Advancement Grants (AG)

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/FY22-Advancement-Grant-Guidelines.pdf#page=5.

Applicants must sign agreement to use funds only for administrative or programmatic costs incurred in Montgomery County, MD. 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/FY22-Advancement-Grant-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. Whether or not an applicant attends a webinar will not be a factor in evaluating the application.

The webinars will discuss the guidelines and online application process for the FY22 Advancement Grants (AG). The webinars will also cover navigating the online SurveyMonkey Apply (SMApply) grants portal. Both webinars will cover the same material. Applicants are not required to attend preparation webinars, however AHCMC recommends that all applicants attend. First-time applicants are highly encouraged to attend one webinar prior to applying.

All AHCMC webinars will be hosted through the Zoom platform. The webinars will take place on:
- Friday, January 29, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, February 2, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

To register for the webinars: https://fy22ag.eventbrite.com/

For inquiries, please contact Ana-Alicia Feng, Grants Program Assistant Manager, at (301) 565-3805 ext. 21 or AnaAlicia.Feng@creativemoco.com.

Application Deadline: Friday, February 26, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.

FY22 Advancement Grants Estimated Timeline:
- Webinars January 2021
- Application Deadline February 2021
- Panel Review April 2021
- Award Announcement June 2021
- Mid-Year Report January 2022
- Final Report July 2022

First-time applicants are highly encouraged to contact AHCMC grants staff and attend one webinar prior to applying.

AHCMC will conduct grant preparation webinars to instruct prospective applicants on how to complete grant applications. (See Pre-Proposal Conference for further details.) Personal appointments are available for those who are unable to attend a webinar or who need additional assistance. Assistance for both the content of the application and the online grants portal is available. 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.

Requests for over $25,000 up to $50,000 require an FY20 audit or financial review. Requests for over $50,000 require an FY20 audit. (For details on audit requirements, see https://www.creativemoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FY22-Advancement-Grant-Guidelines.pdf#page=5.)

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

Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the Post-Award Information in the guidelines carefully before submitting an application. (See https://www.creativemoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FY22-Advancement-Grant-Guidelines.pdf#page=11.)

Eligible proposals should focus on one project. More than one submission per applicant for an Advancement Grant per fiscal year will not be accepted.

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

Recipients of consecutive FY20 and FY21 Advancement Grants are not eligible to apply in FY22 but may apply in FY23.