General Operating Support II
General Operating Support II Grants (GOS II) are available to non-profit arts and/or humanities organizations located in Montgomery County, MD that have had both cash operating expenses and revenue of at least $150,000 for the last three completed fiscal years. FY25-26 grants will be awarded for activities occurring from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026.
By awarding GOS II Grants, the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County (AHCMC) seeks to:
- Encourage organizations 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 in arts and humanities organizations by providing a base of funding to support operating budgets;
- 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; and
- Improve and/or stabilize the management infrastructure and effectiveness of arts and humanities organizations.
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Important Dates
Questions?
- Dates + Deadlines
- Webinars
- FAQ
- Guidelines + Eligibility
- Application + Templates
- Previous Grants Awarded
- FY25-26 Grantees
FY25-26 Important Dates
- Guidelines Published – Friday, December 22, 2024
- Letter of Intent Deadline – Friday, February 2, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
- Application Deadline – Friday, March 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
New applicants are highly encouraged to contact AHCMC grants staff. All Letters of Intent, applications, and relevant materials must be submitted online through AHCMC’s grants portal.
Late letters of intent, applications, and relevant materials will not be accepted.
Additional Dates Post-Application
- Panel Review (virtual) – May 2024
- FY23 990 and FY23 audit, AHCMC Reporting Data, and Budget Worksheet Due Date – June 1, 2024
- Award Announcement – late June 2024
- FY25 Mid-Year Report – TBD
- FY25 Final Report – July 31, 2025
- Financial Update – June 1, 2025
- FY26 Mid-Year Report – January 31, 2026
- FY26 Final Report – July 31, 2026
Webinars
- Friday, January 26, 2024 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Register on Eventbrite!
All AHCMC webinars will be hosted through the Zoom platform. Visit to our Webinars page to see upcoming workshops and webinars for all open grant categories.
Webinars allow grant-seekers to ask AHCMC grants staff specific questions about the grant guidelines, application, and online grants portal.
At each webinar, AHCMC grants staff review eligibility requirements and offer technical assistance for both the application process and the online grants portal.
FY25-26 GOS II Application Preparation Webinar
SurveyMonkey Apply (SM Apply) Tutorial
Frequently Asked Questions for GOS II Grants
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.
Guidelines
- View a PDF of the FY25-26 GOS II Guidelines
Required Letter of Intent Materials:
- Arts/Humanities Mission Statement;
- AHCMC Budget Worksheet;
- IRS Letter of Determination;
- Montgomery, MD Office Address;
- List of Board of Directors;
- Agreement with Core Organization (Affiliate Organizations only);
- Information for full-time paid executive director, CEO, managing director, or comparable position;
- Percentage of Programs in Montgomery County, MD;
- Confirmation of ability to meet the 990 deadline; and
- Confirmation of ability to meet the audit deadline.
Required Application Materials:
- Completed Narrative
- Organizational Support Materials
- Bios of key staff and volunteers;
- Current Strategic Plan, if available; and
- Organizational Chart, if available.
- Financial Support Materials
- FY23 990 or letter of extension (990 must be received by AHCMC no later than June 1, 2024);
- FY23 audit or letter of extension (audit must be received by AHCMC no later than June 1, 2024);
- Profit & Loss Statement for the most recently completed fiscal year;
- Balance Sheet for the most recently completed fiscal year;
- Current fiscal year operating budget with actuals year-to-date; and
- Projected FY25 budget, if available.
- Programming Support Materials
- Work Sample(s)
- AHCMC Reporting Data Form
The grant awards for recommended GOS II applicants are based on a percentage of the organization’s average total allowable cash expenses and/or allowable cash income during the past three consecutive completed fiscal years, the panel’s ratings, total number of eligible applicants, and the public dollars available.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
Read the guidelines for full eligibility requirements. An organization eligible to apply has to have met ALL the following criteria by the published application deadline and for the last three completed and consecutive fiscal years.
Core Organizations:
- Has its primary mission as the exhibition, presentation, production and/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 its primary office in Montgomery County, MD, as demonstrated by the address included in the IRS Letter of Determination;
- Has a balanced budget and documented allowable annual cash operating revenue and expenses of no less than $150,000;
- Demonstrates 501(c)(3) status as described on page 5 of the FY25-26 GOS II guidelines;
- Is governed by an independent, legally liable Board of Directors operating under a mission statement for the organization and an operating budget specific to the organization;
- At least 40% of its Board members reside and/or work in Montgomery County, MD;
- Has as a full-time (35 hours or more) paid executive director, CEO, managing director, or comparable position who reports directly to the organization’s Board of Directors;
- Offers at least 51% of its programs and services in Montgomery County, MD, as demonstrated by previous, current, and projected activities and programming. Activities may be open to the public, with or without an admission fee, in person or virtually. In-person activities must follow current COVID-19 guidelines as required by the Montgomery County Health Department; and
- Has met all outstanding requirements for any grant(s) received from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County in prior years.
Affiliate Organizations:
- Has its primary mission as the exhibition, presentation, production and/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 its primary office outside of Montgomery County, MD, however:
- Has a local Montgomery County, MD telephone number (such as 301 or 240 exchange); and
- Has staff present on the premises of a Core Organization at least 1,000 hours a year distributed over no fewer than 40 weeks during the year;
- Has a balanced budget and documented allowable annual cash operating revenue and expenses of no less than $150,000;
- Demonstrates 501(c)(3) status as described on page 5 of the FY25-26 GOS II guidelines;
- Is governed by an independent, legally liable Board of Directors operating under a mission statement for the organization and an operating budget specific to the organization;
- At least 15% of its Board members reside and/or work in Montgomery County, MD;
- Has as a full-time (35 hours or more) paid executive director, CEO, managing director, or comparable position who reports directly to the organization’s Board of Directors;
- Has an agreement with a Core Organization to provide a regular season of programming and/or educational services at the facility of the Core Organization. Activities may be open to the public, with or without an admission fee, in person or virtually. In-person activities must follow current COVID-19 guidelines as required by the Montgomery County Health Department; and
- Has met all outstanding requirements for any grant(s) received from the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County in prior years.
