When determining which funding opportunity is most appropriate, applicants should consider which category will allow the organization to grow in a healthy manner, strengthen sustainability, and create strong partnerships in the community. GOS II is a highly competitive and rigorous category. Rather than focusing on the grant award, applicants are encouraged to consider organizational capacity, financial stability, and right-sizing. Applicants are always encouraged to contact AHCMC staff for guidance before the application deadline if it is unclear which grant category represents the best fit.

Updates to AHCMC guidelines are iterative and developmental. The FY21 changes are intended to more equitably distribute the county’s finite resources with the least amount of harm to the fewest number of organizations.

GOS II grants are a multiyear funding opportunity, offered every two years. During each 2019 “Listening Session”, constituents expressed the need for two-year awards to reduce administrative burden, allow for long-term budget planning, and afford greater financial stability.

Applicants will be required to complete a full application for panel review in FY24. Grantees will submit a mid-year report and final report. In FY26, the administrative process will repeat except grantees will not submit a full application. Instead, grantees will simply provide updated financials, including their audit and 990. Grantees will also be required to submit a FY26 mid-year and final report, providing updates on organizational changes, progress made toward achieving organizational goals, other successes, and/or organizational challenges.

Each year, all grant funding is subject to fiscal appropriation, including possible reduction or termination, by the Montgomery County Government. For FY25 and FY26, GOS II base awards will consist of a percentage of the organization’s average total allowable cash expenses and/or allowable cash income during the past three completed fiscal years.

Each grants cycle, AHCMC will calculate the allowable financial figure for each of the past three fiscal years based on the organization’s audits. The base awards will incorporate allowable cash/income calculations as well as the current county allocation. While the base award percentage may shift due to county allocation budgetary shifts, AHCMC’s budget advocacy is aimed at ensuring that base awards do not fall below 5% to avoid causing financial instability for grantees.

A grantee’s score will remain the same for both FY25 and FY26, until the grantee submits a full application for FY27 panel review. A more in-depth explanation can be found on pages 8-9 of the guidelines.

The competitive excellence awards will be provided if funds remain after the minimum 5% base awards have been calculated for all GOS II grantees. As detailed on page 13 of the guidelines, the competitiveness excellence awards factor in the organization’s panel score, the average panel score of all organizations that are recommended for a grant, and the mean. Grantees receive an excellence award if their score is above the mean. The higher the grantee’s score and the further away from the mean, the higher the grantee’s excellence award. The score earned in FY25 will be carried forward in FY26.

Since 2012, the guidelines for organizations that meet the eligibility requirements have remained constant in that all GOS II awardees will receive a minimum 5% base award. Should funding allocations from the county increase in accordance with increased demand and growth in the budget size of organizations in this category, the base awards will continue to fluctuate, based on overall budgets, demand, and the county’s appropriation.

No. Scores awarded in FY25will be used for funding allocations in both FY24 and FY26. If an organization scores below a 60 and is not funded in GOS II in FY25, that organization may apply for a GOS I Grant, a Programming & Capacity Building Project Grant or Advancement Grant in FY26.

The appeals process remains unchanged from prior years. The guidelines provided to the field in FY20 contained the same appeals process.

AHCMC has instituted a funding cap for GOS II to more equitably distribute the county’s finite resources to the majority of our funding portfolio. In the process of revising the grant guidelines, AHCMC staff researched the grantmaking practices and reviewed guidelines created by a significant number of arts/humanities funders across the country, paying special attention to counties comparable to Montgomery County in size.

Some arts/humanities funders set firm caps for their general operating grants, for example, Fairfax County’s cap is $50,000. Other funders use a regressive funding formula. For example, San Antonio uses a regressive formula; organizations with operating expenses over $10 million receive up to 3% of their operating budget.

Communities are unique. What helps to grow the arts sector in one community in one part of the country will differ from what helps the sector to thrive in another. AHCMC is fortunate to serve a multicultural community with a vibrant arts scene and strives to nurture a broad and varied portfolio of artists, scholars, and arts/humanities organizations.

We reviewed the most recent grant awards, the eligible budget for grantees, and determined that capping grant awards at $600,000 will ensure the equitable distribution of the county’s finite resources to the greatest number of eligible applicants with the least amount of harm to the fewest number of organizations.

No. The cap is per year and applies to GOS II only. Applicants may also be eligible to seek additional funding in other categories.

Considering that AHCMC’s goals differ from that of MSAC, our approach to funding calculations also differs.

Glen Echo, Maryland ($144,302)

Adventure Theatre MTC educates and inspires new generations of theater artists and audiences with exceptional theatrical experiences.

Chevy Chase, Maryland ($39,015)

Through collaborative performance and lifelong learning opportunities, ArtStream enables people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to gain the skills and confidence to engage with the world. ArtStream’s staff believe that when people make their own choices and are engaged, stimulated, challenged, and inspired, they surpass both their own and others’ expectations. ArtStream’s Vision: To build an inclusive world where everyone can perform their art out.

