Call for Applications
2009 MAERDAF Grants Announced
Applications must be received by July 7, 2008
(April 21, 2008) - The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development
Assistance Fund (MAERDAF), administered by the Rural Maryland Council, is now
accepting grant applications from rural-serving nonprofit organizations.
Established in 2000, MAERDAF provides grants to rural-serving nonprofit
organizations that undertake statewide and regional planning, economic and community
development, and agricultural and forestry education projects. MAERDAF also provides
grants to community colleges that support small and agricultural
businesses through enhanced training and technical assistance. Many
rural-serving organizations have been able to establish or continue programs and
projects that have had a significant and positive impact on Rural Maryland because
of the MAERDAF program.
Guidelines for 2009
- Eligible applicants must be a 501(c)(3) IRS tax designation or similar
and serve a regional or statewide rural constituency. Trade associations are not
eligible. The applicant does not have to be located in a rural area or in the
area it serves.
- Eligible projects must serve more than one rural county and be
completed between September 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.
- Rural counties are: Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil,
Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's,
Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester.
- The maximum allowable grant is $50,000; however, most grants are
between $5,000 and $25,000. The average grant is about $18,000.
- Priority is given to applicants that have secured matching funds from
non-state sources; however matching funds are not required. Federal funds are
considered matching funds.
- Only very minor changes in scope are allowed after a grant has been
awarded. For instance, if a grant was awarded to purchase an item, a change in
the brand or supplier may be approved.
- Unused grant funds must be returned to the Rural Maryland Council no
later than June 30, 2009.
- Past and current grantees are eligible for a 2009 grant if they have
met all the requirements of their previous grant agreements, including reporting
deadlines.
- The MAERDAF Grant Review Board is comprised of representatives
appointed by six state agencies. Its decisions are final. Those agencies are:
the Rural Maryland Council, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the Department of
Business & Economic Development, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Department of
Housing & Community Development, and Department of Natural Resources.
- The MAERDAF Program is administered by the Rural Maryland Council;
however, individual grants are administered by the Department of Agriculture, the
Department of Business and Economic Development, and the Department of Housing and
Community Development.
- All applicants will be notified about the status of their application
by late August 2008
How to Submit Your Application Packages