Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 PREP Grant Program.
Donor Name: Howard County Government
State: Maryland
County: Howard County (MD)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/30/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
As of October 1, 2020, all stores in Howard County are required to charge a Plastic Bag Fee of 5 cents per disposable plastic bag used. Businesses keep one cent from every five-cent fee and the remainder is collected by Howard County Government and put into a Disposable Plastics Reduction Fund. In 2021 the Office of Community Sustainability began using the bag fee funds for a program for Plastics Reduction and Environmental Protection (PREP). Environmental non-profits in Howard County can apply for funding projects that will make the community cleaner and greener.
PREP grant year six (2026) seeks to support environmental protection projects that help advance the strategies and actions outlined in Howard County’s Climate Forward: Climate Action and Resiliency Plan. As in years past, they continue to welcome projects that educate the public about the benefits and methods of reducing the use of disposable plastics.
Funding Information
The total amount funded through the PREP grant is $1,901,066.67 over five years.
Eligibility Criteria
Only projects performed in Howard County, MD are eligible. This grant program welcomes applications from the following organizations:
- 501(c)3 Private Nonprofit Organizations
- Faith-based Organizations
- Community and Homeowners Associations
- Service, Youth, and Civic Groups
- Public and Independent Educational Institutions.
For more information, visit Howard County Government.
