Anne Arundel County Announces Beneficiaries of Community Reinvestment and Repair Grants

Anne Arundel County recently announced the recipients of the FY26 Community Reinvestment and Repair Commission (CRRC) Grants. This initiative allocates cannabis sales tax revenue to community organizations serving low- to moderate-income households, particularly in the ten zip codes most affected by cannabis criminalization.

County Executive Steuart Pittman noted, "For far too long, the same communities that suffered from the War on Drugs were denied the resources to recover from it. With these grants, we’re beginning to right that wrong by supporting organizations on the ground that know their neighbors, see their struggles, and are working every day to build a more equitable Anne Arundel County.”

More than $1.7 million in grants was awarded to 33 organizations across the county. These programs align with the CRRC’s strategic priorities:

* Mental health and substance abuse services

* Education, youth enrichment, and after-school programs

* Housing and homelessness prevention

* Workforce development and employment training

Dr. Shawn Ashworth, Chair of the CRRC, emphasized, "This is more than just funding; it’s about giving hope back to the communities that have carried the weight for far too long. By reinvesting in their strength, we're uplifting local leaders, strengthening families, and building pathways to opportunity. This is what it looks like when equity moves from promise to practice.”

The organizations that received funding are:

* Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency, Inc.

* The Church At Severn Run

* Arundel House of Hope

* Chase Home, Inc.

* Community Legal Services

* Blessed in Tech Ministries, Inc.

* Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services

* Shelly’s House

* My Life Foundation, Inc.

* Opportunity Ministries, Inc.

* Leading by Feeding

* YWCA of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County

* Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center

* Anne Arundel County Food Bank & Love Wins Movement

* Uplift Alliance (University of Baltimore)

* OIC of Anne Arundel County

* Rise and Shine

* City of Refuge Baltimore

* Gaudenzia

* Meade High PTSA

* Kingdom Kare Inc.

* Sister In Sync, Inc.

* World Class Grades - Maryland Inc.

* Brothers Giving

* Chase Your Dreams Initiative, Inc.

* Equip to Excel

* New Kingdom Faith Christian Church

* Together WE Rise

* Laila’s Love Initiative

* Ballet Theatre of Maryland

* Chesapeake Arts Center

* Sapphire Rise Inc.

* The Monarch Academy Public Charter School, Inc.

To view the details on the award recipients: click

The CRRC was established under Maryland’s 2022 Cannabis Reform Act, which legalized adult-use recreational cannabis and created the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF). This Fund allocates a portion of cannabis sales tax revenue to counties for reinvestment in communities disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs.

Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS) administers the program in partnership with Anne Arundel County. The application period for FY27 grant funding is expected to open early next year.