LOI Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024
Applicants are highly encouraged to use the application templates to prepare the narrative and supplementary materials. Need to review or download your application? Access SurveyMonkey Apply (SM Apply): https://artsandhumanities.smapply.io/
FY25-26 GOS II Grant Templates:
*Know that these are templates for your reference only – all Letters of Intent, applications, and relevant materials must be submitted through SM Apply.*
- View a PDF of the FY25-26 GOS II LOI Template
- Download a Word document of the FY25-26 GOS II LOI Template
- View a PDF of the FY25 AHCMC Budget Worksheet Template
- Download an Excel document of the FY25 AHCMC Budget Worksheet Template
- View a PDF of the FY25-26 GOS II Full Application Template
- Download a Word document of the FY25-26 GOS II Full Application Template
FY25-26 General Operating Support II Grants (GOS II)
$3,183,154 awarded for July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026
GOS II Grants provide general operating support to non–profit arts and/or humanities organizations located in Montgomery County, MD that have had both cash operating revenue and expenses of at least $150,000 for the past three completed fiscal years, have a full–time paid director, and can provide an annual audit. Twenty-one organizations received FY25 awards in this category.
View previous grants awarded for GOS II and other grant categories.
Glen Echo, Maryland ($115,078)
Adventure Theatre MTC educates and inspires new generations of theater artists and audiences with exceptional theatrical experiences.
North Bethesda, Maryland ($113,097)
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) performs the highest quality symphonic music of all eras that nurtures the human spirit. The BSO is committed to engaging, inspiring, educating, and serving diverse audiences, and to enhancing Maryland as a cultural center of vitality and importance.
Rockville, Maryland ($53,173)
The Bender Jewish Community Center (JCC) hosts a vibrant and robust array of arts and culture programs that engage the senses and enrich the community. The Bender JCC is committed to sustaining excellence in all presentations, including concerts and music lessons, art exhibits and classes, films, and literary events.
North Bethesda, Maryland ($103,528)
CityDance is 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 performances.
Rockville, Maryland ($124,324)
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 of the County.
Germantown, Maryland ($107,116)
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. BlackRock facilitates opportunities for engagement and life-long learning in a range of artistic disciplines; reflecting, celebrating, and engaging the diversity of local communities.
Glen Echo, Maryland ($116,883)
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. The Partnership seeks to inspire creativity and offer shared artistic experiences in a welcoming historic and natural setting within a National Park.
Bethesda, Maryland ($259,788)
Imagination Stage (IStage) empowers young people to discover their voice and identity through performing arts education and professional theatre. IStage envisions a future where theatre experiences are a fundamental aspect of children’s lives, nourishing their creative spirit, inspiring them to embrace the complexity and diversity of their world, and helping them overcome their challenges with hope, courage and, above all, creativity.
North Bethesda, Maryland ($162,973)
Levine Music provides a musical home to people of all ages, musical, physical, cognitive abilities, and financial means. Levine Music is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
Silver Spring, Maryland ($133,862)
Maryland Youth Ballet 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; affordable, professional 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 ($65,331)
Metropolitan Ballet Theatre provides arts opportunities for all through exceptional dance education, community outreach, and inspiring performances.
Rockville, Maryland ($152,775)
VisArts transforms individuals and communities through the visual arts.
North Bethesda, Maryland ($124,023)
National Philharmonic engages, inspires, and unites diverse communities through outstanding music performances and education programs, centering access, inclusion, collaborative creativity, innovation, educational engagement, and inspirational connections.
Olney, Maryland ($401,877)
Olney Theatre Center produces and curates theatrical performances for the diverse audiences in its community, educates, learns from, supports, and inspires a more inclusive generation of theater-makers, redefining the American regional theater movement by cultivating and sharing the creativity in its community.
Bethesda, Maryland ($302,762)
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 ($49,774)
Sandy Spring Museum connects diverse communities and advances social equity through shared and inspiring experiences of our region’s cultural heritage.
Poolesville, Maryland ($54,327)
Story Tapestries uses arts as a powerful tool to create accessible, open spaces and opportunities for individuals to reach their highest potential and to work together for a more inclusive community. Story Tapestries provides innovative, custom-designed performances, hands-on community and educational experiences; designing programs that develop skills, connect individuals, elevate diverse voices, and celebrate youth, families, adults, and seniors.
North Bethesda, Maryland ($600,000)
Strathmore amplifies distinctive and diverse artistic voices, curating experiences to enrich every life and shape stronger communities.
Bethesda, Maryland ($51,310)
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 ($56,380)
The Washington Conservatory of Music provides exceptional musical learning and listening experiences for their students and for the community.
Glen Echo, Maryland ($34,773)
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, connecting all people in a community that stretches across ethnic, cultural, and religious divisions.
The FY25-26 GOS II cycle runs from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026.
- View a PDF of the FY25-26 GOS II Guidelines (1)
Important Dates Post-Application
- FY25 Mid-Year Report – February 28, 2025
- PDF Template Coming Soon!
- Word document Template Coming Soon!
For current FY25-26 grantees, all mid-year and final reports must be completed online through AHCMC’s grants portal, SurveyMonkey Apply (SM Apply). Access SM Apply: https://artsandhumanities.smapply.io/
Need to make changes to your project? Fill out a grant change request form, available on our resources page: https://www.creativemoco.com/find-opportunities/resources/