Annapolis, MD – The City of Annapolis is continuing to roll out up to $200,000 in “Adopt-a-Community” grant funds available to non-profit organizations that serve Annapolis communities. The maximum grant for each organization is $25,000. The funding eligibility period runs through the end of the City’s fiscal year, June 2023.
Grantees are requested to be valid 501c3 nonprofit organizations that provide community members with resources and programming. The grants are one-time funding sources as approved by the Annapolis City Council and are being managed through the Office of Community Services.
In 2022, during the City of Annapolis budget process, Ward Four Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson introduced an amendment to offer grant funding to organizations who are willing to adopt a community, providing connections to resources and support. Those communities include: Bay Ridge Gardens, Harbor House and Eastport Terrace, Bywater, Robinwood, Annapolis Gardens, Admiral Oaks, Woodside Gardens, Wilbourne Estates, Obery Court, and College Creek Terrace.
“Our goal is to lift up existing organizations by providing funding to help them build capacity,” said Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson. “The past few years have been particularly trying for most of us. For those in vulnerable neighborhoods, access to resources has been exponentially strained. We are hopeful this grant funding will help existing organizations deepen their reach and expand their effectiveness.”
The grants will focus on funding organizations that develop relationships with residents, increase community ownership and empowerment, direct residents to resources, and approach multi-generational engagement in a culturally competent way. The grantees are expected to be informed of community needs, issues and urgencies.
Details and the application are available on the City website: https://www.annapolis.gov/1968/FY23-Annapolis-Building-Resilient-Commun
Those interested in submitting an application for an Adopt-a-Community grant, and those organizations who have already submitted applications, are invited to an informational meeting to hear of the goals and desired outcomes, along with the new calendar for the funding. That meeting will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 15 in City Council Chambers.
Applications continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until the funds are exhausted.
