The mission of the Maryland Alcohol and Promotion Fund Advisory Commission is to advance a well-connected craft beverage industry through research, promotion, and agricultural business development, reinforcing Maryland as a world-class producer of craft beverages and a desirable destination for craft beverage lovers to visit.
The Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing Promotion Fund (the “Fund”) will award grants to eligible applicants to:
- Foster the creation and expansion of the state’s breweries, distilleries and wineries;
- Attract new visitors to the state’s breweries, wineries and distilleries;
- Encourage and create incentives for special events to promote state wineries, breweries and distilleries;
- Educate the public about alcohol manufacturing in the state, including its rich history;
- Support the expansion of minority ownership and participation in the operation of state breweries, wineries and distilleries;
- Research and develop incentives for how to promote use of the state’s agricultural products in the production of the state’s beer, wine, and spirits.
The grant program is administered by the Department of Commerce Office of Tourism, whose primary mission is to stimulate and drive Maryland’s thriving tourism economy with a goal of creating a great place for all Marylanders to live, work and play.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to receive a grant from the Fund, an applicant must be either:
- A nonprofit organization under 501(c)(3) or (6) of the Internal Revenue Code
- A state or local government unit
HOW TO APPLY
The FY25 Round 2 Application closed on April 18, 2025.
EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS
What type of programs are being sought?
According to the legislation, the intent is to: foster the creation and expansion of state breweries, distilleries and wineries; attract new visitors to state breweries, distilleries and wineries, encourage and create incentives for special events to promote state breweries, distilleries and wineries, educate the public about alcohol manufacturing in the state - especially its history; conduct research on, develop incentives for, and promote the growth of state agricultural products used in state manufactured beer, wine and spirits and support the expansion of minority ownership and participation the operation of state breweries, distilleries and wineries.
There are two aspects into which applicants can apply: marketing and promotion and research and development as outlined in the legislation.
Marketing and Promotion: (Maximum 60 Points)
- Foster the creation and expansion of the state’s breweries, distilleries and wineries (20 points)
- Attract new visitors to the state’s breweries, wineries and distilleries (20 points)
- Encourage and create incentives for special events to promote state wineries, breweries and distilleries (10 points)
- Educate the public about alcohol manufacturing in the state, including its rich history (10 points)
Research and Development: (Maximum 40 Points)
- Support the expansion of minority ownership and participation in the operation of state breweries, wineries and distilleries (20 points)
- Research & develop incentives for how to promote use of the state’s agricultural products in the production of the state’s beer, wine, & spirits (20 points)