North Bethesda, Maryland ($203,690)

Founded in quality symphonic music of all eras that nurtures the human spirit, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is committed to engaging, inspiring, educating, and serving its audiences and to enhancing Maryland as a cultural center of vitality and importance.

Rockville, Maryland ($65,226)

The Bender Jewish Community Center (JCC) is an all-inclusive community rooted in Jewish values. JCC’s arts and cultural programming illuminate the human experience through film, music, gallery exhibits, and literary events. Workshops and classes present the community with the opportunity to try something new in a comfortable, welcoming supportive place.

North Bethesda, Maryland ($110,597)

CityDance is a nonprofit dance institution dedicated to developing the next generation of dance artists and innovators. CityDance trains young dancers for professional careers, nurtures talent and achievement through dance, and works to advance the field of professional dance. Anchored in a belief that diversity advances excellence, CityDance works to create opportunities that promote equitable access to dance education and performance.

Rockville, Maryland ($66,111)

Friends of the Library strengthens, promotes, and champions Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL), enabling MCPL to better serve the learning interests and needs of diverse and changing communities.[/accordion-content]

Germantown, Maryland ($89,867)

BlackRock Center for the Arts brings inspiring performing and visual arts experiences to diverse audiences in a welcoming and intimate setting, providing opportunities to explore, celebrate and engage in the arts. Overarching goals are to present programs and artistic experiences of the highest quality to attract, retain, and grow participation in the arts; facilitate opportunities for engagement and life-long learning in a range of artistic disciplines; and reflect, celebrate, and engage the diversity of local communities.

Glen Echo, Maryland ($118,894)

Glen Echo Park Partnership for the Arts and Culture presents vibrant artistic, cultural, and educational offerings at the Park, and promotes the Park as a unique destination for the region’s diverse population.

Bethesda, Maryland ($271,342)

Imagination Stage (IStage) empowers young people to discover their voice and identity through performing arts education and professional theatre.

North Bethesda, Maryland ($161,981)

Levine Music is the region’s preeminent center for music education committed to developing a lifelong love of music in everyone, regardless of age, ability, or means. Levine is founded on three pillars: Education, Performance, and Community. Levine Music’s goals are to provide the cognitive and social benefits of arts education; create a new generation of music appreciators; spur community redevelopment; provide mentors to students; and offer scholarships and free outreach programs for hundreds of children with limited financial resources.

Silver Spring, Maryland ($136,101)

Maryland Youth Ballet’s provides the metropolitan region with: high caliber classical ballet training to prepare young dancers for professional careers in the performing arts; high quality of classes for adults; professional-quality ballet performances; opportunities for financially disadvantaged children to be exposed to ballet, full-training scholarships for those with dance potential; and the opportunity for young children with physical disabilities to experience the joy of dance.

Gaithersburg, Maryland ($62,872)

Metropolitan Ballet Theatre provides arts opportunities for all through exceptional dance education, community outreach, and inspiring performances.

Rockville, Maryland ($115,477)

VisArts transforms individuals and communities through the visual arts.

Rockville, Maryland ($26,046)

Montgomery History collects, preserves, interprets, and shares the history of all of Montgomery County’s residents and communities.

North Bethesda, Maryland ($119,787)

National Philharmonic engages, inspires, and unites diverse communities through outstanding music performances and innovative education programs.

Olney, Maryland ($429,368)

Olney Theatre Center produces and curates theatrical performances for the diverse audiences in its community, and educates, learns from, supports, and inspires a more inclusive generation of theater-makers. The Theatre’s vision is to become an arts and culture powerhouse, redefining the American regional theater movement by cultivating and sharing the creativity in its community.

Bethesda, Maryland ($236,491)

Round House is a theatre for everyone. Round House enriches the community through bold, outstanding theatrical and educational experiences that inspire empathy and demand conversation.

Sandy Spring, Maryland ($35,228)

Sandy Spring Museum supports community-generated cultural arts and educational programs. The museum gathers community to build a sense of place and belonging.

North Bethesda, Maryland ($600,000)

Strathmore presents and produces exemplary visual and performing arts programs for diverse audiences; creates dynamic arts education experiences; and nurtures creative ideas and conversations that advance the future of the arts.

Bethesda, Maryland ($60,864)

The Writer’s Center empowers writers and those who aspire to write through workshops, events, and creative collaboration. The Writer’s Center also supports and celebrates those who publish.

Glen Echo, Maryland ($63,103)

The Washington Conservatory of Music provides exceptional musical learning and listening experiences for their students and for the community.

Glen Echo, Maryland ($49,210)

Washington Revels uses performance, education, and community engagement to revive, sustain, expand, and celebrate cultural traditions — in music, dance, storytelling, and drama – that bind people together in spirit and joy. Washington Revels strives to illustrate the world’s common humanity, connecting all people in a community that stretches across ethnic, cultural, and religious divisions.