GENERAL 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.
GOS applications are reviewed in three (3) categories: Generalists, Service Organizations, and Capacity Building. Applicants have the opportunity to choose a category when they initiate an online application.
FY26 GOS REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) is soliciting applications from qualified arts, humanities, or arts education for its Fiscal Year 2026 General Operating Support Grant Program (GOS). Award amounts vary.
Application Release: Tuesday | March 11, 2025
Regular Application Deadline: Tuesday | April 22, 2025 | 10 pm
2-Year Option Application Deadline: Tuesday | May 6, 2025 | 10 pm
Incomplete or late applications or applications that do not follow the instructions and guidelines may be deemed ineligible for review and funding. Prospective applicants should read through this Request for Applications (RFA) in its entirety before submitting an application.
Staff Contacts:
Terrell Johnson, Senior Grants Officer | [email protected]
Kerry Kaleba, Grant Manager | [email protected]
View the FY26 GOS RFA by downloading the PDF of the RFA, or navigating the RFAs using the Table of Contents below.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Overview
- Grant Program Goals
II. General Operating Support (GOS) Grants
- GOS: Generalists
- GOS: Service Organizations
- GOS: Capacity Building
- Successful Applications
- Eligibility Requirements
- Multi-Year Funding
- Allowable Costs
IV. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (I.D.E.A.)
- I.D.E.A. Principles
- I.D.E.A. Definitions
V. Support and Application Process
- Technical Assistance and Workshops
- Grant Application Process
- Application Review Process
- Conditions of Funding, Reporting Requirements, and Grant Cancellations
- Risk Management and Performance Monitoring
- Contact Information
- Review Criteria
- Application Checklist
- Addendum A: Work Samples and Supplementary Materials