Community Quality of Life Grants
Purpose
The City of Takoma Park’s Community Quality of Life Grants Program provides financial support for specific programs, projects, and events that improve the quality of life for City residents by providing greater access and opportunities for participation in the arts and sciences.
Funding Facts
The City’s proposed FY25 budget allocates $50,000 from the general fund for Community Quality of Life grant awards.
Grant Award
Grant awards will range from $5,000-$10,000 for the 12-month funding cycle corresponding to the City’s fiscal year. All funded projects must be completed between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025.
There is a dollar for dollar match requirement. For every dollar of grant funds provided by the City of Takoma Park, grantees must demonstrate a matched dollar of support from a separate source of funding or volunteer time. Matched funds may include donations from other funders, revenue, in-kind donations of goods or services that have a specific value, and documented volunteer hours. Note: volunteer time in Maryland is currently valued at $34.12 per hour, as determined by Independent Sector.
How to Apply
Please apply online through the City’s grants portal. If you are not currently enrolled in our grants portal, you will be prompted to create an account and receive automated updates. If you already have an account, you will see an “Apply” button to begin your application.
Please review the sample application (pdf) so that you are able to prepare your responses and required documentation in advance.
Applications opened April 10, 2024 and must be submitted by May 10, 2024
Questions
Contact the City’s Grants Coordinator at grants@takomaparkmd.gov or 301-891-7235.
Quick Links
Eligible Grant Uses
Eligible projects will fall into one of these three categories:
- Arts and Humanities (A&H) programs, projects, and events;
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs, projects, and events;
- Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) programs, projects, and events.
Beneficiaries of eligible projects must satisfy these requirements:
- At least 75% of the participants must be residents of the City of Takoma Park. For reference, the City of Takoma Park’s geographical boundaries can be found here.
- At least 51% of participants must be from low-to-moderate income households defined as 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The City will work with successful applicants on how to document income eligibility and residency of beneficiaries.
Additionally, while not required, the City is encouraging applications for programming that connects arts and sciences with skills that promote workforce development and entrepreneurial programs for low-and-moderate-income Takoma Park residents.
Past grants have included: science and math clubs, gardening clubs, computer programming classes, concert and film series, art and music classes for school-aged children, maker spaces, technology-based internships, and apprenticeship programs.
Eligibility Criteria
Funding is available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and 501(c)(6) business associations.
The use of a fiscal agent is permitted for those organizations that have applied for but have not yet secured their 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS. Individuals and for-profit enterprises are not eligible for funding.
Award Determination and Process
Completed applications from eligible organizations will be reviewed by a panel comprised of City staff and the Grants Review Committee. Recommendations for grant recipients and award amounts will be presented to City Council for final approval. Grantees will be announced prior to the beginning of the fiscal year, July 1, 2024.
