Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer
The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) is a public charity based in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the county’s designated local arts agency. Founded in 1976, it administers competitive grants supporting arts and humanities organizations, individual artists and scholars, and community organizations serving Montgomery County.
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer at a glance
In short: Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer gave $5.4M across 98 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), mostly in Maryland. 5% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,397,248
- +1.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 98
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,074
- +1.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $23,625
- Total assets
- $4,401,336
- +13.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 5% first-time grantees (5 of 98, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Maryland (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer
- Contact
Mailing address: 801 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 565-3805
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
8 open opportunities from Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer
AHCMC: Advancement Grants
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer
Amount
US $10,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
AHCMC: General Operating Support I
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
AHCMC: Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer
Amount
US $1,000 - US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc ($600K). Together the top 10 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
474 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 305 grants of 474 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
AHCMC’s grantmaking serves Montgomery County, Maryland. Its 2024 filing says grantees are required to serve the county’s diverse population. In the 2025 itemized grant data, all grant dollars went to Maryland recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 98 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer open to new grantees?
5%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 98 grantees (5%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $9K; repeat grants $58K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 90% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+14%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.5M (2019) to $8.8M (2021). In 2025 it made 98 grants totaling $5.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc North Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support | $600,000 |
| Olney Theatre Corporation DBA Olney Theatre Center for the Arts Olney, MD | General Operating Support | $409,499 |
| Imagination Stage Inc Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support & Advancement Grant | $367,410 |
| Round House Theatre Inc Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support | $310,384 |
| Levine Music Inc North Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support | $170,595 |
| Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts Inc DBA Visarts Rockville, MD | General Operating Support & Advancement Grant | $160,397 |
| Maryland Youth Ballet Inc Silver Spring, MD | General Operating Support | $141,484 |
| Adventure Theatre Inc Glen Echo, MD | General Operating Support & Advancement Grant | $136,275 |
| Friends of the Library Montgomery County Maryland Inc Rockville, MD | General Operating Support | $131,947 |
| National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale of Montgomery County Inc North Bethesda, MD | General Operating Support | $131,646 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,401,336 | $7,772,902 | $7,549,063 | $5,397,248 | 98 | $62,910 |
| 2024 | $3,863,885 | $7,176,746 | $7,003,907 | $5,344,166 | 98 | $15,286 |
| 2023 | $3,355,236 | $11,065,506 | $9,565,121 | $7,783,587 | 102 | $2,617 |
| 2022 | $1,619,347 | $6,596,599 | $6,407,260 | $4,718,519 | 79 | $1,979 |
| 2021 | $1,519,047 | $10,704,239 | $10,374,239 | $8,807,673 | 97 | $3,119 |
| 2020 | $875,016 | $6,485,204 | $6,480,266 | $5,090,119 | 71 | $1,652 |
| 2019 | $1,043,785 | $5,975,052 | $5,935,176 | $4,499,252 | 71 | $1,597 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
AHCMC’s mission is to cultivate and support excellence in the arts and humanities, expand access to cultural expression, and contribute to regional economic vitality, in partnership with the community.
Its grants support disciplines including dance, folk and traditional arts, history and social sciences, literary arts, media arts, music, philosophy, storytelling, and theater, among others. AHCMC describes its grantmaking as including general operating support, project support for organizations, and project grants for individual artists and scholars. Its stated grantmaking practices include support for lifelong learning, underserved communities, and advocacy and civic engagement, as well as open panel review and assistance to applicants.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of grantees. Strathmore Hall Foundation describes its mission as amplifying distinctive artistic voices and curating experiences; Olney Theatre Corporation says it promotes and produces theatrical works; and Imagination Stage says it uses performing arts education and professional theater to help young people discover their voice and identity. Friends of the Library Montgomery County says its mission is to strengthen, promote, and champion county public libraries.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, AHCMC reported 98 itemized grants totaling $5,397,248. Grants ranged from $5,460 to $600,000, with a median of $23,625. All itemized grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland. Separately, AHCMC’s 2024 filing describes $5,871,737 in grants awarded in FY2025 to Montgomery County artists, scholars, arts and humanities organizations, and community organizations.
The largest itemized 2025 awards included $600,000 to Strathmore Hall Foundation, $409,499 to Olney Theatre Corporation, $367,410 to Imagination Stage, and $310,384 to Round House Theatre. The listed purposes for these awards were general operating support, with the Imagination Stage award also including an advancement grant. Other notable awards included $170,595 to Levine Music and $160,397 to the Metropolitan Center for the Visual Arts, the latter for general operating support and an advancement grant.
