Rural Maryland Council Announces FY2017 MAERDAF Grant – Applications Due July 15

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) is now accepting grant applications for the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF).

From the grant announcement, MAERDAF

offers important financial support to rural-serving nonprofit organizations that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education efforts. The Fund also provides targeted financial assistance to community colleges that support small and agricultural businesses through enhanced training and technical assistance offerings.

Between FY 2001 and FY 2016, the MAERDAF program awarded $3.25 million in grants to over 75 organizations. Many rural-serving organizations have been able to establish or continue programs and projects that have had a significant and positive impact on Rural Maryland because of the MAERDAF program. Moreover, the Fund has helped many nonprofits develop institutional capacity, improve grant-writing skills, and enhance the internal development of volunteer boards and staff.

The Rural Maryland Council administers MAERDAF in partnership with the Maryland Departments of Agriculture, Maryland Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maryland Departments of Business and Economic Development, Maryland Departments of Housing and Community Development, and Maryland Departments of Natural Resources.

For Fiscal Year 2017, the RMC is particularly interested in proposals that address the following:  Agriculture, Energy, Rural Broadband, Healthcare, Youth Engagement and Workforce/Economic Development.  Regardless, the Grant Review Board will give full consideration to any application that is submitted.

General Instructions for FY 2017 MAERDAF grant applications click here.

Applications are due July 15, 2016.

Grant application for FY 2017 MAERDAF grant program click here*

*We cannot post a MS Word version of this document to the site.  If you would like a MS Word version, please e-mail rmc.mda@maryland.gov (do not forget final submission must be a PDF file.)

The application submission deadline is July 15, 2016. For eligibility requirements and more information, visit the Maryland Rural Council’s MAERDAF webpage.