Our Grant Program
Championing the humanities across a state as diverse as Maryland requires many contributors and much collaboration. That’s where our Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant Program comes in: Strengthening the Humanities Investment in Nonprofits for Equity.
Maryland Humanities’ grants program funds general operating support to nonprofits conducting work in the humanities throughout Maryland. We have been actively adjusting our grant practices over the past few years with a focus on equity and accessibility.
With the Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant Program, Maryland Humanities takes the next step in our grantmaking evolution and aims to lower barriers and provide funding in a more equitable way to organizations statewide. Thank you to the State of Maryland via the Maryland Historical Trust for providing the Hatza SHINE seed money and helping to invest in a healthier humanities landscape statewide.
Ready to Apply?
Start your application through our application portal. New applicants must create a new account to begin. Missing your login credentials? Email Camilla Sandoval.
Program Goals
Continue and expand general operating support funding, awarding $900,000 in grants.
Focus on small and mid‐size humanities, cultural, and educational nonprofits that may not have staff capacity or resources to be competitive in fundraising.
Ensure a broad geographic reach, similar to what we were able to realize from our COVID‐relief grants, which funded organizations in all 23 of Maryland’s counties, plus Baltimore City.
Continue to refine lessons learned on how to evaluate applicants and distribute funds equitably, while ensuring accountability and responsible fiscal stewardship.
Convene annual cohorts of grantees in new networks of engagement and common purpose to amplify the state’s investment, strengthening both the organizations and communities.
The FY26 Guidelines Are Here!
Maryland Humanities is excited to announce the 2026 Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant Program. 30 general operating support grants of $5,000 each to Maryland nonprofits conducting work in the humanities will be awarded.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 29th, 2025 | Guidelines Made Available |
| June 20th. 2025 | Applications Opens |
| June 25th, 2025, 3:00 PM | Virtual Information Session #1 |
| July 17th, 2025 , 10:00 AM | Virtual Information Session #2 |
| July 31st, 2025, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Virtual Open Office Hours #1 |
| August 12th, 2025, 10:00 AM | Virtual Information Session #3 |
| September 2nd, 2025, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Virtual Open Office Hours #2 Click Here to Register! |
| September 9th, 2025 | Deadline To Submit Draft For Review |
| September 14th, 2025, 11:59 PM | Application Closes For All Applicants |
| Late November 2025 | Applicants Notified About Award Submission |
| January 2026 | Award Funding Dispersed To Grantees |
Application Support
Find information on draft reviews, the DEIA toolkit, and the scoring rubric for submissions.
Join our Grant Reviewer Team
Learn more about how to become a grant reviewer and receive training.
Past Awarded Grants
Here are the past grantees of the SHINE program over the past several years.
Join us and support our cause today!
We’re a statewide, educational nonprofit organization that creates and supports bold experiences that explore and elevate our shared stories to connect people, enhance lives, and enrich communities.