LEONARDTOWN, Md. — The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County will accept grant proposals from local nonprofit organizations starting Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2025, for inclusion in the fiscal year 2027 county budget.
The annual Notice of Funding Availability, released Monday, marks the beginning of the competitive process through which St. Mary’s County Government allocates approximately $1.2 million each year to community-based organizations that provide health, human services, arts, recreation, and public-safety programs for county residents.
All applications must be submitted through a new online portal at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/nonprofit. Paper submissions will not be accepted. The system allows organizations to create an account, save progress, and revise entries until the final deadline of 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.
Eligible applicants must hold active 501(c)(3) or equivalent nonprofit status and deliver direct services to St. Mary’s County residents. Funds may be requested for program support, capital improvements, or operational needs that align with county priorities outlined in the notice.
The Department of Finance will host a mandatory-orientation training session on the application platform Thursday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. The one-hour virtual workshop is designed to walk first-time and returning applicants through account creation, required attachments, budget forms, and common errors. Registration is required by contacting Shelly Bean at (301) 475-4200 ext. 1211 or nonprofithelp@stmaryscountymd.gov.
Questions about eligibility or the process should be emailed to the same address. County staff has emphasized that the portal locks permanently at the January deadline and late submissions cannot be considered.
The nonprofit funding cycle runs parallel to the broader FY2027 budget development process. Commissioners held their first Budget Work Session on Nov. 18 and will continue deliberations through spring 2026. Final awards are typically approved with the overall county budget in May and distributed beginning July 1, 2026.
Last fiscal year, 48 organizations received grants ranging from $2,500 to more than $100,000 each. Major recipients included the St. Mary’s County Health Department for behavioral health services, Three Oaks Center, the Christmas in April program, and several youth sports and arts groups.
Residents can follow the entire budget process, including nonprofit presentations scheduled for February and March 2026, through multiple platforms: in-person attendance at the Chesapeake Building, live broadcast on Channel 95, or streaming on the county’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@StMarysCoGov.
The full Notice of Funding Availability and links to the application portal are posted at www.stmaryscountymd.gov/nonprofit.