Use of Grant Funding

Grant proposals will be accepted for a variety of proposed programs and activities. 

Priority for funding will be to support activities that meaningfully build relationships between people with I/DD and first responders and are led by people with I/DD.

This includes:

• Self-advocate-led trainings and role-playing exercises

• Paying people with I/DD in leadership roles

• Developing leadership skills for public safety advocacy

• Organizing self-advocate participation in National Night Out (Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026)*

• Holding a roundtable discussion between self-advocates and a local first responder partner*

We are especially interested in applications from self-advocate groups.

Applications to pay for activities will be given preference over applications for administrative and organizational costs. We will not approve that portion of your proposed budget if your administrative costs are covered by another source. While requesting funding to cover the cost of food is acceptable, we will not award any requests where eating is the main activity. Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals for what they consider the most meaningful use of funds and what would make the most impact. Be creative!

*MDOD can provide additional support, resources, and training to organizations that choose either of these two interventions.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the applicant must be:

• A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Maryland; and

• In good standing with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).

Grant Review

All grant applications will be vetted by MDOD staff to determine initial eligibility and then by the Alliance’s Steering Committee for final approval. We may contact you to ask for more details about your proposal. Strong applicant submissions will engage people with I/DD meaningfully in the creation and implementation of the activity/intervention as well as include those from geographically, culturally, and linguistically diverse communities. Preference will be given to proposals that target law enforcement entities, but partnering with Fire, EMS, and other first responder entities is allowed. Proposals must support full inclusion of people with disabilities as equals.

Grant Requirements

To apply for a grant, you must submit a completed Community Impact Grant Application form. If selected, funded projects will require a brief report at the end of the grant period. The final reports also ask for impact stories including pictures, videos, testimonials. (By submitting media for MDOD’s usage, you agree to have received consent from all individuals and have collected appropriate photo releases.) All communications related to the project must credit The Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self-Advocates as Educators within the MD Department of Disabilities. Successful curricula and ideas may be approached for replication by the MDOD. 

Grant Schedule

Applications due: May 20, 2026, no later than 5pm

Awards will be announced via email no later than June 3, 2026. You may be contacted prior to this date requesting additional information about your proposal.

Final report due: 30 calendar days following the event, activity or program, and no later than September 30, 2026.

Activities under the proposal must be completed by August 31, 2026.

If you have an idea for a training or intervention that doesn’t match the scope of the Community Impact Grants, if you don’t know what to do, but you want to participate, or if your proposal exceeds $5,000, please email Jennifer Eastman separately at jennifer.eastman@maryland.gov.