Speaker Adrienne A. Jones African American Heritage Preservation Program Non-Capital Grants

The Speaker Adrienne A. Jones African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP) non-capital grants provide $250,000 to support staffing, planning, and programming at African American museums and historic sites across Maryland. 

The program is jointly administered by the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) and the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC).  

Timeline  

• Application opens: early October 
• Application deadline: mid-November 
• Awards announced: March 

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact MHT or MCAAHC staff early in project planning for guidance.   

Eligible applicants  

• Nonprofit organizations 
• Local governments 
• Businesses 
• Individuals  

Eligible projects  

Projects must:  

• Be located in Maryland  
• Demonstrate a clear, direct connection to African American history, culture, or heritage   

These non-capital grants can be used to:  

• Hire staff or consultants to preserve and protect ​heritage sites    
• Create plans to guide heritage site management and preservation   
• Launch community programs through education, storytelling, and the arts to connect people with culture  

Grant funds cannot pay for routine maintenance, fundraising expenses, clergy and janitorial staff, or work that has already started or been finished. See the grant guidelines for a longer list of eligible and ineligible costs.   

Available funding  

• Applicants may request up to $50,000 in funding. 
• A match is not required.  

How to apply  

1. Review the current grant guidelines. 
2. Confirm applicant and project eligibility. 
3. Watch the application webinar. 
4. Prepare required attachments such as cost estimates, photographs, and letters of support. 
5. Submit a completed application through the grants portal before the posted deadline.