Community Arts Development Project Grant

The Community Arts Development (CAD) Grant Program administered by the Howard County Arts Council (HoCo Arts) supports nonprofit organizations aiming to enrich Howard County, Maryland, through diverse artistic offerings. The CAD program includes both operating and project grant categories. Project grants, in particular, are intended to fund specific artistic projects or programs that promote cultural vitality, broaden access to the arts, and serve Howard County audiences. This funding mechanism emphasizes the growth and development of arts organizations and fosters collaboration between arts and non-arts organizations through project-based initiatives. The Project Grant component of the CAD program funds artistic processes or products that take place in Howard County between September 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027. Applicants may include both arts and eligible non-arts nonprofit organizations, provided they are in good standing with HoCo Arts and meet all relevant legal and management criteria. All applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations with their primary office located in Howard County, and at least 50% of their programming and operations must take place within the county. New applicants or those without recent operating grants must apply for project funding for two consecutive years before becoming eligible for operating grants. Project grant applicants may request up to $6,000 in funding, which cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost. Matching funds are required on a cash basis, with in-kind contributions detailed separately but not applied toward the match. Funding cannot be used for capital improvements, travel, refreshments, debt repayment, or political purposes. Only direct artistic costs are considered for funding. Projects must occur entirely within Howard County and may not be funded retroactively. Summer projects may be eligible for an extended reporting deadline. Applications for the FY 2027 project grant cycle are due by May 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET and must be submitted via the online portal at hcac.gosmart.org. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Required documents include corporate papers, financial reports, and supporting materials demonstrating compliance with federal and local non-discrimination laws. Organizations may only apply for one CAD grant per cycle—either operating or project—and are responsible for including all attachments and responding promptly to any revision requests from HoCo Arts. Applications will be reviewed by an Artistic Review Panel composed of peer artists and academics. Evaluation is based on three major criteria: artistic merit, service to the community, and organizational capacity. Reviewers assess the quality and feasibility of the proposed project, qualifications of the artists involved, audience engagement strategies, diversity and accessibility efforts, financial health, and past performance in grant administration. Final funding decisions are made by the HoCo Arts Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Committee on Grants. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in September 2026. If awarded, grantees must sign a Letter of Agreement and comply with all reporting and attribution requirements. Final reports are due by July 15, 2027, or August 31, 2027, for extended summer projects. Organizations receiving $10,000 or more must use professional bookkeeping services; those receiving $15,000 or more must submit a financial review or audit depending on their operating budget. Failure to comply with reporting requirements or misuse of funds may result in forfeiture of funding or ineligibility for future grants.

Emphasize artistic merit and community benefit. Match requirements and accessibility compliance are strictly enforced.