Through the Community Engagement and Restoration Mini Grant Program, the Trust seeks to engage new applicants and organizations from a diverse array of communities in small-scale projects that enhance communities, engage residents, and improve natural resources. With this goal in mind, the Trust offers a Mentorship Opportunity to first-time applicants in need of assistance in applying to the mini grant program. The Mentorship Opportunity is also an initiative to foster working relationships between organizations who are experienced in grant-writing and project management and those that are new to the Trust’s programs.
Why participate: As a mentor organization, you’re able to broaden your network of volunteers and partnerships. Mentors who successfully mentor a new organization have the renewed ability to apply for a mini grant. As a mentee organization, you benefit from the expertise and technical support of an organization familiar with grant writing and project implementation. This is also an opportunity for mentee organizations to form new partnerships for future projects.
Who can participate: Mentors: Organizations that have received more than three grants from any of the Trust’s programs and can make available at least 8 hours to support a new applicant. Mentees: Organizations that are new applicants to the Trust and are therefore eligible to apply to the mini grant program.
Program Description
View the Mentorship Program Guidelines and Participating Mentors
View Program Description
Questions & Technical Support
Kayleigh Katzenberger
kkatzenberger@cbtrust.org
410-974-2941 x127
Mentor List
Below are the participating Mentor Organizations, in alphabetical order. The full description of each Mentor Organization can be accessed in the Program Description. If you are interested in serving as a Mentor, please contact the mini grant program’s manager.
Adkins Arboretum
As a mentor we can assist new applicants with:
-Program Development
-Environmental Education
-Native Plant Information and Purchase
Contact
Ginna Tiernan – gtiernan@adkinsarboretum.org
Annapolis Maritime Museum
The AMM has extensive experience applying for and receiving grants from the CBT. The staff at the AMM can assist with program development especially in environmental education, using the CBT grant portal and assembling and reviewing grant packages.
Contact
Kelly Swartout, Vice President of Development- kswartout@amaritime.org
Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy
The Anne Arundel Watershed Stewards Academy can assist with:
Grant writing support, community outreach and project development guided by the principles of DEIJ.
Contact: Noelle Chao, Director of Education and Equity Initiatives, noelle@aawsa.org
Arundel Rivers Federation
The Arundel Rivers Federation is pleased to offer the following skills:
- Using the CBT Grant Portal to submit a grant.
- Assembling grant packages including technical attachments
- Advice/best practices on hosting volunteer and outreach events
- Willing to review restoration plans for projects less than 5,000 square feet
- Guidance on submitting Standard Grading Plan permits for projects less than 5,000 square feet
- Assistance in developing planting plan and ordering plants
- Reviewing final grant application
Contact
Jennifer Carr – jennifer@arundelrivers.org; 717-575-8214
Nature Forward
Nature Forward would be glad to offer the following assistance to organizations:
- Using the CBT grant portal
- Preparing grant packages
- Environmental education or conservation advocacy program development
Contact
Lin Orrin – lin.orrin@natureforward.org; 301-652-9188 x34
Katrina Weinig – Katrina.Weinig@natureforward.org
Lower Shore Land Trust
Areas of expertise
Community outreach, fundraising, land protection, rain gardens and pollinator garden installation, volunteer recruitment
Contact
Matt Heim – mrheim@lslt.org; 443-234-5587
Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway
Areas of Expertise
Project/Grant Management
- We view and rank partner grants for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and, with their funding, we manage our own mini-grant program. This has provided the opportunity to gain a lot of experience in reviewing grant applications, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and making suggestions for improvement.
- Including partner and mini grants, we have been involved in the application and/or management of 100+ grants.
Stewardship Programs
- We have hosted 20 annual River Sweep shoreline clean-ups, removing well over 114 tons of debris from the Upper Bay and its tributaries. These are regional cleanups involving hundreds of volunteers occurring at 10+ sites throughout 2 counties.
- We co-host an annual National Trails Day event to perform trail maintenance and bring exposure to our trails.
Contact
Brigitte Carty – brigitte@upperbaytrails.com; 410-457-2482
Maryland Water Monitoring Council
The Maryland Water Monitoring Council is pleased to offer the following skills to organizations:
- Drafting the basic requirements of a grant proposal.
- Using the CBT Grant Portal to submit a grant.
- Advice on outreach and hosting workshops/conferences.
- Providing expert advice on issues related to water monitoring and assessment, programs and policy.
Contact
Dan Boward, MWMC Executive Secretary – dan.boward@maryland.gov; 410.260.8605
Olde Severna Park Improvement Association
Skills and services
Experience as an Anne Arundel County Master Watershed Steward since 2009. Experience in writing successful grants for stormwater management projects for my community – Olde Severna Park Improvement Association.
Contact
Ann Jackson – annjackson61@gmail.com; 443-223-7236
Pigtown Main Street
Skills and services:
We engage residents and small business owners through cleaning and greening initiatives. We also offer technical assistance to small business owners, partner with property owners to recruit new small businesses and host free neighborhood events that foster community pride.
Contact
Kim Lane – director@historicpigtown.org
Potomac Conservancy
Potomac Conservancy is pleased to offer the following skills to organizations:
- Preparing winning grant proposals
- Reviewing applications
- Using the CBT web portal
- Developing program strategies
Contact
Rebecca Luib – luib@potomac.org
ShoreRivers
ShoreRivers is pleased to offer the following skills to organizations:
- Using the CBT grant portal to apply for and manage grants
- Program development
- Provide guidance on how to assemble grant packages including technical attachments such as planting plans, restoration concepts and designs, contractor bids, monitoring and maintenance plans, and program evaluations
- Provide guidance in developing citizen science programs, community outreach plans including DEIJ components, behavior change and awareness campaigns, and environmental education curriculum
- Provide guidance in developing a proposal budget
- Final review of grant proposal
Contact
Darran White Tilghman, Director of Community Engagement – dtilghman@shorerivers.org
*Unable to accept mentees from August 2024-January 2025
St. Mary's College of Maryland
We can help with a wide array of research projects that align with the CBT’s mission and that fit the CBT Community Engagement Mini Grant guidelines. Please contact us via e-mail if you’d like to enter a mentor-mentee relationship with ORSP staff at SMCM while developing your CBT Community Engagement Mini Grant. Please include a brief abstract (~200 words) that explains your project and why you think we might be a good fit as mentors. We are a small office, so may only be able to mentor one applicant at a time.
Contact
Adam Malisch, Research Administrator – ajmalisch@smcm.edu
Mentor
Dr. Sabine Dillingham, Director of Research and Sponsored Programs
The 6th Branch
The 6th Branch can assist with:
Technical assistance regarding grant applications, to include advice on grant-writing strategies, advice and support for management of funds and reporting requirements. T6B also offers fiscal sponsorship for projects and programs that fit within our core mission to support community development through greenspace enhancement in Baltimore City.
Contact: Scott Goldman, Executive Director, scottgoldman@the6thbranch.org
Town of Edmonston
Town of Edmonston can assist with:
- We have been successful in getting grants from Chesapeake Bay Trust, Safe Routes to Schools, Kaiser’s Healthy Eating, Active Living and Maryland Heritage Trust Areas.
- The town’s motto is “Green is not only Edmonston’s favorite color, but it’s our way of life.”
- We can help up to 20 hours per mentee.
- Edmonston’s demographics are that its population is 48% Latino and 35% African American. The town lies in the developed tier of Prince George’s County-approximately 2.5 miles from the District of Columbia.
Contact
Rod Barnes – rbarnes@edmonstonmd.gov; 301-699-8806
