Maryland Sports Commission Opens Grant Portal

The Maryland Sports Commission has relaunched its online grant portal for a 45-day application period to both the Major Events Fund and Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund (Grant & Fund) Programs.

“The debut of our updated grant portal reflects a significant shift in how we support the sports events industry in Maryland,” said Terry Hasseltine, executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission. “We’ve elevated the entire process, from how applicants submit to how we evaluate success, creating a more data-informed, efficient, and fair system for all.”

The Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund bring youth and amateur sports competitions to communities throughout Maryland. Funding typically ranges from $2,500 to $75,000. The Major Event Fund, established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022, supports international soccer matches, championships, exhibitions, and more.

To qualify, events must demonstrate substantial economic impact, media exposure, and potential to draw fans and tourists to Maryland. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, which vary slightly between the two funding programs. A critical update to the process is the requirement for all funded events to include clear and visible branding from the Maryland Sports Commission.

“Even as the industry becomes more data-driven, at its core, sports tourism—and the entire tourism industry, must still deliver the intangible experiences that can’t be measured,” said Hasseltine. “Whether it’s a sports commission, DMO, local restaurant, or business celebrating and welcoming an event or tournament, or a highlight featured in local, national, or international media, these human moments remain central to what we do. They will continue to be a key part of how events are evaluated and that’s something that will never change.”

For the first time, applications will be evaluated using the Event Impact Calculator Tool. Event organizers interested in applying can visit https://marylandsports.us/grants-overview/.