Eligible applicants are the state’s nonprofit and tourism producing organizations, such as museums, cultural attractions, zoos, aquariums whose mission and work substantially contributes to the economic development and now economic recovery of Maryland communities through visitor driven events and programs.

Use of Funds:

• Operating support (staff costs, hazard pay, marketing/programming, rent, utilities, payroll, supplies, cleaning services etc.) to address the revenue reductions due to loss of visitors from COVID-19 and the related state-of-emergency both as a reimbursement of fixed costs not covered by revenue and as a projection of fixed costs from March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020 that will not be covered by revenue AND/OR
• Increased expenses to adapt operations and facilities to create a safe environment for staff and visitors (as a reimbursement of expended such costs and/or as a projection of future such costs from March 1, 2020 through December 30, 2020).

Funding Criteria:

• The maximum grant request amount is $500,000 and the minimum amount is $75,000.
• Requested funding amounts should be based on the organization’s ability to demonstrate an equal to or greater than loss of revenue from reduced visitor attendance and/or increased expenses to adapt operations and facilities to safely reopen for visitors and staff. These revenue losses and/or increased expenses must occur or have occurred during the period March 1 through December 30, 2020.