Governor Wes Moore today announced 91 matching grant awards totaling more than $4.6 million for Maryland nonprofits, local jurisdictions, and heritage tourism organizations by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Grant funding will support the development of heritage-related, place-based projects across Maryland that promote economic growth through tourism and community enhancement.
History is an active force for promoting economic development and building strength in our communities,” said Gov. Moore. “Projects funded through our Heritage Grant Awards will make Maryland more competitive, support a diverse array of new partnerships, and enrich the lives of thousands of people.
The Heritage Areas Program provides $2.4 billion in annual economic benefit to the state. Maryland Heritage Areas Authority grants generate $319.8 million in state and local taxes while supporting 33,815 full- and part-time jobs annually. Organizations receiving awards include museums, parks, arts organizations, historic sites, schools and other educational institutions, as well as other entities that steward and celebrate the unique cultural and natural resources located within Maryland’s 13 state-certified heritage areas. All of Maryland’s 23 counties and the City of Baltimore will receive grants.
The FY26 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority grant awards represent more than funding — their investments in Maryland’s identity, vitality, and future, said Preservation Maryland President & CEO Nicholas Redding. These grants empower communities across Maryland to tell their stories, preserve treasured places, and drive heritage tourism that supports local economies. We’re grateful to MHAA for their commitment to protecting Maryland’s unique cultural landscapes for generations to come.
The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority is an independent unit of government chaired by Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora and is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust. Since 1997, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority has awarded more than $74 million dollars in grants to hundreds of organizations. These grants have generated over $175 million in non-state matching funds for heritage tourism projects and activities in the state’s 13 heritage areas.
A full list of the FY26 grants is available at mht.maryland.gov.