Maryland Heritage Areas Grant Program

Management Grants for Heritage Area Management Entities

Certified Heritage Area (CHA) management entities may receive MHAA matching grant funding for support of their operations.

For more information, email or call Richard Hughes, MHAA Administrator , or (410) 514-7685.

If you are a current grantee looking for information about reporting requirements, payment requests, contract questions, or other issues related to grant administration, please click here.

Eligible Activities

Eligible operating expenses include

• Salary and benefit expenses for CHA staff; employer taxes
• Contracted services (e.g. planning consultant, bookkeeping, payroll/accounting services, design services, e-newsletter hosting & archiving services)
• Printing (e.g. newsletters, plans, annual reports, CHA-specific brochures)
• Postage
• Telephone (land line and cell phone/mobile devices. For full-cost reimbursement devices must be used solely or primarily for CHA management purposes. If the device will also be used for non-CHA purposes, costs must be pro-rated to reflect only the portion attributable to CHA use)
• Website maintenance (hosting and routine updates of CHA website - does not include major changes and new website development); if major changes or new website development is contemplated, please contact MHAA staff to determine eligibility for management grant funds.
• Staff training and conferences(e.g. conference attendance, attending training workshops).  The training or conference must be directly related to CHA duties performed by staff members.)
• Expenses of workshops/training hosted by CHA (e.g. grants training workshops for partner organizations, site docent training)
• Equipment purchase, lease, installation and maintenance (e.g. computers, office furnishings, copiers, etc. For full-cost reimbursement equipment must be used solely or primarily for CHA management purposes; if equipment will also be used for non-CHA purposes, costs must be pro-rated to reflect only the portion attributable to CHA use.  Computer equipment is generally expected to have a minimum 3-year lifespan before replacement.)
• Software purchase, lease, updates (software must be required for the conduct of CHA management programs and functions)
• Utility Costs for CHA office space
• Travel and transportation expenses related to CHA activities
• CHA-related memberships and dues
• Fundraising/development activities - Recurring, large-scale fundraising events such as annual festivals or concert series generally should be funded through a Programming grant.
• Insurance

• Audits
• General Office Supplies

MHAA management grant funds may not be used to pay for capital, marketing, or programming activities.

Mini-grants/Discretionary Funds

In addition, Heritage Areas may set aside up to 25%, but not more than $10,000, of a Certified Heritage Area operating assistance grant for discretionary purposes.  These funds may be used by the heritage area to provide assistance to heritage area partners (for example through a mini-grant program), to support one or more non-capital projects, or to pay for other non-capital expenses that support the goals and objectives of the heritage area management plan. 

The funds may not be used to pay for capital or marketing activities. 

All standard MHAA requirements for matching funds must be met for operating funds utilized for discretionary purposes.

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants include

• Non-profit organizations and local jurisdictions that have been identified as management entities of Certified Heritage Areas.
  
• Non-profit organizations and local jurisdictions to which certified heritage area (CHA) management responsibilities have been delegated by a CHA management entity.

Nonprofit organizations must be in good standing with the State of Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, be qualified to do business in Maryland, and have the legal capacity and authority to incur obligations under the grant program.  Contact the State Department of Assessments and Taxation to determine your organization’s status.

Award Amounts

The maximum Management Grant is $100,000.

Matching Requirements

All grants must be matched in an amount at least equal to the amount of the grant award (dollar-for-dollar match). 

• The match must consist of a cash match equal to at least 75% of the grant award (e.g. if $100,000 of MHAA grant funds is awarded, a minimum of $75,000 of the grantee’s total match must be cash).The balance of project match may consist of in-kind contributions. 
• State of Maryland funds may not be used as match.

Application Process and Timeline

Applications must be submitted by close of business on April 6, 2012.

For more information email or call Richard Hughes, MHAA Administrator, or (410) 514-7685.