Keep Maryland Beautiful

The Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program is a partnership between the Chesapeake Bay Trust and Maryland Environmental Trust (MET), Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).

This grant program builds the capacity of land trusts and supports other community-based organizations that are increasing civic engagement and the adoption of stewardship practices and developing solutions to local environmental problems. Proposed projects activate residents and encourage stewardship through education, outreach, and planting activities while increasing awareness of and working towards addressing local environmental problems.

Funding available:

Total funding pool: The funding partners have $114,074 available in FY27, including:

Track 1: Community Stewardship

Approximately $54,074 available with requests of up to $5,000

Track 2: Land Trust Assistance

Approximately $60,000 available with requests of up to $10,000

Aileen Hughes Award:

Approximately $5,000 available with requests of $5,000

Timeline:

Deadline to Apply: Applicants must submit applications in the Chesapeake Bay Trust Online System by 4:00PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on December 1, 2026. Late Applications will not be accepted, and the online funding opportunity will close automatically and promptly at 4PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit at least a few days prior to the deadline given the potential for high website traffic on the due date.

The Trust cannot guarantee the availability of technical assistance for our online system on the deadline date.

Project Timeline: Projects must be completed within 12 months of receiving the award. Requests to extend the project completion period will reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.

Is match required: Match is encouraged but not required.

Who can apply: Non-profit organizations, local governments and municipalities, community and homeowner associations, faith-based organizations, and more. See the RFP for full list of organizations.

Application Process: The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s applications are all submitted though an online system. If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact Program Officer, Outreach and Education, Marylin Veiman Echeverría at 410-974-2941, ext. 130 or at Mveiman@cbtrust.org

View the previous year announcement for the 2025 Keep Maryland Beautiful Awards: Keep Maryland Beautiful Grants Award $238,751 for Conservation Efforts for 2025

To see the list of funded projects from last year (FY65), click here.

Aileen Hughes Award Program

The Aileen Hughes Grant is awarded annually to an individual representing a Maryland land trust who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in land conservation. Funding is awarded to a land trust on behalf of an individual and their good work. The grant honors the late Aileen Hughes, a leader in the conservation movement, supporter of women’s and civil rights, and protector of our State’s natural and cultural resources. Aileen was the president of the American Chestnut Land Trust for many years.

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

Who can apply: Maryland land trusts can nominate an individual from their own land trust or another Maryland land trust for the Aileen Hughes Award.

Award Objectives: To support and acknowledge leaders in Maryland’s land trust community and to encourage a high level of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.

Application Process: The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s applications are all submitted though an online system. If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact Program Officer, Outreach and Education, Marylin Veiman-Echeverría at 410-974-2941, ext. 130 or at Mveiman@cbtrust.org