The UPSTART Program is the signature capacity building program of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. UPSTART assists established DC-based arts and humanities nonprofit organizations with significant programmatic functions that face operational and infrastructure challenges and financial limitations that prevent organizational and programmatic sustainability.
| Name | Ward | Amount |
| Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital | 2 | $50,000 |
| Split This Rock, Inc. | 2 | $50,000 |
| The MusicianShip, DC | 8 | $50,000 |
| Theater Alliance of Washington DC | 8 | $50,000 |
| Theatre Lab, Inc. (The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts) | 2 | $50,000 |
| Words Beats and Life Inc | 1 | $50,000 |
FY19 UPSTART (UPS) Grantees (click here)