BALTIMORE, Md.—Maryland Sports Commission (MSC) is accepting applications for the Major Event Fund (MEF), the Youth & Amateur Sports Grant, and the Michael Erin Busch Fund (Grant & Fund) programs through a redesigned online portal.
The updated portal emphasizes consistency, transparency, and economic accountability. For the first time, applications will be assessed using the Event Impact Calculator (EIC), a national evaluation tool developed through MSC’s partnership with Destinations International and Tourism Economics. This enables MSC to measure the economic impact of proposed events.
“The debut of our updated grant portal reflects a significant shift in how we support the sports events industry in Maryland,” says Terry Hasseltine, executive director of the MSC. “We’ve elevated the entire process, from how applicants submit to how we evaluate success, creating a more data-informed, efficient, and fair system for all.”
The MEF, created by the Maryland General Assembly in 2022, supports large-scale sporting and entertainment events such as international soccer matches, major music festivals, championships, and exhibitions. The Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and Michael Erin Busch Fund support youth and amateur sports competitions across Maryland communities. The grant program helps events at the local, regional, and national levels, aiming to reach a diverse group of athletes and participants. Applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements, which slightly differ between the two funding programs.
“Even as the industry becomes more data-driven, at its core, sports tourism—and the entire tourism industry—must still deliver the intangible experiences that can’t be measured,” says Hasseltine. “Whether it’s a sports commission, DMO, local restaurant, or business celebrating and welcoming an event or tournament, or a highlight featured in local, national, or international media, these human moments remain central to what we do. They will continue to be a key part of how events are evaluated, and that’s something that will never change.”
The portal will remain open until August 10. Event organizers interested in applying for funding through either the MEF or Youth & Amateur Sports Grant and the Michael Erin Busch Fund can visit https://marylandsports.us/grants-overview/ for full eligibility requirements, grant guidelines, and access to the application.
