Who Can Apply? 

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Eligible organizations must have a valid 501(c)(3) status under the Internal Revenue Code, maintain a current Maryland Charitable Registration, and have been in operation for at least three years. Applicants should have a Guidestar rating of at least a Bronze Seal of Transparency, with preference given to those with a Platinum Seal. Additionally, organizations must serve at least one of our designated geographic focus areas.

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Only one request will be considered per organization within twelve months.

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Geographic Focus

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The Kahlert Foundation prioritizes funding organizations that directly serve communities in Carroll County, Howard County, Frederick County, Baltimore County, and Baltimore City.

 

While we consider grant applications supporting all these areas, priority is given to organizations that primarily serve residents of Carroll County and Howard County. This focus reflects our deep commitment to these communities and our desire to create meaningful, lasting impact where our support is most concentrated.

 

If your organization serves multiple counties, we encourage you to highlight how your programs benefit Carroll and Howard County residents in your application.

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Funding Priorities in Maryland

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In Maryland, our grantmaking is strategically focused on key areas that drive meaningful impact:

• Health Care & Education – These sectors receive the largest share of our funding, comprising 65% of our annual grants.

• Veterans & Youth Programs – These represent 25% of our total giving, supporting initiatives that empower and uplift these communities.

• Human Services – While an important part of our mission, grants in this area make up less than 10% of our overall funding.

 Organizations aligning with these priorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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First-Time Grantee vs Returning Grantee Process

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If your organization has never received funds from our Foundation, you are considered a first-time grantee and are required to submit a Letter Of Intent (LOI) before meeting with our team.

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In addition, if five years or more have passed since receiving your last grant, you are required to coordinate a meeting prior to submitting a grant request.  

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The “How to Apply” page provides further details on the corresponding code needed to start an application within the correct process in our grant management system.

 

Letter Of Intent (LOI) Process/New Grantee Requests

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Organizations interested in applying for a grant must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through our grants management system. The LOI allows us to determine whether your proposal aligns with our funding priorities.

LOIs are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and you can expect a decision within 4–6 weeks of submission. If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full application, which will initiate a comprehensive review process. This may include site visits and meetings to better understand your organization and build a relationship

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Please note that an invitation to submit a full application does not guarantee board approval. Once your full application is submitted, the review process may take up to 60 days. If you wish for your request to be considered at a specific board meeting, please plan accordingly to ensure the review process is completed in time.