Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program
Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant Program supports Maryland community groups and land trusts through stewardship, conservation, and tree-planting projects that address local environmental needs.
Funder: Chesapeake Bay Trust
Due Dates: December 1, 2026, 4:00 p.m. EST (application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 (Track 1); $10,000 (Track 2); $10,000 or $50,000 (Track 3); $5,000 (Aileen Hughes Award)
Summary: Supports environmental stewardship, land-trust capacity, and tree planting on agricultural land across Maryland.
Key Information: Track 3 sites must be zoned for agricultural use; Track 2 land trusts need a current Maryland Environmental Trust Cooperative Agreement.
Description
The Chesapeake Bay Trust runs Keep Maryland Beautiful with the Maryland Environmental Trust, Maryland Department of Agriculture, and Maryland Department of Transportation. The program supports community-based organizations working to increase civic engagement, encourage stewardship, and address local environmental problems across Maryland.
Community Stewardship funds small, community-driven education, outreach, and hands-on projects. Land Trust Assistance supports conservation, monitoring, stewardship, and organizational capacity. Tree Planting on Agricultural Lands funds afforestation and reforestation to increase forested acreage. The related Aileen Hughes Award recognizes leadership, partnership, or innovation by an individual representing a Maryland land trust; funding goes to a land trust on that person’s behalf.
