State Grants (Maryland Heritage Areas Authority)

State Grants (Maryland Heritage Areas Authority - MHAA)

Grants supporting projects involving historical, cultural, or natural resources, sites, events, or facilities with a heritage tourism component.

Geographic Scope: Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (Maryland)

Eligible Project Types:

• Projects involving a visitor destination (museum, visitor center, nature center)
• Projects providing facilities and services supporting heritage tourism (e.g., rehabilitating historic building for tourism use)
• New events creating long-term increase in visitation to Heritage Area
• Must have a heritage tourism component

What is NOT Funded: Projects without heritage tourism component

Match Requirements:

• Dollar-for-dollar match (amount at least equal to grant award)
• Cash match must equal at least 75% of grant award (e.g., if $100,000 awarded, minimum $75,000 must be cash)
• No more than 35% of minimum required cash match may consist of applicant staff salaries
• Balance of project match may consist of in-kind contributions
• State of Maryland funds may NOT be used as match
• Contact ATHA Inc. staff for possible matching solutions

Award Process Timeline:

• Letter of Intent due: January (through Maryland Historical Trust online grants portal)
• Draft applications due to ATHA: March
• ATHA review committee reviews, ranks, and submits to MHAA
• MHAA staff review for completeness and accuracy
• Complete applications forwarded to MHAA Grant Review Panel
• Panel recommendations forwarded to MHAA for final action at Authority's July meeting
• Awards announced: July
• Funds dispersed: Fall/Winter

Application Process

Timeline and Deadlines:

1. Letter of Intent: Due in January through Maryland Historical Trust online grants portal
2. Draft Application: Due to ATHA in March
3. Review Stage: ATHA review committee reviews, ranks, and submits to MHAA
4. MHAA Review: MHAA staff review for completeness and accuracy; may request additional information
5. Panel Review: Complete applications forwarded to MHAA Grant Review Panel
6. Final Action: Panel recommendations forwarded to MHAA for final action at Authority's July meeting
7. Announcement & Disbursement: Awards announced in July; funds dispersed Fall/Winter

Required Materials:

• Letter of Intent (submitted through Maryland Historical Trust online portal)
• Draft application (submitted to ATHA)
• Complete application (as requested by MHAA)
• Match documentation (proof of cash and/or in-kind commitments; State of Maryland funds cannot be used)

Submission Portal: Maryland Historical Trust online grants portal (for Letter of Intent)

Contact for Questions: ATHA Inc. staff at info@anacostiatrails.org