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply.
“The Children and Families Success Grant is a meaningful investment in our city’s future,” said Mayor Gavin Buckley. “By funding organizations that create safe and engaging spaces for children, we strengthen families and empower communities.”
Key Details:
- Application Period: Opens Monday, June 16, 2025; closes Thursday, July 25, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
- Funding Amount: Up to $10,000 per organization; a minimum of five grants will be awarded.
- Program Period: July 2025 to June 2026.
- Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations and businesses providing free or scholarship-based programming within the City of Annapolis.
Programs eligible for funding must take place at physical locations in Annapolis and offer structured, adult-supervised activities that build physical, emotional, social, behavioral, or intellectual capacities in children. Examples include recreation, arts, science and tech, youth development, life skills, wellness, and other enrichment activities. Projects addressing after-school and summer child care needs, particularly those operating between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., are highly encouraged.
To apply, organizations must complete the application in the official Application Portal. A full list of application questions and a budget template are available in the portal under “Grant Documents.” It is recommended that applicants draft their responses in a separate document before entering them into the portal.
Applicants who are unable to use the portal may request approval to submit a paper or email application by contacting Iesha Young, Manager of the Office of Community Services, at (410) 263-7997 ext. 6408 or via email at isyoung@annapolis.gov.
All applications will be evaluated based on alignment with grant objectives, community impact, innovation, equity, organizational capacity, financial stewardship, and program evaluation plans. Final decisions will be made by August 8, with award letters sent by August 13. The first disbursement (75% of the funds) will be released the week of August 25, pending receipt of signed contracts.
For more information and to access the application portal, visit the City of Annapolis website or contact the Office of Community Services at communityservices@annapolis.gov.
