County Executive Marc Elrich proposed a $7,053,955  FY 2026 Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) budget allocation for re-granting and administration. The proposal would increase AHCMC by approximately $200,000 ($205,455), a 3% increase in FY 2026. Any additional funding is good news; however, we know more is needed. We thank the County Executive for his stalwart support during this intense time of uncertainty and request an additional $500,000 in re-granting funds to meet the projected demand of our community. 

AHCMC thanks County Executive Elrich for his stalwart support for the arts and humanities in Montgomery County and must request additional funding based on rising demand from the field, inflation, and escalating funding disruptions from both private and public funders due to political factors at the federal level.

The Advocacy Platform:

Our request for increased support is based on application data and survey responses from the field that inform a dynamic and impactful investment strategy for Montgomery County’s arts and humanities sector.

In line with grants and services demand from professional arts and humanities practitioners and cultural nonprofits across Montgomery County, we request:

• Support for the County Executive’s 3% increase
• $500,000 in additional re-granting funds above the County Executive’s FY26 Budget Proposal for AHCMC’s FY26 budget allocation.

Data from recent AHCMC grantee surveys and FY26 applications show an increase in demand exceeding $700,000 for FY 2026 over FY 2025. County funds are needed to stabilize disruptions in contributed income from our current political climate and to offset long-tail effects from low sales due to health concerns from residents and patrons.  The $700,000 increase in demand encompasses FY256 grant applicants, increased cost of living, and an expanded FY26 grant pool that reflects our growing county.