The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) was created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2005 to expand access to health care services in underserved communities in Maryland. The CHRC is an independent commission operating within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), whose 11 members are appointed by the Governor. Since its inception, the CHRC has awarded 1044 grants totaling $499 million, supporting programs in every jurisdiction of the state. These programs have collectively served more than 925,000 Marylanders, and grants awarded by the CHRC have enabled grantees to leverage $67.4 million in additional federal and private/non-profit resources.
CHRC Releases FY 2027 Annual Request for Applications:
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC), an independent commission within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), has announced the release of two funding opportunities to expand access to health care, promote health equity, and deliver student behavioral health services across the state.
The CHRC's annual Request for Applications (RFA) provides $7 million to support public investments in underserved communities and reflects the Commission's longstanding commitment to advancing health equity and addressing social determinants of health. Under this RFA, the Commission will receive projects in six areas of focus: 1) hospital-community partnerships, 2) supporting medically vulnerable populations, 3) chronic disease prevention and disease management, 4) maternal and child health, 5) dental care, and 6) adult behavioral health needs. This year's RFA includes an emphasis on addressing recent federal changes to Medicaid.
Mandatory Letters of Intent are due to the CHRC at 12:00 noon on December 1, 2026. Full grant applications are due on January 7, 2027. Grants are expected to be awarded in April 2027. The RFA can be accessed here: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/notices.aspx
“The safety and security of all Marylanders is my number one priority, and that starts with ensuring every person has access to healthcare," said Gov. Wes Moore. "These new CHRC funding opportunities are uplifting Maryland by investing in critical programs expanding care in communities that need it most and ensuring students and families have every tool they need to succeed."
“Expanding access to quality health care requires solutions that reflect the unique needs of Maryland's communities," said Dr. Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, Chair of the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission. “Through our annual grant program and the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, we are investing in partnerships that strengthen Maryland's health care safety net, address disparities in care, and expand behavioral health resources for students and families. Together, these funding opportunities will support community organizations in delivering meaningful, lasting improvements in the health and well-being of Marylanders."
HERC Advisory Committee Meeting - November 16, 2026
The HERC Advisory Committee will be meeting will take place on Monday, November 16, 2026 at 2:00 pm. The meeting will take place virtually only. The meeting is open to the public, however, participation is limited to Advisory Committee members, invited guests and CHRC staff. The meeting agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting. Upcoming CHRC Meeting - December 10, 2026
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission will meet on Thursday, December 10, 2026 at 10:00 am. The meeting will take place virtually only. The meeting is open to the public, however, participation is limited to Commission members, invited guests and CHRC staff. The meeting agenda will be posted in advance of the meeting.
- Location: Virtual
- Time: 10:00 am
- Agenda - To be Posted
- Zoom link
- Meeting ID: 893 3427 9239
- Passcode: 229957
Next Consortium Meeting:
The next Consortium meeting has not been scheduled. Meeting information will be posted here and on the MD Consortium page.
Update on CHRC FY 2026 Annual RFA: Read the Governor's Press Release!
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC), an independent commission within the Maryland Department of Health (MDH), released its next round of grant funding on March 6, 2026. This year's RFA will make $7 million funding available to help communities address barriers to accessing health care. Applications were due on April 23, 2026. The CHRC received 101 applications requesting over $66.6 million in funding. A list of applicants may be downloading HERE.
Health Equity Resource Communities featured on WEAA
Deanna Neal, host of Morgan News Hour, interviewed HERC Director Nellie Washington on Friday, August 7. They discussed initiatives to expand healthcare access and the role of CHRC and HERC grant funding in eliminating health disparities throughout Maryland. Listen here!
Meet the CHRC Chair - Destiny-Simone Ramjohn, PhD:
We sit down for a conversation with our Chair Destiny-Simone Ramjohn and have a wide-ranging coversation covering, advancing equity, strengthening community-based primary care, and measuring what matters most. Read the interview by downloading HERE.
