The Baltimore Heritage Area Association (DBA- The Baltimore National Heritage Area) administers the Neighborhood Placemaking Grant Program. Launched in 2018, this grant program is a source of funding designed to provide small, but strategic investments in cultural heritage tourism (non-capital) projects within the heritage area. This highly competitive grant program awards $25,000 a year and grant amounts range from $1,500 - $5,000 with a required match.

The goal of the Neighborhood Placemaking Grant Program is to assist neighborhoods:

• With enhancing their quality of life through heritage tourism stewardship;
• Become more visitor-friendly and visitor-ready;
• Balance community and tourism; and
• Increase awareness of the Baltimore National Heritage Area and its resources for neighborhoods.

Interpretive Signage Guidelines:
Neighborhood Placemaking Grant funds may be used for the creation of interpretive signage.

Interpretive signage in parks operated by the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks (BCRP) must adhere to city specifications and cost estimates as a requirement. Please see the application guidelines for projects in city parks and the approval process. Please plan two weeks to receive approval from BCRP and a letter of support. This documentation must be uploaded to the grant application at the time of submission.

For all other interpretive signage projects, please review BNHA's recommended guidelines for interpretive signage projects. The National Park Service has also created a comprehensive guide for creating wayside exhibits and interpretive signage. The guide is available for free from the NPS Harper's Ferry Center. Projects that follow these best practices will score higher on their application due to the required due diligence.

Eligible activities must address or complete a priority activity identified in and consistent with the goals, objectives, strategies, and actions outlined in the Baltimore National Heritage Area Comprehensive Management Plan. Generally, grants will be made as one-time awards and not for ongoing projects or activities that require a multi-year grant commitment. 

WHO CAN APPLY

Due to congressionally mandated boundaries, the proposed project must be within the heritage area's boundary.

Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations and tax-exempt community/neighborhood associations in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, qualified to do business in Maryland, and have the legal capacity and authority to incur obligations involved under the grant program. 

GETTING STARTED WITH THE APPLICATION PROCESS

• BNHA uses an online system for the grant process, which you can access once the grant cycle begins. Create a user account to allow you to save a working version of your application before final submission. 
• First-time applicants to Baltimore National Heritage Area are required to contact Kenyona Moore, Interpretation and Outreach Coordinator at kmoore@baltimoreheritagearea.org.
• An overview of the grant application and guidelines is available. A link to this document is provided below.
• Your grant application must include a specific budget form. A link to this form is provided below.
• The online system has strict word limits. Take a look at this primer on tips for writing with brevity and clarity.

FORMS FOR YOUR APPLICATION