Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Adult ESOL Program Grant

Funder: Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy (MCAEL)

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

    Email: program@mcael.org

    Phone: 301-881-1338

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

    How to Apply

    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.

    What Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy actually gave

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2025

    Grants in 2025
    24
    Total given
    $1.47M
    Median grant
    $20K
    Range
    $6,509–$315K
    • By dollars: Maryland 91%, District of Columbia 9%. Top recipient cities: Gaithersburg, MD; Silver Spring, MD; Rockville, MD.
    • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

    Example grants

    • Jewish Social Service Agency · Rockville, MD

      Support esol program

      $315K

    • Classroom 2 Community · Rockville, MD

      Support esol program

      $234K

    • CASA Inc · Hyattsville, MD

      Support esol program

      $220K

    • Community Reach of Montgomery Count · Rockville, MD

      Support esol program

      $161K

    • Seneca Creek Community Church · Gaithersburg, MD

      Support esol program

      $99K

    IRS Form 990-PF, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitsimmigrationliteracyworkforce-development

    Categories

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