The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) supports the operating activities of the Rural Maryland Council, including the administration of the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and funding for the State’s five rural Regional Councils. The RMPIF competitive grant program makes strategic investments in key economic and community
development initiatives while fostering regional and intergovernmental collaboration.
The MAERDAF grant program provides capacity-building support to rural-serving nonprofit organizations and community colleges. These grants strengthen efforts that advance statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, youth engagement and leadership development, energy, and agricultural and forestry education.
The Rural Maryland Council was allocated $6,000,000 in the Fiscal Year 2027 state budget. As in previous years, grant decisions were particularly challenging given the strength and competitiveness of the applicant pool and the number of worthy requests received.
Click here to view the official FY2027 RMC Grant Award Press Release.
