The East Arts (EA) Grant Program, administered by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), is designed to support nonprofit arts, humanities, arts education, and service organizations that are based in or serve residents in the Northeast (NE) and Southeast (SE) quadrants of Washington, D.C. This program aligns with CAH’s broader goal of enhancing cultural access and strengthening the District’s status as a world-class cultural capital through targeted investment in historically underrepresented areas.

The EA grant specifically aims to increase access to high-quality arts and humanities experiences for residents in NE and SE D.C., improve quality of life through vibrant and community-focused programming, and showcase the creative excellence of local artists and organizations. The program seeks to uplift cultural initiatives that reflect the identity, creativity, and heritage of these communities while supporting organizations that deliver impactful arts and humanities projects.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations engaged in arts, humanities, arts education, or cultural services. The programming proposed must occur within the NE or SE quadrants of the city and must be open and accessible to the public. Applications that demonstrate a deep connection to local communities and a commitment to elevating the cultural landscape of NE and SE D.C. are strongly encouraged.

For Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), the EA application process opens on March 11, 2025, and closes at 10 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, April 22, 2025. The maximum funding amount available to each organization is $35,000. The total number of awards and total funding allocation are contingent upon available resources and the number of qualified applicants. CAH offers workshops and live chats to support prospective applicants, accessible via Eventbrite.

Applicants are encouraged to review the full Request for Applications (RFA) for complete guidelines and application requirements. For additional information and direct assistance, applicants may contact Khalid Randolph, the EA Grant Program Manager, via email.