Grants will be made only to arts and humanities organizations that provide direct services to the residents of Montgomery County.

An organization is eligible to apply for a Capital Improvement Project Grant if it meets all of the following requirements:
-For at least 24-consecutive months immediately prior to the application deadline, the applicant has to have as its primary mission the exhibition, presentation, production, or performance of and/or education in, an arts and/or humanities discipline, and/or provides support services for artists and/or scholars and/or for arts and/or humanities organizations;
-Meets one of the following requirements: holds current status under IRS code 501(c)(3); or is a specifically defined as an arts and/or humanities division with its own program identity within a larger 501(c)(3) organization based in Montgomery County that does not have the arts and/or humanities as its primary mission.
-Is governed by an independent, legally liable board of directors operating under a mission statement for the organization and an operating budget specific to the organization; and
-Offers not less than 50% of its programs and services in Montgomery County and these programs and services are open to the public, with or without an admission fee;
-The organization had annual cash operating expenses of at least $25,000 in the previous fiscal year;
-Has a full-time (35-hours or more) paid executive director, CEO, managing director, or comparable position, who reports directly to the organization’s board of directors and has had that position filled for no fewer than six of the 12-months prior to submitting the application; and
-The organization must be current with its debt obligations to Montgomery County Government.

Project Eligibility Requirements:
-The facility to be improved is located in Montgomery County, MD and is owned by the organization; or if the organization leases the property or facility, the organization demonstrates that the work is the responsibility of the lease holder and that landlord agrees to the work. If the lease ends within 12-months of the application deadline, the applicant must demonstrate that the landlord has given them an appropriate option for renewal.
-The organization must demonstrate that the landowner has approved the proposed capital improvement.
-Applicants who received a Capital Improvement Project Grant in the previous year may seek funding again provided that the proposal is for a different phase of the overall project.

Audit Eligibility Requirements:
- Every applicant must submit an audit prepared by an independent certified public accountant for their fiscal year 2019 as the fiscal year is defined by the organization, e.g., July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2019 or 2019 fiscal year, e.g. January 1 – December 31, 2019.
-If this audit is not completed by the application due date, the applicant must submit a financial statement for the most recently completed fiscal year signed by the organization’s treasurer with a letter stating the estimated date when the audit will be submitted to AHCMC.
-The audit must be submitted no later than June 1, 2019. If the audit is not received by June 1, 2019, the organization will be disqualified from receiving a grant.
-Grants awards are given to organizations that are fiscally stable and have a demonstrated history of fiscal responsibility. If the audit expresses substantial doubt regarding an entity’s ability to continue as a Going Concern, that entity may be deemed ineligible.

Capital Improvement Project Grants do not fund:
-Scholarships, re-granting, awards, or tuition assistance awarded by the organization for its own activities;
-Expenses that are incurred in connection with fundraising;
-Costs of receptions, refreshments, and food;
-Costs of marketing or promotion merchandise;
-Political advocacy or any partisan activity that promotes the interests of any one political party or candidate;
-Travel outside the country;
-General operating costs;
-Personnel costs;
-Consumable supplies unrelated to construction;
-Programming, i.e. performances or events, etc.;
-Attorney fees;
-Debt reduction;
-Fees for land use consultants;
-Amounts payable to engineers, architects (if applicable) and other consultants;
-Permitting fees;
-Amounts paid for bonding and related fees, including but not limited to payment and performance bonds securing performance by the site work contractors;
-Amounts paid for testing and inspections;
-Third-party consulting and construction management fees; and
-Insurance.

FY20 Deadline: Monday, February 4, 2019, 11:59 PM.

Organizations may apply for either an AHCMC Advancement Grant or a Capital Improvement Project Grant, not both, in a given fiscal year.

Before the Capital Improvement Project Grant funds may be released, the applicant must provide a match of one dollar for every dollar of grant funds awarded. The match must consist of at least 50% cash. No more than 50% in-kind contributions will be allowed as a match.

Personal appointments are available for those who need assistance. AHCMC grants staff can assist applicants with the content of their application and/or with the online grant application system. Personal appointments must be held at least two weeks prior to the application submission deadline. To schedule an appointment, contact Takenya LaViscount.

FAQ: http://creativemoco.com/grants/faq

About grantmaking: http://creativemoco.com/Grantmaking