Grants and free programs for small businesses in Maryland

BGE Energizing Small Business Grants

BGE (Exelon)For businessesOnly in Maryland

BGE's Energizing Small Business Grants, run with Hello Alice and the Global Entrepreneurship Network, give $20,000 grants to for-profit small businesses in central Maryland that are BGE customers. Since 2021 BGE has funded 741 businesses with $14.86 million. The most recent round on BGE's page closed June 13, 2025, and no 2026 round is posted.

What you get

$20,000

Who qualifies

• For-profit business operating for at least one year at the start of the application
• Existing BGE electric and/or gas customer in good standing
• In good standing (or on the way to it) with the State of Maryland
• Maximum of 25 full-time employees and annual gross revenues under $7 million (2024 figure for the last round)
• Demonstrated need for funding to support the business and serve customers

How to apply

1. Check BGE's grants page for a new round
2. Apply through the Hello Alice BGE grant page when a round is open (previous applicants who were not selected may reapply)
3. Contact alice@helloalice.com for technical help with the application

Program page checked on October 16, 2026. The amount or dates aren't published, so confirm them on the program page.