Advancement Grants

The Advancement Grants program, administered by the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), is a funding opportunity designed to support non-profit arts and humanities organizations based in Montgomery County, Maryland. AHCMC works in partnership with the community to promote excellence, access, and economic vitality through the arts and humanities. This grant specifically aims to strengthen the capacity and long-term stability of local cultural organizations by supporting strategic projects that enhance infrastructure, planning, and technology, among other critical functions. Eligible organizations must be based in Montgomery County and demonstrate a primary mission of presenting, producing, or supporting arts and humanities activities. They must have had a minimum of $50,000 in allowable cash operating revenues and expenses for each of the last three consecutive fiscal years and hold IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Applicants must also show a significant level of activity within the county—at least 51% of their services—and maintain a minimum level of staffing, with higher staffing thresholds applying to organizations requesting over $25,000. Organizations funded through Montgomery County’s base operating budget at levels exceeding AHCMC’s maximum grant award are not eligible. The Advancement Grants provide funding from $10,000 to $100,000 for capacity-building projects scheduled to occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Projects may include strategic planning, technology upgrades, accessibility planning, emergency preparedness, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) initiatives. Importantly, applicants requesting more than $25,000 must submit either a financial review or an audit for FY24, depending on the request level. AHCMC recently removed the match requirement, simplifying access to funds for smaller organizations. Ineligible expenses include general operating costs, staff salaries, capital improvements, purchase of real estate or vehicles, and travel outside of Montgomery County or the United States. Furthermore, the grants do not support programming expenses, fundraising activities, or re-granting. Only one application per organization per fiscal year is allowed, and applicants who received funding in both FY24 and FY25 are ineligible for the FY26 cycle but may reapply in FY27. Applications must be submitted through AHCMC’s SM Apply online portal by February 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. All required documentation must be uploaded by this deadline; late applications or incomplete submissions will not be considered. The review process includes evaluation by a panel of arts and humanities professionals based on effectiveness of the project, quality of management, and appropriateness of the budget. Panel scores inform the final funding decisions made by AHCMC’s Board of Directors. Awards will be announced in late June 2025, and grantees must adhere to reporting requirements, including a mid-year report due February 28, 2026, and a final report by July 31, 2026. Grant funds are distributed in full following submission of the grant agreement and required financial documentation. Grantees must obtain AHCMC’s approval for any significant project changes and are obligated to return any unspent or improperly spent funds. Technical assistance and webinars are available to help applicants navigate the process, and all interested organizations are encouraged to reach out to AHCMC staff for support.

Clearly explain how project supports long-term sustainability and DEIA; follow formatting guidelines to avoid disqualification.