AHCMC’s website describes applications as being submitted through its online grant system and says it provides grant-preparation training. Its 2024 filing says free workshops introduce prospective applicants to the process and requirements. The filing also states that grantees must sign an agreement before funds are released, use funds as approved, obtain advance approval for changes, return funds used outside the approved program or left unspent at the end of the grant period, and submit a final report.
Two programs described in the available materials are General Operating Support I and Artists & Scholars Project Grants. GOS I is for nonprofit arts and humanities organizations with at least $50,000 in allowable cash operating revenue and expenses in their most recently completed fiscal year. Awards range from $10,000 to $50,000; requests are capped at the lower of 35% of eligible revenue, 35% of eligible expenses, or $50,000. Requests above $25,000 require an audit or financial review for the most recently completed fiscal year. Artists & Scholars Project Grants are for individual artists and scholars residing in Montgomery County and offer $1,000–$5,000 for projects across arts and humanities disciplines. The stated FY26 activity period for these grants is May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Lauren Cook as board chair; Cinder Cooper Barnes as board vice chair; Ryan Lorey as board treasurer and finance committee chair; and Elaine Robnett Moore as board secretary. Other listed leaders include Dana Pauley, audit chair; Sarah Andrew Wilson, grants committee co-chair; Sharon Fechter, governance committee chair; Eleanor Choi, Public Arts Trust steering committee chair; Ruby Lopez Harper, advocacy committee chair; and Norman Rogers, board member.
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer is led by Suzan Jenkins, CEO on every filing since 2019; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Suzan Jenkins
CEO
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$117K (2019) → $165K (2025)
Dana Pauley
Audit Chair
Treasurer → Chair, 2021
Chair → Audit Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eleanor Choi
Public Arts Trust Steering Committee Chair
Pats Committee Chair → Public Arts Trust Sterering Committee Chair, 2024
Public Arts Trust Sterering Committee Chair → Public Arts Trust Steering Committee Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ruby Lopez Harper
Advocacy Committee Chair
Director → Advocacy Committee Chair, 2023
On filings since 2019
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauren Cook
Board Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Lorey
Board Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair
Treasurer → Treasurer & Fi Com Chair, 2023
Treasurer & Fi Com Chair → Board Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Fechter
Governance Committee Chair
Directors → Governance Committee Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elaine Robnett Moore
Board Secretary
Board Secretary → Secretary, 2020
Secretary → Board Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2019
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Norman Rogers
Board Member
Directors → Director, 2024
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cinder Cooper Barnes
Board Vice Chair
Directors → Board Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Guzman
Board Member
Directors → Director, 2024
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Andrew Wilson
Grants Committee Co-Chair
Directors → Grants Committee Co-Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Feby Emelio
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
3.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Mamie Bittner (2020–2024) — Grants Committee Co-Chair
- Former: Dana Pauley Partial Year (2024) — Audit Chair
- Former: Raesharn Spain Beam Partial Year (2024) — Audit Chair
- Former: Suraya Mohamed (2019–2023) — Governance Committee Chair
- Former: Raesharn Spain Beam (2020–2023) — Audit Chair
- Former: Regina L. Oldak (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Rose Garvin Aquilino (2019–2022) — Vice Chair
- Former: Alan Heymann (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Eric L. Siegel (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Dhru Beeharilal (2020) — Director
- Former: Denise Saunders Thompson (2019) — Director
- Former: Fred M. Gober (2019) — Board Treasurer
- Former: Gary Rosenthal (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $165K, to Suzan Jenkins (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer
How much does Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer give each year?
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer gave $5.4M across 98 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $5.3M across 98 grants.
What is Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's typical grant size?
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's median grant in 2025 was $23,625, and its average grant was $55,074, across 98 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer that year got $9K on average.
Where does Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer give grants?
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer gives mostly in Maryland: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rockville, MD (20 grants), Silver Spring, MD (20 grants), Bethesda, MD (11 grants) and Glen Echo, MD (8 grants).
Does Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer give general operating support?
Yes: 57% of Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (56 of 98) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Project Grant" (42 grants).
Who are Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's largest grantees?
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's largest 2025 grantees include Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc ($600,000), Olney Theatre Corporation DBA Olney Theatre Center for the Arts ($409,499) and Imagination Stage Inc ($367,410), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 26% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer?
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer reported $4.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.8M.
What does Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer fund?
AHCMC’s mission is to cultivate and support excellence in the arts and humanities, expand access to cultural expression, and contribute to regional economic vitality, in partnership with the community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer?
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's EIN?
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1086825. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS March 3, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/arts-and-humanities-council-of-montgomer-morg_9f072df437d3400eb6f07592e946e86b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521086825_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/arts-and-humanities-council-of-montgomer-morg_9f072df437d3400eb6f07592e946e86b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomer down — hundreds of funders to go?