Advancement Grants (AG) are available to non-profit arts and/or humanities organizations located in Montgomery County, MD that have had both allowable annual cash revenue and expenses of at least $50,000 for the last three completed fiscal years.

Grants are also available to an arts and/or humanities division within an umbrella non-profit organization, provided that the division has had both allowable annual cash operating revenue and expenses of at least $50,000 for the last three completed fiscal years.

Organizations eligible to apply must have all the criteria below by the published application deadline and for the last three completed fiscal years:
- Has its primary mission as the exhibition, presentation, production and/or performance of, and/or education in, an arts and/or humanities discipline, and/or provides support services to artists and/or scholars and/or arts and/or humanities organizations;
- Has its primary office in Montgomery County, MD, as demonstrated by the address included in the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Letter of Determination;
- Has a balanced budget and documented allowable annual cash operating revenue and expenses of no less than $50,000;
- Demonstrates 501(c)(3) status as described below:
(a) Has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from IRS; or
(b) Operates as a specific, arts and/or humanities entity or division within a larger 501(c)(3) organization whose primary mission is not arts and/or humanities-based;
- 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;
- At least 40% of its board members reside and/or work in Montgomery County, MD;
- At least one paid employee (not contracted staff) works a minimum of 5 hours a week to support the organization’s board, comply with the grant requirements, and maintain ongoing programming. Requests for over $25,000 require at least one paid employee (not contracted staff) who works a minimum of 20 hours a week to support the organization’s board, comply with the grant requirements, and maintain ongoing programming;
- Offers at least 51% of its programs and services in Montgomery County, MD, as demonstrated by previous, current, and projected activities and programming. Activities may be open to the public, with or without an admission fee, in person, or virtually. If in-person, activities should follow current COVID-19 guidelines for in-person events as required by the Montgomery County Health Department; and
- Has met all outstanding requirements for any grant(s) received from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County in prior years.

For Budget Eligibility Requirements, see https://www.creativemoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FY23-AG-Guidelines.pdf#page=5.

Award funds cannot be used for administrative costs incurred due to activities that took place outside of Montgomery County, MD (i.e., other counties in Maryland, Washington D.C., or Virginia).

AHCMC is committed to cultural equity within all funding activities and to serving communities that have been traditionally underrepresented. Funded projects should be accessible to differently-abled individuals and/or people with disabilities.

For grant limitations, see https://www.creativemoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FY23-AG-Guidelines.pdf#page=7.

AHCMC will conduct free grant preparation webinars to instruct prospective applicants on how to complete grant applications. While attendance is not required, AHCMC strongly encourages all potential applicants to attend grant preparation events, even if the applicant has applied previously.

FY23 AG webinar dates will be announced in January 2022.

For additional information, see https://www.creativemoco.com/find-opportunities/grants/workshops-and-webinars/

Personal appointments with AHCMC staff are available for those who are unable to attend a webinar or who need additional assistance. Appointments can include assistance with the content of the application, such as a draft review, and/or assistance navigating the online grants portal. 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.

Application Deadline: Friday, February 11, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. Applications will be available in January.

First-time applicants are highly encouraged to contact AHCMC grants staff.

Awards will be announced in late June 2022.

Requests over $25,000 require the applicant to submit an audit or financial review for the most recently completed fiscal year. Requests over $50,000 require the applicant to submit an audit for the most recently completed fiscal year.

Applicants must provide a cash match for the Advancement Grant request of one dollar for every dollar of grant funds awarded.

Recipients of consecutive FY21 and FY22 Advancement Grants are not eligible to apply in FY23 but may apply in FY24.

Applicants may not apply for a Programming & Capacity Building Project Grant or Capital Grant within the same fiscal year.

FAQ: https://www.creativemoco.com/find-opportunities/faqs/