Community Arts Development Grant Program

The Community Arts Development (CAD) Grant is a competitive funding opportunity administered by the Worcester County Arts Council (WCAC), a nonprofit organization based in Maryland. This grant program is supported with funding from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), making it subject to availability of state-level resources, compliance reviews, and fiscal audits. The CAD Grant is designed to strengthen Worcester County’s nonprofit arts sector by supporting projects that expand cultural opportunities and enhance public access to the arts within the county. The CAD Grant is available to not-for-profit, tax-exempt organizations that are incorporated in Maryland or to government-related organizations such as public schools and parks and recreation departments, provided the proposed project occurs within Worcester County. Applications from out-of-county organizations may be considered if the activities take place in Worcester County. Ineligible applicants include individuals, for-profit businesses, and organizations that have failed to meet reporting or acknowledgment requirements from prior WCAC funding. Grant awards must be matched on a one-to-one basis with the applicant's own funds, which may include earned revenue or other grants. In-kind goods and services may not be used for the match. CAD Grant funds may only be used to support the artistic component of a project. Prohibited uses include general operating expenses, permanent equipment, construction, travel, social events, fundraising activities beyond the cost of the event, and any political or religious promotion. Applications must be submitted by email to curator@worcestercountyartscouncil.org. All required documentation, including completed forms and attachments, must be submitted in a single PDF. Application deadlines are April 15 (for projects between July and December) and October 15 (for projects between January and June). Applicants with year-round programming may apply for a full-year grant by the April 15 deadline. In some cases, a verbal presentation before the Grants Review Committee may be requested. Grant applications are evaluated by the WCAC Executive Director and Grants Committee, and award decisions are finalized by the Board of Directors. Evaluation criteria include the applicant’s financial need, the artistic merit of the project, its financial feasibility, and the degree to which it serves the Worcester County community. Successful applicants receive 75% of the grant award approximately one week before the project start date, and the remaining 25% upon submission of a final report. The report must be submitted within 30 days of the project’s completion and must include an event photo, promotional materials crediting WCAC and MSAC, and copies of letters sent to local officials. All promotional materials for CAD Grant-funded projects must credit the Worcester County Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council, including display of the WCAC banner at the project venue. Grantees are expected to attend the Council’s annual Arts Celebration event and are encouraged to become WCAC members. Questions may be directed to the WCAC by email at curator@worcestercountyartscouncil.org or by phone at 410-641-0809.

Emphasize artistic merit, fiscal feasibility, and public benefit. Submit a thorough final report and properly credit funders.