Maryland Women’s History Initiative

Pictured: astronaut Mary Cleave; Layne Bosserman, former Woman’s Industrial Exchange waitress; suffragist Augusta Chissell; computer scientist Dorothy Toplitzky Blum; civil rights activist Gloria Richardson; opera singer Rosa Ponsell; Baltimore matriarch Judith Solomon Cohen.

The Maryland Women’s History Legacy Fund supports grassroot efforts, education initiatives, and local nonprofit organizations that preserve and celebrate the stories of Maryland women, past and present, and their contributions in education, politics, science, community activism, the arts, the military, business and more.

The former Maryland Women’s Heritage Center (MWHC) dreamed and worked for a future where the immense accomplishments of all Maryland women are recognized and preserved. Why? Because women make up about one-half of our population, but just a fraction of their accomplishments are recorded in history. 

Upon closing its nonprofit in 2025, MWHC donated remaining funds to its existing Maryland Women’s Heritage Center Legacy Fund. Now known as Maryland Women’s History Initiative Legacy Fund and administered by the community Foundation of Howard County,  this fund supports projects that continue the mission to “add HER story to history to tell OUR story.” The fund is now administered by the Community Foundation of Howard County. 

Projects can take many forms, including writing and research, virtual exhibits, art, music, women in STEM and other
innovative approaches.The fund consists of remaining assets from the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, which closed in December, 2025 as well as ongoing donations from donors who support “adding HERstory” to history to tell OUR story.”  

Maryland Women’s History Legacy Fund supports projects and programs that:

• Advance equity and inclusion of Maryland women in recorded history 
• Focus on under told stories of women traditionally excluded from history 
• Ensure that these stories are told in a fashion that reaches a broad audience of diverse ages, genders, geographic locations in Maryland 
• Designed to be preserved for the future 

Apply for a grant

Maryland Women’s History Legacy Fund supports projects and programs that:

• Advance equity and inclusion of Maryland women in recorded history 
• Focus on under told stories of women traditionally excluded from history 
• Ensure that these stories are told in a fashion that reaches a broad audience of diverse ages, genders, geographic locations in Maryland 
• Designed to be preserved for the future 

Applicants must be either a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status OR a person (including students) performing or studying activities that support the fund’s vision. These individuals must apply in collaboration with a 501 (c)(3) and whose mission aligns with that of the fund.

Grants from the Maryland Women’s History Legacy Fund may be used for:

• Direct public program, event or project costs.
• Capacity building or technical assistance for small or emerging nonprofits.
• Materials and supplies for project implementation.
• Stipends for female community leaders or grassroots organizers that highlight women’s achievements.
• Website content and online exhibits

Grant Cycle:

Grant Administration and Oversight

All grants will be awarded through a review process established by the Community Foundation of Howard County and, if possible, with input from representatives of the former Maryland Women’s Heritage Center. 

Grantees will be required to sign a grant agreement outlining deliverables, budget, and reporting timelines.

Mid-year and final reports will be required to assess impact and ensure compliance.

Grant renewals or repeat funding will be contingent upon performance and available resources.