General Operating Support Grants Level II (GOS II)

Grants are available to nonprofit arts and humanities organizations that had both cash operating expenses and cash operating income of more than $150,000 during its most recently completed fiscal year. Grants are also available for an arts and/or humanities division within an umbrella nonprofit organization, provided that the division’s cash operating expenses and cash operating income were more than $150,000 during the most recently completed fiscal year.

An organization is eligible to apply for FY20 GOS II Grant if it is not applying in any other AHCMC grant category within the same fiscal year, with the exception of the Advancement Grants or Capital Improvement Project Grants, and if the applicant qualifies as (A) Core Arts or Humanities Organization; (B) Affiliate Arts or Humanities Organization; or (C) Associate Arts or Humanities Organization, as defined below.

An organization is a Core Arts or Humanities Organization if it meets all the following criteria for at least the previous three consecutive fiscal years immediately prior to the application deadline and continues to meet these criteria in both FY21 and FY22:
- Has 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;
- Had both cash operating expenses and cash operating income of more than $150,000;
- Demonstrates 501(c)(3) status through one of the following ways:
1. The applicant has 501 (c)(3) status, as evidenced by their IRS Letter of Determination;
2. It operates as a specific arts and/or humanities entity or division within a larger 501 (c)(3) organization whose primary mission is not arts or humanities based; or
3. Has its primary office in Montgomery County;
- 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;
- A minimum of 40% of the applicant organization’s Board members reside and/or work in Montgomery County at the application deadline;
- 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;
- Offers no less than 51% of its programs and services in Montgomery County and these programs and services are open to the public, with or without an admission fee; and
- Has fulfilled all outstanding requirements for any grant(s) received from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County in prior years.

For information about Affiliate and Associate Arts or Humanities Organizations, see
https://www.creativemoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/FY21-GOS-II-Guidelines.pdf#page=5

Non-allowable cash operating expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Investment Fees
- Interest Expenses
- Re-granting
- Capital improvements/other related costs
- Depreciation
- Loan principal payments
- In-kind donations
- Bad debt

Non-allowable cash operating income include, but not limited to:
- Unrealized gains or losses
- Investment revenues (interest and dividends)
- In-kind donations
- Revenue raised for capital
- Funds intended for re-granting

Costs related to improving or expanding the organization’s physical structure or purchasing equipment that would be covered by Capital Improvement Project Grants must be counted as capital expenses, not as operating expenses.

For additional grant limitations, see:
https://www.creativemoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/FY21-GOS-II-Guidelines.pdf#page=7

Workshops and webinars allow grant-seekers to ask AHCMC grants staff specific questions about the grant guidelines, application, and FluidReview online grant portal. At each workshop and webinar, grants staff will review major eligibility requirements, present an overview of the grant category, and offer technical assistance for the application process and use of the FluidReview online grants portal.

Workshops at AHCMC:
Wednesday, February 5, 2020 from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Registration coming soon

Webinars:
Monday, February 10, 2020 from 3:00 -4:00 p.m.
Registration coming soon

All AHCMC webinars will be hosted through the Zoom platform. Go to the Workshops and Webinars page to see all upcoming workshops and webinars: https://www.creativemoco.com/find-opportunities/grants/workshops-and-webinars/

- Letter of Intent Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2020 – 11:59 p.m.
- Application Deadline: Friday, March 13, 2020 – 11:59 p.m.

First-time applicants are highly encouraged to contact Grants Program staff.

A panel review will take place in April/May 2020, and awards will be announced in late June 2020.

Matching Requirements:
- The applicant must provide a cash match for the General Operating Support Grant of one dollar for every dollar of grant funds awarded, for each year of the grant.
- Except as restricted below, the match may be from any source, including reserves, ticket sales, tuition, or state and federal grants.
- The match may not include: In-kind contributions or donated services; earned revenue from County government; or grants or appropriations from County government sources.

Personal appointments are available for those who are unable to attend a webinar or a workshop or who need additional assistance. These appointments are available for assistance with both the content of the application and/or assistance with the online grant application system. Consultation services in languages other than English are available by appointment. Personal appointments must be held at least two weeks prior to the application deadline. To schedule an appointment, contact Karen Judson, Grants Program Manager.