PVHA Mini-Grant Program

Funder: Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG), administered through Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) block grants

Geographic Scope: Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA), including Baltimore County and Howard County, Maryland

Program Purpose: Designed to assist heritage-related sites, organizations and municipalities to develop new and innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, events, and other initiatives consistent with the regional goals and objectives stated within the state and county approved Management Plan.

Focus Areas:

• Collaborative partnerships
• Heritage preservation and enhancement
• Stewardship of natural resources
• Heritage tourism promotion
• Community cultural and historical programming
• Environmental conservation and trail improvements
• Interpretive signage and wayfinding
• Educational programs and exhibits
• Community engagement and public events

Eligibility:

• Heritage-related nonprofit organizations
• Local municipalities
• Community groups within the PVHA
• Organizations with operating budgets (micro-grant option for organizations under $100,000)

Match Requirements:

• All PVHA mini-grants require a 1:1 match (dollar-for-dollar)
• Match can be any combination of cash or in-kind contributions
• Micro-grant option available: Organizations with operating budget below $100,000 and program budget below $1,000 can have 75% of cash match covered by PHG
• Historical requirement: 75% cash match (relaxed in recent years)

What They Fund:

• Program development and implementation
• Exhibits and interpretive materials
• Trail improvements and wayfinding signage
• Educational initiatives
• Community events and festivals
• Preservation projects
• Environmental restoration and habitat work

What They Don't Fund:

• Not explicitly stated in provided materials

Contact Information:

• Email: director@patapsco.org or info@patapsco.org
• Phone: 410.696.1328
• Website: https://patapsco.org/about-us/pvha-mini-grant/
• Executive Director: Aaron Shapiro

Funding Source & History:

• Funded through Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) block grants to PHG
• Typical annual block grant to PHG: $25,000
• Application window typically opens in summer
• Awardees selected through competitive process
• Historical funding levels: FY2019 ($20,000 available), FY2020-FY2022+ ($25,000 available)

Recent Award Examples (FY2022):

• Awards ranged from $950 to $5,000
• 10 organizations funded
• Total distributed: ~$28,000

Program Notes:

• Encourages inter-organizational collaboration
• Emphasizes accessibility to wide range of partners including smaller organizations
• Micro-grant program launched to support smaller organizations with limited cash match capacity

Application Process

Submission Timeline:

• Application window typically opens in summer
• Specific deadline date not provided in materials (check patapsco.org/about-us/pvha-mini-grant/ for current year deadline)

Required Materials:

• Grant application form (available on PHG website)
• Project description and goals
• Budget and budget narrative
• Evidence of matching funds commitment (cash or in-kind)
• Organizational information and mission statement
• Proof of 501(c)(3) status (for nonprofits)

Application Details:

• Competitive selection process
• Applications reviewed based on alignment with Management Plan goals
• Focus on collaborative partnerships and heritage tourism impact
• Organizations must demonstrate matching fund capability

Submission Format:

• Contact PHG for specific submission instructions and deadlines
• Email: info@patapsco.org or director@patapsco.org
• Phone: 410.696.1328

Key Application Considerations:

• Clearly articulate connection to heritage preservation, stewardship, or tourism
• Identify collaborative partners if applicable
• Provide detailed budget with line items
• Document sources and amounts of matching funds (cash and/or in-kind)
• For micro-grant consideration (if qualifying), indicate budget size and request match assistance