Applications are due by April 9, 2025.

What is Mission: Interior?

Mission: Interior is a grant program supporting critical interior capital repairs for eligible businesses in Downtown Frederick that enhance both individual success and district vitality. Through a competitive process, businesses can receive matching grants of up to $5,000 per location, with $20,000 available for 2025. Applications are due by April 9, 2025.

Key Funding Details:

• Covers up to 60% of project costs (higher matches are more competitive)
• No match required for projects under $1,000
• Grant requests: $500 – $5,000
• Work started before approval is ineligible

Administered by Downtown Frederick Partnership’s Business Development Committee, the program is funded by Maryland’s Community Legacy Program, with support from the City of Frederick.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible businesses include retailers, restaurants, service businesses with a retail component, and entertainment focused businesses. Owners or tenants (with landlord approval) may apply.

Ineligible: Buildings for sale and certain business types (e.g., banks, discount retailers, pawn shops, adult entertainment, tattoo parlors, liquor stores and residential properties) due to state regulations.

Projects must be within Partnership boundaries, with priority given to Market St (South–Ninth), Patrick St (Bentz–Wisner), and Everedy Square/Shab Row. Other locations may be considered – contact 301.698.8118 for eligibility.

A location may receive one grant per three fiscal years, unless a compelling need is approved.

Eligible Improvements:

Grants fund affixed capital improvements. Example eligible projects include:

• Barrier-Free Access
• Interior Demolition
• Drywall/Plaster
• Lighting
• Electrical
• Painting
• Flooring/Floor Repair
• Plumbing

How to Apply:

Apply online using the form below, or download a paper version of the application here and submit to kara@downtownfrederick.org.

Applications must be submitted by April 9, 2025 with:

1. Completed application form
2. W-9
3. Photos of the interior (2 views) & exterior (include full height of building from sidewalk to roofline)
4. Drawings/sketches of proposed work (as needed)
5. Contractor bids for each project component:
   • $3,000+ grant requests (total project cost $5,000+): 2 bids per component
   • Under $3,000 grant requests (total cost <$5,000): 1 bid required
6. Exclusions: Design costs, permit fees, or conceptual drawings not eligible as per state regulations.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Selection Process:

Applications are reviewed by the Business Development Committee, ranked, and funded in order until the $20,000 cap is met. If funds remain, a second application round may be held. The Partnership reserves the right to not fund an application even if grant dollars remain available.

Ranking factors:

• Longer lease/business tenure
• Greater than 40% match
• Expansion of business services
• Geographic diversity
• Restoration of historic features (e.g., tin ceilings)

Both longer business tenure and projects that expand the services offered by the business are key criteria in the overall ranking. As a result, a business with shorter tenure and a project that has a significant impact on service expansion may rank higher than a longer tenure business with a project that has a lesser impact on service expansion. 

Following applicant notification, the Partnership will submit the selected projects to the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) for review. MHT has 30 days to review and approve the project. Post MHT review, the Partnership will issue a grant approval letter with the grant award amount and any conditions. 

Post-Approval Requirements:

• Any necessary permits must be secured within 60 days and work must be completed within 6 months of award. Extensions may be granted under extenuating circumstances.
• City approvals, permits & safety compliance are the applicant’s responsibility.
• The Partnership may publicize projects with signage, photos, or other promotional materials.

Reimbursement Process:

Funds are reimbursed after project completion. Applicants must provide:

• Final invoices + proof of payment (canceled checks or credit card statements).
• On-site review by the Business Development Committee or Partnership staff.

Once approved, reimbursement is processed within 5 days.

2025 Mission: Interior Application

Please Note: You cannot save an application in progress. We recommend collecting all necessary files ahead of time and preparing your answers in a separate document that you can save. Once submitted, you will receive a time-stamped copy of your application to the email provided. Applications are due by April 9, 2025.

As an alternative to the online form, you may download a paper version of the application here and submit it to kara@downtownfrederick.org.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Name of Applicant *

is proposed Business

Name of Business *

Project/Business Address *

Address Line 1

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Phone Number *

Fax Number

Email Address *

Type of Business *

Date Business Opened in Downtown Frederick *

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If you don’t know the exact date, select the 1st of the month.

Do you own the building? *Select answerYesNo

Year Purchased Building *

Lease Commencement Date *

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If you don’t know the exact date, select the 1st of the month.

Lease Expiration Date *

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If you don’t know the exact date, select the 1st of the month.

Property Owner's Name *

Property Owner's Address *

Address Line 1

City

StateAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Property Owner's Phone Number *

Estimated Total Cost of Improvements *

Requested Grant Amount *

Cash Match Amount

In-Kind Match Amount

Estimated Date of Completion *Select dateJune 2025July 2025August 2025September 2025October 2025November 2025December 2025

Awards are likely to be finalized in June. Any necessary permits must be secured within 60 days and work must be completed within 6 months of award.

Please briefly describe the proposed project. *

What is the impact of the proposed project on your business? *

What is the impact of the proposed project on Downtown Frederick? *

All applicants are required to submit a signed General Conditions form.

Click here to download the required General Conditions form.

Upload your signed General Conditions form. *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload a copy of your Executed Lease. *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload a signed W-9 for the applicant. *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload TWO color photographs of the existing conditions of the building interior. *

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 2 files.

Please Note: TWO photos are required.

Upload ONE color photograph of the building exterior. *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Upload detailed sketches/drawings/etc. of the proposed improvements (include placement, color, dimensions and materials).

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 5 files.

Upload one or two bids for each project component on contractor letterhead (one contractor may bid on the entire project). *

Click or drag files to this area to upload. You can upload up to 6 files.

Signature *

By typing my name above, I acknowledge that this serves as my electronic signature. I confirm that I have read the grant terms and that the information provided in this application is true, complete, and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

Submit