Prior to submitting applications, applicants must meet all the following eligibility requirements:
- SINGLE YEAR APPLICANTS: Applicant organizations must have received a general operating support, project, or capacity building grant from CAH in any of the past three (3) annual grant cycles.
- MULTI-YEAR APPLICANTS: Applicant organization must have received funding through CAH’s GOS Single Year grant program in FY26. Additionally, applicant organizations must have received funding for two additional years in one of CAH’s GOS grant program between FY22 and FY25.
- CAPACITY BUILDING APPLICANTS: Applicant organizations must not have previously received a competitive grant award from CAH.
- Be incorporated as a nonprofit with a federally designated tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code, as evidenced by an IRS determination letter that is dated at least one year prior to the application deadline date.
- Be registered with and authorized to do business in the District as a “Domestic” entity (that is, an entity that was incorporated in the District.)
- Have the primary mission focus in one or more of the arts or humanities disciplines, including: dance, design, folk and traditional arts, media and film, music, theater, or visual arts; languages and literature, philosophy, history, archeology, religion, and laws—as evidenced on the organization’s most recently submitted IRS Form 990. The majority of the applicant organization’s activities and/or services are concentrated on and devoted to the arts and humanities and/or arts education.
- Ensure that at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the organization’s activities occur within the District of Columbia. Arts and humanities service organizations that do not meet this requirement may be eligible for distinct project funding opportunities.
- Ensure that one hundred percent (100%) of the grant award dollars are used to support District of Columbia personnel and programming.
- Have devoted at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the organizations previous year’s cash expenses and programming/services to the arts and humanities.
- Have an active Board of Directors.
- Register and comply with the regulatory requirements of pertinent government agencies, including, but not limited to: Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP), DC Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO), DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), and the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Obtain certification of “Citywide Clean Hands” (CCH) from the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (see page 11).
- Be in “good standing” with CAH.
- Note: a CAH grantee that has failed to comply with any CAH mandates (e.g. grant reporting), may not be in “good standing” with CAH and may be ineligible to receive additional funds.
- Have a principal business office address that is in the District of Columbia, subject to on-site visit. CAH will not allow post office boxes or the addresses of board members or volunteers as evidence of the principal business address.
Applicants restricted from applying include:
- Individuals.
- Arts and humanities organizations with a majority of their beneficiaries outside of the District of Columbia.
- Organizations established primarily to provide social services, even if those organizations use the arts, humanities, and arts education programs as a vehicle for service delivery.
- Private clubs and organizations that prohibit membership based upon race, gender, color, religion, or any other classes identified in the District of Columbia Human Rights Act.
- Organizations that require “fiscal agents”; for-profit organizations; political organizations; foreign governments; federal government entities; and other District of Columbia government agencies, including DC Public Schools and charter schools.
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