The 2025 application period has closed.
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 $25,000 available for 2026. Applications are due by June 12, 2026.
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’s Department of Economic Development.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible businesses include retail, restaurant/food & beverage, or B2C service businesses. B2C businesses are limited to the following types only: hair salons, tattoo studios, wellness related businesses or entertainment venues. Tenants, with landlord approval, are encouraged to apply. Building owners may apply if the space already is actively leased by an eligible business.
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.
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
- Drywall/Plaster
- Lighting
- Electrical
- Painting
- Flooring/Floor Repair
- Plumbing
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted by June 12, 2026 with:
- Completed application form
- W-9
- Photos of the interior (2 views) & exterior (include full height of building from sidewalk to roofline)
- Drawings/sketches of proposed work (as needed)
- 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
- 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 $25,000 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. The Partnership will notify all applicants of grant awards by June 26, 2026. Selected projects will be submitted to MHT by June 26, 2026.
Post-Approval Requirements:
- Any necessary permits must be secured within 60 days and work must be completed by February 26, 2027. 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.
2026 Mission: Interior Application
Applications are due by June 12, 2026.
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.