Grants to Maryland nonprofit arts and humanities organizations and divisions in eligible counties for general operating expenses. Applicants must submit a letter of intent prior to submitting an application. Funding is intended to promote financial stability, build capacity, and encourage the community partnerships of arts and humanities organizations located in and serving Montgomery County.

Grant awards support organizations that work in a wide array of arts and humanities disciplines including performing arts, media arts, visual arts, literary arts, folk and traditional arts, history, and philosophy.

General operating support is defined as support for day-to-day operating costs to further the general mission or work of an organization rather than for a specific project.

By awarding General Operating Support II Grants, the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) seeks to:

• Encourage organizations to maintain an active, two-way, ongoing relationship with the community in the planning, participation, and evaluation of public activities, which include intentional strategies for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA);
• Promote stability in arts and humanities organizations by providing a base of funding to support operating budgets;
• Help ensure diverse arts and humanities experiences for constituents of Montgomery County, MD;
• Stimulate local support and involvement in the arts and humanities, including volunteer participation, audience development, and financial contributions;
• Strengthen the scholarly and artistic capabilities of arts and humanities organizations; and
• Improve and/or stabilize the management infrastructure and effectiveness of arts and humanities organizations.