AHCMC: Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants

AHCMC: Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County
Amount: US $1,000 - US $15,000
Last Updated: February 01, 2026

Summary

The AHCMC: Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants support arts and humanities organizations in Montgomery County, MD. Grants range from $1,000 to $15,000 for projects that foster community engagement and enhance organizational capacity. Eligible applicants include non-profit and non-incorporated groups focused on diverse arts disciplines. The program emphasizes community relationships and aims to promote stability and growth in the arts sector. Grant activities must occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

Overview

NOTE: AHCMC will conduct free grant preparation webinars to instruct prospective applicants on how to complete grant applications. While attendance is not required, AHCMC strongly encourages all potential applicants to attend grant preparation events, even if the applicant has applied previously. Mission The Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC), in partnership with the community, cultivates and supports excellence in the arts and the humanities, expands access to cultural expression, and contributes to economic vitality in the region. Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants (PCBPG) are available to arts and/or humanities organizations and groups located in Montgomery County, MD that may or may not be incorporated as non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Grant awards support projects for organizations and groups that work in a wide array of arts and humanities disciplines including performing arts, media arts, visual arts, literary arts, folk and traditional arts, history, and philosophy. By awarding Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants, the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) seeks to: Encourage organizations/groups to maintain an active, two-way, ongoing relationship with the community in the planning, participation, and evaluation of public activities, which include intentional strategies for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA);Promote stability and healthy growth for arts and humanities organizations/groups by supporting enhanced capacity needs;Help ensure diverse arts and humanities experiences for constituents of Montgomery County, MD;Stimulate local support and involvement in the arts and humanities, including volunteer participation, audience development, and financial contributions;Strengthen the scholarly and artistic capabilities of arts and humanities organizations/groups; andImprove and/or stabilize the management infrastructure and effectiveness of arts and humanities organizations/groups. Award Grants will be awarded for activities occurring between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Applicants may request and may be awarded a grant no lower than $1,000 and no more than $15,000.Requests for over $5,000 require proof of 501(c)(3) status. Applicants without 501(c)(3) status will be eligible to receive a FY27 grant of up to $5,000.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Organizations/groups eligible to apply must have met all the following requirements by the published application deadline:Has its primary mission or objective as the exhibition, presentation, production or performance of, and/or education in, an arts and/or humanities discipline, and/or provides support services to artists and/or scholars and/or arts and/or humanities organizations;Has been in operation for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the application deadline;Has had its primary location and/or a verifiable mailing address in Montgomery County, MD for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the application deadline;Operates as a non-profit:The organization or group may or may not be incorporated and may or may not be formally recognized by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a public charity or otherwise officially established as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) institution. However, the applicant must operate in the manner of a non-profit (the organization’s/group’s net earnings cannot be distributed to those who control it); andHas met all outstanding requirements for any grant(s) received from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County in prior years.Eligible project-types include any of the following:The creation of new workA public event or programCapacity building

Ineligibility

More than one submission per applicant for a Programming & Capacity Building Project Grant per fiscal year will not be accepted.PCBPG applicants may not apply for a General Operating Support Grant, Advancement Grant, or Capital Grant within the same fiscal year.Grant requests for the same project in more than one grant category within the same funding period will not be accepted.Programming & Capacity Building Project Grants will not fund:General operating expenses (day-to-day operating costs)Indirect costs (costs not directly related to carrying out the funded project)Miscellaneous or contingency costsPublic, private, or charter schoolsCapital improvements, construction, or renovation projects;Purchase of real property, including land, buildings, warehouses, offices, and anything affixed to the landActivities for the exclusive benefit of the grantee’s membersFundraising activitiesCost of receptions, refreshments, or foodCost of merchandise such as T-shirtsDebt retirementRe-grantingPolitical advocacy or activities that take a position regarding any one political party, candidate, or issueAdministrative and programming costs incurred outside of Montgomery County, MDTravel outside the United States.