Special Projects Grant Program

The Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District (MCACD), a quasi-governmental organization based in Montgomery County, Ohio, has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the administration of its 2026–2027 Special Projects Grant program. The purpose of the Special Projects Grant program is to support small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations in delivering arts and cultural programming and capacity-building initiatives that benefit local communities. The RFP seeks a qualified vendor to oversee the grantmaking process, from application intake through final reporting. The program is designed to promote equitable access to arts and cultural resources by offering project-based funding of up to $10,000 for eligible nonprofit organizations. These funds may be used for programming as well as internal development projects that help organizations better achieve their missions. All grant-related activities must serve the Montgomery County community. The selected vendor will be responsible for the complete administration of the grant cycle, including program design, application development, outreach and technical assistance, applicant review, panel facilitation, award processing, fiscal reconciliation, compliance oversight, and final reporting. MCACD uses the e-CImpact platform to manage applications and reports, and vendors must have or be able to develop expertise with this system. The RFP outlines a detailed timeline: the proposal deadline is Tuesday, October 14, 2025, by 5:00 p.m. EST. Notifications to selected proposers will occur by October 30, followed by Zoom interviews during the weeks of November 3 and 10. The MCACD Board will make its final selection on December 9, 2025, and the chosen vendor will begin work on January 1, 2026. All proposals must be submitted by email as a single PDF document, no more than 15 pages in length. The MCACD Board, supported by Montgomery County’s Human Services Planning and Development staff, provides governance and oversight for the program. In 2025, the Special Projects Grant program distributed funding to 20 organizations for projects running from July 2025 through June 2026. The upcoming cycle is expected to provide up to $250,000 in total grants. A separate budget of $24,000 has been allocated for the program’s administration. MCACD is guided by a strategic plan adopted in 2025 that emphasizes the role of arts and culture in achieving broader county goals, expanding program impact, and strengthening organizational performance. The selected vendor is expected to align their grantmaking practices with these strategic goals, incorporate community engagement, ensure transparency and accountability, and contribute to MCACD’s mission to nurture arts and cultural development across the county.

Submit a complete PDF proposal under 15 pages by email; ensure your proposal addresses all evaluation criteria and scope of services.