Trader Foundation for Maryland Burial Sites Grant Program

Trader Foundation for Maryland Burial Sites Grant Program is sponsored by Trader Foundation for Maryland Burial Sites, Inc.. This program provides financial assistance for projects benefiting specific burial grounds within the State of Maryland.

The Trader Foundation for Maryland Burial Sites, Inc. was created to provide financial assistance for worthy cemetery projects in the State of Maryland. The Foundation’s mission is to prevent further desecration of endangered historic Maryland cemeteries and to enable positive responses to emergency situations by awarding grants directly to qualified parties. The Foundation honors James R.

Trader, a man with deep roots on Maryland’s Eastern Shore who documented hundreds of cemeteries in Wicomico and Worcester counties and passionately advocated strong legislation to dissuade vandals and protect cemeteries. He served as legislative chair and president of the Coalition to Protect Maryland Burial Sites in the 1990s. In his will, Jim left a portion of his estate for the defense and preservation of Maryland cemeteries.

The Trader Foundation for Maryland Burial Sites incorporated in 2015 and in 2016 was approved by the IRS as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Its mission is carried out by volunteer Officers, Directors, and members of the Investment Committee. For further information, contact traderfoundationmd@gmail.

com . The Trader Foundation invites applications for grants up to $3,000. The project or program must benefit a specific burial ground within the State of Maryland, and Trader funds must be matched by the grantee.

Some Trader Foundation grants have been used to match those from other public and private sources that support burial site projects. Examples of eligible projects include rescue of an endangered site, gravestone conservation or restoration, documentation, protection of burial site from desecration by nature or by man, cemetery clean-up, and planning for restoration.

The project or program must benefit a specific burial ground within the State of Maryland. Absent unusual circumstances, if the applicant does not own the cemetery which will benefit from the proposed activities, then the application must include a letter from the owner endorsing the project and confirming that the applicant has been granted access to the cemetery to conduct the project.

The Trader Foundation invites applications for grants up to $3,000. Applicants may submit up to three non-synchronous applications within a five-year period, totally up to $9,000. Grant funds must be matched 100% by the grantee.

At least one-third of the match must be in cash; the remaining two-thirds may be in-kind materials or services. All grant applications require an attached letter from each match donor confirming their contributions. Grant decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The Board reserves the option—based upon the quality of applications or availability of funds—to withhold funding of grant requests in any given grant cycle. Grant funds will be disbursed in two halves, the first upon approval of the application and signing of the agreement. The second disbursement will occur upon completion of the project and submission of a final report, with a record of expenditures and the match.

Examples of eligible projects include gravestone conservation or restoration, protection of burial site from desecration by nature or by man, rescue of endangered site, documentation, cemetery clean-up, and planning for restoration. The criteria exclude maintenance of cemetery property; mowing, trimming, weeding, seeding, hedge cutting, etc., but the removal of tree limbs or entire trees is acceptable if they endanger grave markers.

Projects that are awarded grants will be featured on the Trader Foundation website showcasing before and after photos. Applications that do not comply fully with the above requirements will not be considered for funding. Project must be completed and the final report submitted before requesting another grant.

Grantees are required to include the following statement in printed materials and interviews when describing your projects. This acknowledgment will make potential applicants, and the public, aware of the Foundation’s mission and its commitment throughout Maryland. “Support for this project was provided by the Trader Foundation for MD Burial Sites, which assists cemetery preservation and those engaged in such efforts.

” and include the link to https://traderfoundationmd. org/ . The application consists of the cover page, proposal narrative, and a maximum of three attachments.

Submit both a paper version and an emailed digital version of the application. The proposal narrative should include: Name of cemetery to be restored or protected, and range of burial dates Description of cemetery and its location Name and contact info of the owner, proprietor, or caretaker responsible for the cemetery. A signed letter of approval will be required.

Brief history and statement of significance of the site or cemetery Description of the project, including timeline and implementation steps as needed Explanation of how this project relates to the applicant’s mission and vision How applicant will preserve the improvement and sustain the outcome of this grant over time Description of community interest and support Background on the need for funds and urgency of the request Budget showing how grant funds will be used Proof that the requested amount was provided by an experienced, licensed, bonded, and insured contractor Explanation of applicant’s match with cash and/or in-kind services A sufficient number of current photographs covering the property and work to be completed