Adult ESOL Program Grant

Geographic Scope: Montgomery County, Maryland

Purpose: Maintain, expand, and improve the delivery of adult ESOL services. Funding can support supplementary services that enable more learners to attend ESOL classes, such as childcare and transportation support, as well as strengthen program management and organizational capacity.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or have similar IRS designation, or have a partnership that includes a nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status
• Be incorporated under state law
• Offer at least 120 hours of instructional time per year per learner (e.g., 3 hrs/week for 40 weeks)
• Have established infrastructure with staff and standard ESOL program components in place, including assessment measures
• Demonstrate solid track record of successfully carrying out the program
• Have managed enrollment for classes with registration dates and session start/end dates (not drop-in)
• While offices can be outside Montgomery County, beneficiaries must be Montgomery County residents or employed in Montgomery County

Funding Notes

• Organizations may apply regardless of whether they applied for other County-administered grant programs
• Funding is not guaranteed in subsequent years – dependent on performance in current/previous years
• Total MCAEL grants program announced $1,505,853 in FY25

Contact Information

Address: 9210 Corporate Blvd., Suite 480, Rockville, MD 20850

Application Process

1. Review Grant Guidelines and application documents available on MCAEL website
2. Complete App Data and Budget Workbook (requires Excel or Google Sheets)
3. Access the MCAEL Grant Portal to submit application
4. Refer to MCAEL's Interactive maps and analysis when developing application

Required Materials

• Completed application form
• Budget workbook with detailed expenses
• Organization documentation (501(c)(3) status, incorporation papers)
• Program information (hours of instruction, infrastructure details, enrollment management procedures)
• Track record documentation

Support Available

• Q&A sessions with MCAEL staff (typically offered in March before application deadline)
• Grant Information sessions (recordings available if missed)
• Technical assistance available via email at program@mcael.org
• Applicants can request assistance if they need help with Excel or Google Sheets

Questions

For questions about whether your organization aligns with MCAEL priorities, contact MCAEL directly.