FY25 PEF Application and Review Information

CAH selects individuals who are arts, humanities and/or business professionals, independent of CAH, to serve as advisory review panelists for each grant program. A panelist reviews and scores an eligible application. They score it based on the grant program’s criteria. CAH’s grant application evaluation process considers basic standards of decency. It also respects the diverse beliefs and values of the American public. This follows The National Foundation on the Arts and Humanities Act. The act was amended in 1990. For more about the grant review process, visit the Guide to Grants. To nominate or volunteer a person, see CAH’s Call for Panelists. If assigned, they will serve on an advisory review panel for a grant program.

Section V.A: Criteria, Review and Selection Process

CAH can accept or deny any application. It will do so if it's in CAH's best interest. CAH will notify the applicant if it rejects that applicant’s proposal. CAH may pause or end an RFA. This would be due to its own grantmaking rule(s) or any federal regulation or requirement. CAH may do pre-award site visits. They do this to check the info in the application and see if the facilities are right for the services. If the RFA's terms conflict with any federal or local law or regulation, or any ambiguity about them, then the law or regulation wins. The applicant must ensure compliance.

Each application shall be reviewed as detailed below.

Category	Criteria	Weight
Arts, Humanities and Content and/or Merit	The applicants work samples and support materials (brochures, articles, letters of support, etc.) demonstrate their knowledge of, and skills in, their content area. (20%) The applicant demonstrates the use of personnel with subject matter expertise (such as arts administrators, humanities professionals, teaching artists, educators, professional artists) to plan and implement project content. (20%)	40%
I.D.E.A.	CAH prioritizes applicants who intentionally and authentically incorporate I.D.E.A strategies in the development and implementation to their work. CAH also prefers the use of asset-based language (i.e. unique, passionate, capable, thriving) as opposed to deficit-based language (i.e. at-risk, lacking, marginalized, underserved) when describing the target population. The project demonstrates an experience that is inclusive and diverse, either through project content or the personnel involved in delivering the project. (5%) The project design demonstrates a commitment to engage all participants by ensuring equity and access (considering factors such as cultural, socio-economic, geographical, physical, and intellectual ability, etc). (5%) The applicant outlines a plan for current and/or future adjustments to the project, based on the evolving needs of the community; and/or how this project supports the applicant’s evolving goals. (5%)	15%
District Impact and Evaluation	The project demonstrates the ability to reach a reasonable number of District residents and/or visitors. (5%) The applicant demonstrates a commitment to hiring DC-based artists and humanities professionals, where applicable, to deliver arts and/or humanities content (such as arts administrators, humanities professionals, teaching artists, educators, professional artists). (5%) The applicant includes evaluation strategies that will measure both project impact and effectiveness, and participant engagement. (5%)	15%
Organizational/Project Management	1.The applicant demonstrates the appropriate oversight, financial controls, and governance to deliver its services and programming. (15%) 2.The applicant has the necessary expertise and personnel in place to deliver its services and programming. (15%)	30%

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dcarts

DC Arts

FY25 PEF Application and Review Information

Section V.A: Criteria, Review and Selection Process