The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) offers Advancement Grants to nonprofit arts and humanities organizations based in Montgomery County, Maryland. These grants support capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening organizations' long-term viability and financial stability. Eligible organizations must have maintained an annual cash operating revenue and expenses of at least $50,000 for the past three completed fiscal years. The grants are designed to assist organizations across various disciplines, including performing arts, media arts, visual arts, literary arts, folk and traditional arts, history, and philosophy.

The purpose of the Advancement Grants program is to help arts and humanities organizations in Montgomery County achieve fiscal stability, plan for capital improvements, enhance emergency preparedness, and upgrade technology essential to their missions. Additionally, the program encourages organizations to implement strategies that promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) within the sector. The grants provide flexible financial support to help organizations adapt and grow in ways that align with their strategic goals and community impact.

Grant awards range from $10,000 to $100,000. Applicants requesting more than $25,000 must submit an audit or financial review for the most recently completed fiscal year, while those requesting over $50,000 must provide a full audit. Notably, AHCMC has eliminated the previous matching funds requirement, making the grants more accessible to a broader range of organizations.

Eligible applicants must submit their proposals through the AHCMC’s grants portal, SurveyMonkey Apply (SM Apply), by February 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Late applications will not be accepted. New applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with AHCMC grant staff before applying. Following submission, applications will undergo a panel review in May 2025. Award announcements are expected in late June 2025. Organizations that receive funding must comply with reporting requirements, including a mid-year report due on February 28, 2026, and a final report due on July 31, 2026.

The Advancement Grants program is structured to ensure that awarded funds are used effectively to enhance organizational capacity and infrastructure. Applicants are expected to demonstrate clear and measurable outcomes in their applications, aligning with the program’s objectives. Funding is restricted to projects that support long-term sustainability rather than general operating costs or short-term activities.

For further inquiries, applicants can contact AHCMC staff, including Krystle Seit (Grants Coordinator), Takenya LaViscount (Grants Director), and Jesús Guzman (Grants Assistant Manager). The AHCMC office is located at 801 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Additional resources, including application guidelines and templates, are available on the AHCMC website.