☺ State Museum Assistance Program Funded for FY26 ☺ First Time In Over 10 Years ☺ Grants Cycle Will Open Early Fall ☺

The Maryland Museums Association is a volunteer-managed alliance of institutions that collect, hold, interpret, and protect the material and cultural heritage of the Free State. We advocate for state museum funding, equity in the profession, and authentic interpretation of our shared histories in service of increased cultural understanding.

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The Historical and Cultural Museums Assistance Program (MAP) at the Maryland Historical Trust has been funded for the first time in over a decade by the Maryland General Assembly.

The statewide grant program was allocated $300,000 in the final FY2026 Budget Bill. This grant program was last funded in 2011. MMA has been a strong active advocate for reinstatement of this critical funding for Maryland museums for several years and is grateful to the Maryland General Assembly for FY26 funding.

MAP grants support the operational needs of Maryland’s history museums and cultural organizations, helping them steward and interpret our shared heritage.

In advance of the grant cycle opening in early Fall 2025, MHT is recruiting volunteers to serve as Grant Reviewers who have three or more years of experience in one of the following areas: museum operations or administration, collections care and conservation, public history or cultural programming.

Apply to be a MAP Grant Reviewer (PDF)

Donate to MMA To Celebrate & Continue Our Advocacy

FY26 Legislative Recap

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Museum Assistance Program

The Historical and Cultural Museums Assistance Program (MAP) at the Maryland Historical Trust has been funded for the first time in over a decade by the Maryland General Assembly.

The statewide grant program was allocated $300,000 in the final FY2026 Budget Bill. MAP grants support the operational needs of Maryland’s history museums and cultural organizations, helping them steward and interpret our shared heritage.

The Museum Assistance Program was not originally included in the Governor's Budget for the Maryland Department of Planning. MMA worked with our strong state advocacy partners to seek inclusion in supplemental budgets.

Final FY26 Budget Bill (Page 335, PDF)

Written Testimony (January 2025, PDF)

Budget Request Letter to Gov. Moore (August 2024, PDF)

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Strengthening the Humanities Investment in Nonprofits for Equity (SHINE) Grants at Maryland Humanities

In the FY26 Budget Bill, the SHINE program was funded at $250,000 — a reduction of $750,000 from FY25 — which has led Maryland Humanities to reduce the quantity (from 90 to 30) and amount (from $10,000 to $5,000). The grant cycle is open now and will close on September 14, 2025.

Md Museums Association remains in full support of Maryland Humanities and applauds their commitment to supporting small humanities organizations through SHINE with a reduced allocation of state funding.

Learn More About the SHINE Program

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[SB0980/HB1327] Maryland Heritage Area Program Cultural Tourism Grants (Capital & Non-Capital) at Maryland Department of Planning

The bipartisan "Heritage Area Bill" was passed on Sine Die but was vetoed by Governor Moore. The bill would have had no fiscal impact in FY26 but would have set the stage for a future increase for grantmaking and made important changes to the grant process for useability and equity (increasing the total ask allowed from $100K to $300K and reducing the total required match).

Md Museums Association remains in full support of the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition and thanks them for their advocacy to improve a very popular and much-needed source of funding for Maryland museums.

Learn About the Heritage Area Coalition