Announcing Maryland Climate Partners 2026 Community Engagement Awards
Maryland Climate Partners is proud to announce our 2026 Community Engagement Awards!
In 2022, Maryland passed the Climate Solutions Now Act, requiring Maryland to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 60% from 2006 levels by 2031, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. In 2023, the state released its roadmap to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction goals set in the statute through the Climate Pollution Reduction Plan.
The state is taking an all-of-government approach to climate solutions, and it will take all of us to help bring it to fruition. The Climate Partners Community Engagement Awards are in service to help advance the goals of the Climate Pollution Reduction Plan by supporting community-based organizations across Maryland engaging people on climate action, solutions, and equity.
What are the Community Engagement Awards?
The awards recognize and strengthen the work of community-serving organizations that are already advancing initiatives that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving the well-being of Maryland residents, whether through education, capacity building, health, housing, transportation, environmental justice, or other community priorities.
These are awards, not grants. Our goal is to support your existing work without a lengthy application or burdensome reporting requirements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Maryland-based, community-serving organizations that are deploying climate solutions are eligible to apply. This includes groups working in areas such as community resilience, energy, environment, housing, health, transportation, or justice — all rooted in solutions that advance climate equity. If you are unsure whether your work is considered climate equity, we encourage you to apply anyway!
For-profit businesses are not eligible for these awards.
Past Community Engagement Awardees are welcome to apply again — see "What types of work do these awards support?" below for what we're looking for from returning applicants.
What types of work do these awards support?
We take a broad view of climate equity work, but every project should have a clear, direct connection to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving community environmental health, and/or engaging people in developing climate solutions.
Examples include:
Helping residents reduce home energy usage and cost while maintaining comfortable temperatures (e.g., weatherization, energy efficiency)
Engaging people in conversations about climate solutions
Building community resilience to flooding, heat, or other climate impacts
Improving air quality and health in overburdened communities
Supporting youth, faith-based, or neighborhood initiatives on climate and environment
Your organization does not have to be solely focused on climate solutions to be eligible — but your project should have a direct climate connection, and your application should explain how the award will support climate equity.
These awards are designed to recognize the work of many organizations across Maryland, rather than serve as sustained funding for the same organizations each year. Organizations that received a 2025 award are encouraged to apply for a new project or a new area of work in 2026.
What is the award amount?
Thanks to the generous support of our funders, we have a number of awards to offer this year. Each award is $5,000 and is awarded through a competitive application process. We plan to offer this opportunity again in 2027 as well.
What is the anticipated timeline?
Applications open: September 14, 2026
Application deadline: November 19, 2026
Award selections finalized: December 31, 2026
Awards disbursed: January 2027
How will applications be reviewed?
Applications will be reviewed by the Maryland Climate Partners Steering Committee. Priority will be given to applications that:
Expand the capacity of the organization and/or the community it serves
Advance climate equity in alignment with the goals of the Climate Pollution Reduction Plan
Succinctly describe the connections of the organization’s work to climate solutions
Demonstrate strong community connections and engagement
Awards will not support direct political advocacy, such as lobbying elected officials or campaigning for the passage of specific legislation. Community education, organizing, and public engagement on climate issues remain eligible.
Who has received these awards in the past?
Past Community Engagement Awards have supported a wide range of projects advancing climate equity across Maryland. Examples include:
Community-driven transportation planning — Developing short-form, community-informed blueprint to improve mobility, air quality, and health in a local community through public transportation.
Youth training and workforce pathways — Expanding a conservation program where local youth planted trees, removed invasive species, and explored green career opportunities.
Storytelling and cultural connection — Launching a climate storytelling initiative that elevated residents’ experiences of climate impacts and environmental injustice.
Arts and inclusive engagement — Hosting community gatherings that combined art, climate education, and collective action, including commissioning climate-themed artwork.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through our short online form:
Have more questions?
If you have questions or would like support completing your application, please contact Laura Bartock at lbartock @ ghhi.org.