Community Arts Development (CAD) Project Grants are for arts and nonprofit organizations presenting arts-related projects.
Donor Name: Howard County Arts Council (HCAC)
State: Maryland
County: Howard County (MD)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 05/07/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Howard County-based nonprofits can apply for up to $6,000 annually to support creative initiatives such as exhibits, concerts, theatrical productions, arts classes and workshops, cultural festivals, and art publications.
Purpose
- To foster excellence, diversity, and vitality in arts offerings for Howard County residents.
- To broaden opportunities for Howard County audiences, artists and arts organizations.
- To increase the availability of arts activities in Howard County.
- To promote countywide awareness of arts resources and opportunities.
Project Period
September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant organizations must be incorporated as nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, 501(C)(3), in good standing with both State and Federal governments.
- Applicant organizations must be in good standing with HoCo Arts.
- Applicant organizations must be soundly managed and financially accountable, and provide proof thereof. Their arts activities must be open to the general public. Arts facilities (e.g. museums, arts and/or cultural centers with public exhibits) must be regularly open and available to the general public, with or without an admission fee.
- Applicant organizations must maintain their primary office and conduct at least 50% of all business operations, programs and activities in Howard County (i.e.: 50% of rehearsals, 50% of Board and committee meetings, 50% of performances, workshops, etc.). Corporate papers, such as the 990 and Personal Property Tax forms, letterhead and program materials submitted must show primary office is located in the County.
- Each 501(c)3 organization may apply for no more than one grant through this program.
- Organizations must be governed by an independent, legally liable Board of Directors that represents its community and is acting under a mission statement and operating budget specific to the organization.
To be eligible to apply in the operating category, the following conditions must also exist:
- Applicant organization must be incorporated as an arts or cultural organization with exhibition, presentation or production in the arts as its primary function, as documented within your articles of incorporation, and whose primary purpose is producing or presenting the arts through public programs and services.
- Organizations must have successfully completed two CAD project grants over the past two consecutive years, which includes completing the project as described in the grant application and submitting related interim and final reports on time. HoCo Arts must approve all reports and will notify applicants of any outstanding issues. Organizations should plan on applying in the project category for a minimum of three years.
- Organization must be in good standing with HoCo Arts (i.e. all required obligations from previous grants are met and all reports are submitted on time and are accurate, complete, and approved).
- Organizations must have at least a part-time paid executive director, CEO, managing director, or comparable position responsible for administering the grant funds and who reports directly to the organizations’ board of directors. This position must be filled for no fewer than 6 of the 12 months prior to submitting the application.
For more information, visit HCAC.
