Projects, Events, or Festivals Grant

The Projects, Events, or Festivals (PEF) grant program is administered by the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an independent agency within the DC government tasked with supporting and advancing arts and humanities initiatives across the District. The agency operates with funding from the District government and partial support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and it is authorized under DC Code to promote cultural development and public engagement in the arts. The PEF program specifically aligns with this mission by funding projects that enhance the District’s position as a world-class cultural capital. The purpose of the PEF grant is to support individuals and nonprofit organizations that produce arts and humanities programming with measurable impact on District residents and visitors. The program emphasizes increasing access to high-quality cultural experiences, improving community quality of life, and strengthening the local creative economy. Eligible activities include a wide range of artistic and humanities programming such as concerts, exhibitions, literary readings, and festivals featuring multiple disciplines. Projects may vary in scale but must demonstrate clear engagement with the DC community and be fully implemented within the District. Funding is available in two primary tiers: individuals may request up to 10000 dollars, while nonprofit organizations may request up to 20000 dollars. The total number of awards and total funding pool are contingent upon available funding and applicant volume. Funds must be used for allowable costs directly related to project implementation, including artist compensation, venue rental, transportation, materials, and limited overhead expenses. However, certain expenses are explicitly prohibited, including food and beverages, fundraising costs, capital improvements, and general administrative expenses unrelated to the project. Importantly, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this grant program. Eligibility requirements differ for individuals and organizations. Individual applicants must be at least 18 years old, be DC residents for at least one year prior to application, maintain residency throughout the grant period, and be in good standing with CAH and District financial obligations. Organizational applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities registered to do business in DC, maintain an active board, and comply with all regulatory requirements. Both applicant types must ensure that their proposed projects are independently operated and fully executed within the District. Additional restrictions apply to ensure that projects are not duplicative of other funded programs or limited solely to youth-focused activities. Applications must be submitted through the CAH online grants portal by 5:00 PM ET on May 22, 2026. Applicants are required to complete narrative sections describing project design, community impact, and implementation plans, along with submitting a detailed budget and supporting documentation. Required materials include work samples, resumes, proof of residency, financial documents, insurance documentation, and site plans where applicable. CAH offers technical assistance, workshops, and optional draft review sessions to support applicants throughout the process. Applications are evaluated through a structured review process conducted by independent panelists. Criteria include artistic merit, organizational capacity, access and engagement, and community impact, with weighted scoring applied across these categories. Projects are reviewed within category-specific tracks (projects, events, or festivals) to ensure fair comparison. Award notifications are expected on or after October 1, 2026, and funded projects must be completed within the performance period spanning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The program is offered annually, with future cycles anticipated in subsequent fiscal years.

Align project clearly with community impact and DC engagement; ensure strong work samples; demonstrate capacity and realistic budgeting; address accessibility and inclusion in project design