General Operating Support Grants

The General Operating Support I (GOS I) Grant, administered by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), is a two-year funding opportunity designed to stabilize and strengthen nonprofit arts and humanities organizations based in Montgomery County, Maryland. Through this program, AHCMC supports a diverse range of organizations engaged in disciplines such as performing arts, media arts, visual arts, literary arts, folk and traditional arts, history, and philosophy. The goal of the GOS I program is to foster long-term sustainability and operational capacity by funding core operating expenses, rather than specific projects. This initiative reflects AHCMC’s broader mission to promote excellence and accessibility in the arts and humanities while advancing economic vitality in the region. GOS I grants are available to nonprofit organizations that have demonstrated financial and operational stability, including a documented annual allowable cash operating revenue and expenses of at least $50,000 for the last three completed fiscal years. To qualify, organizations must have their primary office located in Montgomery County, MD and fulfill a minimum threshold of offering at least 51% of their programming and services within the county. The grants are specifically tailored for organizations whose annual operating budgets fall between $50,000 and $150,000. However, organizations exceeding this budget threshold may still be eligible if they have not applied for or received a GOS II grant during the FY25–26 cycle. The funding range for GOS I grants spans from $10,000 to $50,000. Applicants may request up to 35% of their most recently completed fiscal year's allowable cash operating revenue and expenses or $50,000—whichever is lower. Importantly, there is no longer a matching funds requirement for this opportunity. Requests exceeding $25,000 must be accompanied by a financial audit or review from the most recently completed fiscal year. The grant is intended to support day-to-day administrative and programmatic expenses occurring between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2027. Grant funds cannot be used for capital improvements, fundraising activities, food, political advocacy, or programming conducted outside of Montgomery County, MD. The application process consists of two stages. First, all applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) via AHCMC’s SurveyMonkey Apply portal by February 7, 2025. If the LOI is approved, the applicant will be invited to complete a full application by March 21, 2025. Required LOI materials include mission statements, IRS documentation, financial worksheets, and confirmations regarding programming and staff. The full application involves detailed narratives, financial statements, programming support materials, and a completed reporting data form. Selected grantees will be notified of award decisions in late June 2025. Grant disbursements will be managed through Bill.com, and recipients must comply with post-award reporting requirements in FY26 and FY27. Applications will be evaluated by a review panel using four key criteria: Organizational Capacity, Programming, Community Impact, and Financial Stability. Applicants must demonstrate board and staff diversity, short- and long-term planning, community responsiveness, and strong financial practices. Award decisions are finalized by the AHCMC Board of Directors based on panel scores and internal review. Scores from the FY26 review will determine funding for both years of the grant cycle. For questions about the application, applicants may contact Grants Coordinator Krystle Seit at (301) 565-3805 ext. 20 or via email at [email protected]. For technical issues with the online portal, inquiries should be directed to Jesús Guzman, Grants Assistant Manager, at (301) 565-3805 ext. 21. The official PDF guidelines for this grant can be accessed through AHCMC’s website, and prospective applicants are encouraged to attend grant preparation webinars and book one-on-one consultations as needed. Applicants should be aware that failure to meet submission deadlines or to adhere to post-award requirements could affect eligibility for future funding.