Blog

The Friends of Maryland’s Olmsted Parks & Landscapes is committed to advancing the Frederick Law Olmsted legacy of accessible public parks, sustainable landscapes, and livable communities—respecting and protecting the accomplishments of the past and seeking relevant solutions for the challenges of today. We are excited to partner with Olmsted 200, a nationwide celebration of the life and legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr. happening in 2022. We are committed to ensuring that Maryland is a vital part of the celebration and that the activities connect to as many people and communities as possible.

To support these goals we are pleased to announce that we have created a new small grant fund. Our small grants are designed to be flexible and fill in where other available funding may not fully cover program or event costs. We are particularly interested in supporting activities that connect new communities to the Olmsted legacy, and those that focus on more recent projects or activities that demonstrate Olmsted Design Principles. Educators and schools,
libraries, after-school programs, and Park Friends groups are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Sample program ideas and an event toolkit can be found on the Olmsted 200 website at
https://olmsted200.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Event-in-a-Box-Toolkit.pdf

Available small grants will range up to $1,500 and will be awarded on a rolling basis. 

To apply, please submit the following information to Jennifer Robinson at Jennifer@pattersonpark.com. Your email subject line should include Olmsted 200 Small Grant Request and your organization name in the subject line. Proposals should be limited to no more than 2 pages in 12 point font on the equivalent of 8 ½ x 11” paper with one additional page allowed for your project budget.

If your project falls outside this scope or the guidelines for this RFP, but you would like to discuss your idea, please feel free to send an email to Jennifer@pattersonpark.com. 

Guidelines:

• Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to: schools, educators, after-school programs, park friends groups, neighborhood organizations, environmental organizations, garden clubs.
  
  
• Project examples include, but are not limited to:  programs that bring together diverse communities in a democratic park space, park clean ups, walking tours, student essay or art contests, exhibits, academic papers, research projects, book discussions in libraries devoted to Olmsted related themes, lectures or panel discussions.
  
  
• Grants are for project-based activities and not for general operating expenses, construction/renovation (except park preservation), direct social action or political advocacy, fundraising or profit-making activities.
  
  
• Projects should welcome diverse groups and explore diverse topics such as the democratic value of public parks, public health benefits, ecology, access, and social justice.
  
  
• Programs should be available to the public without regard to race, color, religion, handicap, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
  
  
• Events should be free whenever possible, or if a charge is required, it should be a reasonable fee that will not exclude participants or audience members. 
  
  
• Grant requests will be reviewed beginning on September 1, 2021. Requests are considered on a competitive basis. 
  
  
• Projects must be completed by July 1, 2022.

In your application, please tell us:

• The organization that will be carrying out the program and the grant contact person’s name, title, organization, mailing address, email, phone number. 
  
  
• If you are connected to an Olmsted park or project, please let us know which one. If you are connected to a space that is not an Olmsted park or landscape, let us know how you feel connected to the legacy. 
  
  
• Your geographic location – grants are available only for projects in the state of Maryland. 
  
  
• A summary of the proposed program or project and how it relates to Olmsted 200. 
  
  
• The anticipated date of your project. 
  
  
• The names and qualifications (brief) of people who will serve as resources or will coordinate or present the project.  
  
  
• The target audience/who will benefit from the project? 
  
  
• An estimate of the number of participants and how having their participation in this event will help broaden the understanding of the Olmsted legacy and bring new perspectives to this work. 
  
  
• How the program will be promoted. 
  
  
• How the funds will be used – provide a budget with a breakdown showing specifically what the funds will be used for. 

Organizations receiving funding will be asked to sign a grant agreement and share brief project reports and photos, an accounting of funds spent, and include the appropriate logos on project materials. 

Questions? Please reach out to Jennifer Robinson for more information by sending an email to Jennifer@pattersonpark.com.