All applications must be submitted online by 10 PM ET on Tuesday, April 22, 2025
OVERVIEW
The General Operating Support Grant Program (GOS) offers general operating support to non-profit arts, humanities, and arts education organizations whose primary mission focus is in one or more arts or humanities disciplines referenced in Guide to Grants. The mission, as submitted on the organization’s most-recent IRS Form 990, should include the word(s) arts, humanities, and/or arts or humanities discipline. More than 51% of both the organization’s previous year’s cash expenses and programming/services must be devoted to the arts and humanities and/or arts education.
GOS applicants must demonstrate the ways in which their ongoing programming aligns with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) goal to encourage diverse artistic expressions and learning opportunities, so that all District of Columbia residents and visitors may experience the rich culture of the city. Successful GOS applications must clearly detail their organization’s outstanding leadership and vision, history of arts/humanities programming and strong track record of broad and inclusive community engagement.
Award amounts are determined by an organization’s total cash expenses for its DC-based arts and humanities programming in the most recently completed fiscal year, as supported by the organization’s IRS Form 990. Award amounts are also subject to CAH’s availability of funds and are based upon the organization’s advisory review panel score. Due to the nature of CAH’s budget being sourced from dedicated tax revenue, any award determined at the beginning of FY 2026 may be further enhanced, by no more than 50% of the original award, at a later date during that same fiscal year.
Organizations with current or recent unusual budgetary circumstances, which may cause a marked increase/decrease to a fiscal year budget should contact a GOS grant program manager to discuss their particular circumstances.
CAH grant funds must be spent within CAH’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY 2026) (October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026).
GRANT PROGRAM GOALS
By making its GOS grant awards, CAH endeavors to:
- Ensure District residents are engaged in a diverse array of accessible arts, humanities, and arts education programming and services.
- Encourage District arts and humanities organizations to utilize an equitable lens in the creation of their programming and services for their staff/board and audiences.
- Enhance the capacity and stability of arts, humanities, and arts education organizations.
- Strengthen resilience, cohesion, and community within the District’s arts and humanities ecosystems.
—> View Grants