The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture (MCAAHC) and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) will hold in-person workshops and virtual sessions to inform the public about available funding for capital grants through the African American Heritage Preservation Program (AAHPP). The workshops are free to attend, but registration is required. The in-person workshops will be offered on April 14, 2026, in Calvert County and on June 4,2026, in Annapolis. The virtual sessions will be offered on April 27, 2026 and May 19,2026. Full details, including information on how to register, can be found on the AAHPP webpage.
The AAHPP provides grants to assist in the preservation of buildings, sites, or communities of historical and cultural importance to the African American experience in Maryland. This competitive program is funded through an appropriation from the Maryland General Assembly and is administered as a partnership between the MCAAHC and MHT. The AAHPP has an annual appropriation of $5 million. Grant awards range from $10,000 to $250,000.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local government jurisdictions. Business entities and individuals may also apply for program grants when seeking funds for a preservation or development project that serves a high public purpose. There is no match requirement for this grant program. During these workshops, the eligibility of applicant organizations, properties, and projects; documentation required for the application; selection criteria; and more will be discussed.
Program guidelines and associated application information are located on the AAHPP webpage. For assistance with developing project purpose and scope, programming, and project prioritization, contact Alex Anderson, Research Specialist at the MCAAHC, at alexandria.anderson@maryland.gov. For assistance with program eligibility and budgetary or construction and technical preservation questions, contact Stacy Montgomery, MHT Capital Programs Administrator, at stacy.montgomery@maryland.gov.
About the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture:
The Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture is committed to discovering, documenting, preserving, collecting, and promoting Maryland’s African American heritage. The Commission also provides technical assistance to institutions and groups with similar objectives. Through the accomplishment of this mission, the MCAAHC seeks to educate Maryland citizens and visitors about the significance and impact of the African American experience in Maryland.
About the Maryland Historical Trust:
The Maryland Historical Trust is a state agency dedicated to preserving and interpreting the legacy of Maryland’s past. Through research, conservation and education, MHT assists the people of Maryland in understanding their historical and cultural heritage. Part of the Maryland Department of Planning, MHT serves as Maryland’s State Historic Preservation Office pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
