The Baltimore Culinary Exchange Grant will provide two grant opportunities for businesses:

Operations-Only Grant: $10,000-$40,000 per awardee to support existing or new businesses with general operating costs.

Grant funds can be used for operating costs related to sustaining and growing the business, such as but not limited to staff costs (including training and certifications), marketing, inventory and supplies, equipment, systems software, rent and utilities, as well as other business operations and/or start-up costs.

Building & Operations Grant: $50,000 to $200,000 per awardee to support existing or new businesses with interior and/or exterior property improvements and general operating costs.

Grant funds must be used for both property improvements and operating costs. Requests for operating costs may not exceed 25% of the total requested funds.

Operations: Grant funds can be used for operating costs related to sustaining and growing the business, such as but not limited to staff costs (including training and certifications), marketing, inventory and supplies, equipment, systems software, rent and utilities, as well as other business operations and/or start-up costs.

Building: Grant funds can be used for exterior property improvements such as but not limited to signage and lighting, cleaning and/or painting building exterior, historic restoration/renovations and repair, removal and/or installation of windows and door and interior improvements such as painting, flooring, furniture/fixtures and other costs associated with tenant improvements.

• May be a new or existing business, but business must be located in the Downtown Management Authority district.
• Business must provide a signed letter of intent or executed lease agreement at the time of application.
• If the business owns the property, provide a screenshot from the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation’s Real Property Database showing proof of ownership.
• Business must be registered and in good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT).
• Financially viable business whose operations will continue forward.

To be considered for funding, a business must submit a complete and signed BCX Grant Application and provide all required documents as stated in the application. In addition to evaluating applications based on basic information about the business, such as current operations, planned operations, property improvements and financial capability to start, sustain or expand operations, applications will also be prioritized for funding based on one or more of the following criteria:

• 51% of the business is minority or woman-owned
• Business has 50 or fewer employees (full time equivalents)
• Business has been in operation for at least two years
• Business is currently located in or will be located in one of the targeted areas of investment within the DMA. (Pratt Street, Eutaw Street, CFG Arena, of Charles Street Corridor)
• Business will occupy a currently vacant restaurant/café space that has existing equipment and/or infrastructure.

Application Available:          April 18, 2025

Application Deadline:           May 30, 2025

Award Announcement:         July 2025

Grant award amounts may be reduced based on information submitted at time of application and relative to requests, if demand exceeds available funding. Applicants that are awarded funding are required to:

• Maintain registration and good standing with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT)
• Provide an executed lease agreement prior to executing a grant agreement with DPOB if at time of application a letter of intent was submitted
• Occupy the space identified in the application for a minimum of two years following receipt and use of grant funds
• Obtain and remain compliant with all state and local permits and licensing to operate and/or make property improvements
• Use all awarded grant funds by March 31, 2026
• Submit reports on grant funded activity in a form and manner as requested by DPOB
• Maintain financial records related to the grant award and grant-funded activities for a minimum of three years.
• Remain compliant with all program requirements and conditions stated in the DPOB grant agreement

Sample Application – This is only for information purposes; all applications must be submitted via the online application when available

Application Checklist – Use this to make sure you have provided all of the required information and documentation for the grant application

Frequently Asked Questions