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.
Announcing 2027 SHINE Grants
Maryland Humanities is excited to announce the upcoming FY27 Hatza SHINE Grants cycle.
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 FY27 Guidelines Are Here!
Maryland Humanities is excited to announce the 2027 Marilyn Hatza Memorial SHINE Grant Program. 80 general operating support grants of $5,000 each to Maryland nonprofits conducting work in the humanities will be awarded.
Important Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 28th, 2026 | Guidelines Made Available |
| June 18th, 2026 | Application Opens |
| June 23rd, 2026 at 3PM | Virtual Information Session #1, RSVP HERE |
| July 13th, 2026 at 11AM | Virtual Information Session #2, RSVP HERE |
| July 29th, 2026, 1PM-5PM | Drop-In Virtual Open Office Hours #1, RSVP HERE |
| August 4th, 2026 at 10AM | Virtual Information Session #2, RSVP HERE |
| September 8, 2026 at 1PM-5PM | Drop-In Virtual Open Office Hours #2, RSVP HERE |
| September 8, 2026 | Deadline To Submit Draft For Review |
| September 13th, 2026,11:59 PM | Application Closes For All Applicants |
| Late November 2026 | Applicants Notified About Award Submission |
| January 2027 | 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.