​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Operating Assistance Grants include funding for Main Street Improvements​ and Technical Assistance Grant.

​The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides funding to assist Maryland’s designated and affiliate Main Street Maryland communities and Baltimore City’s designated Main Street neighborhoods in building capacity to achieve their community revitalization and economic development goals in designated Sustainable Community areas​ throughout the state.

Eligible Applicants

Only designated and aspiring Main Street Maryland communities are eligible to request Main Street Improvement Program funds.

Main Street Improvement Program (MIP) Grant awards are allocated funds distributed to eligible grantees as follows:

• Designated Main Street Maryland Communities with full accreditation on their annual assessment: expected to be $33,000 each.
• Designated Main Street Maryland Communities accredited as affiliate on their annual assessment: expected to be $25,000 each.
• Main Street Maryland Aspiring Communities: expected to be $12,000 each.

Final authorization of these amounts is contingent upon approval by the General Assembly during the FY2027 legislative session.

Eligible Activities

Grants can be used for operating expenses only. Operating costs can include salary, professional services contracts, technology costs, or other costs related to administering the Main Street program.

Capital project costs are not supported through MIP; however, other DHCD programs do support capital costs, such as State Revitalization Programs​.

The requested funds should support projects and/or activities that align with the goals and outcomes of the applicant’s annual work plan and contribute to the transformation strategy of the community. All projects and/or activities should be completed within one year; a funding match is not required.

Division Priorities

The department strives for all Marylanders to live, work and prosper in communities that are affordable, lovable and just. Great places–lovable places–result from consistent targeted investment in locally-driven community reinvestment planning.

To support the core objectives of DHCD, the Division of Neighborhood Revitalization will prioritize revitalization projects that are part of a strategic community plan to:

• Increase the production of mixed-income, middle-market and affordable housing, particularly near transit. DHCD is interested in supporting innovative development approaches—such as modular and off-site construction—to accelerate housing production.
• Increase household and generational wealth building through homeownership, legacy homeowner renovations, and small business development.
• Accelerate the elimination of vacant properties, particularly in Baltimore City.
• Create safer, more appealing public spaces and community facilities that expand access to community services and strengthen neighborhood cohesion.
• Revitalize Maryland's diverse Main Streets, downtowns and commercial cores through projects that: enhance their unique physical, visual, and historic character; improve economic vitality by supporting existing businesses and attracting new ones; and helping small businesses and entrepreneurs connect to resources.

Additional Consideration

The Department will give additional consideration to projects that address the overarching priorities of the Moore-Miller Administration, including projects that:

• Invest in designated Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households (ENOUGH) areas, which represent rural, suburban and urban communities that have been historically impacted by barriers to economic mobility.
• Invest in designated Just Communities​ where all Marylanders, regardless of background, have access to fair housing and economic stability and opportunity, righting the wrongs of the past.

Resources

• A virtual Application Training is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 1-2p. Eligible applicants should have received an invitation for a Google Meets session.
• Individual technical assistance sessions are available; schedule one online via Calendly​.
• Operating Assistance Grant (OAG) Program and Policy Guide​

Application

Application Status: Open

Application Period Opens​: Friday, February 20, 2026 at 8:00 AM(EDT)

Application Period Closes: Friday, March 20, 2026 at 5:00 PM (EDT)

Application Portal​​​​​​​

Submit application through the Project Portal. To access the Project Portal, you must register first. Select "New User?" and complete the registration request form. Approval may take up to 72 hours.

Please make sure your organization profile includes all required documents before submitting your application. Applications missing documents may be disqualified.

Contact Information

Kristin Dawson, Project Manager
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410-209-5847

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Division of Neighborhood Revitalization
2 North Charles Street, Suite 450
Baltimore, MD 21201