The Community Arts Grant (CAG) is keystone funding program that provides general operating support to nonprofit arts organizations that provide programming to the residents of Anne Arundel County.
Donor Name: Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
State: Maryland
County: Anne Arundel County (MD)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/15/2026
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
To promote equity among organizations of different sizes, the CAG application is divided into three tiers:
- CAG Tier I: for organizations with an annual operating budget of up to $100,000
- CAG Tier II: for organizations with an annual operating budget of between $100,000 – $750,000
- CAG Tier III: for organizations with an annual operating budget of more than $750,000
The key objectives of the Community Arts Grant program are to:
- Foster excellence, diversity, and vitality in arts offerings for all Anne Arundel County residents, regardless of age, geographic location, race, ethnicity, country of origin, or other characteristic.
- Broaden opportunities for Anne Arundel County audiences, artists, and arts organizations.
- Increase the availability of arts activities and programs for all residents; and
- Promote county wide awareness of arts resources and opportunities.
Types of Grant
Two types of grants are available through the Community Arts Grant program:
- Founding Grants are available to eligible organizations that have not previously received funding from the Arts Council, and are capped at $2,500
- A general operating grant is available to organizations that have received a previous ACAAC Community Arts Grant and demonstrated sound fiscal stewardship of those monies.
Project Period
July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Eligibility Criteria
In order to be eligible, all organizations must:
- Produce or present the arts through public programming in Anne Arundel County.
- Be incorporated in Anne Arundel County as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or have significant physical presence in Anne Arundel County.
- Have actively operated as an arts organization or arts program for one full fiscal year and be able to submit a financial statement for their most recently completed fiscal year.
- Must demonstrate that arts programming is either their exclusive or primary focus.
- Non-Arts Organizations: A limited number of applications are accepted, provided the arts remain a central priority.
- Historic Preservation Nonprofits: Eligible only if programming features a strong arts
- Be governed by a legally liable board of directors acting under a mission statement and budget specific to the organization.
- Be able to document current Good Standing Status with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation at the time of application and throughout the grant period.
- Must prohibit discrimination based on: (a) political or religious opinion or affiliation, material status, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, or national origin: of (b) gender expression, sex, or age, except when age or sex constitute a bona fide occupational qualification; or (c) the physical or mental disability of a qualified individual with a disability.
- Must comply with MD Solicitations Act §6-402 (b)(7): A charitable organization must file an audited financial statement prepared by an independent CPA if the gross income from charitable contributions is at least $750,000. For organizations with gross annual contributions between $300,000-$750,000 financial statements must be reviewed or audited by an independent CPA.
- Public, private, and charter K-12 schools, and pre-schools are not eligible to apply. Schools should refer to the Arts in Education Grants for funding opportunities.
For more information, visit ACAAC.
