General Operating Support Grant Program

The General Operating Support (GOS) Grant Program is administered by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), the official arts agency for Washington, DC. CAH operates as an independent agency within the District of Columbia government and receives funding from both the District government and the National Endowment for the Arts. The GOS program provides general operating support to nonprofit organizations whose core mission centers on the arts, humanities, or arts education. The grant is structured to reinforce the city’s cultural landscape by offering financial assistance that sustains the essential functions of organizations committed to these fields. Eligible applicants must be incorporated nonprofits with federal 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and must be authorized to operate in the District of Columbia. More than 51% of their past year’s cash expenses and programmatic activity must support arts, humanities, and/or arts education. Applicants must also show that at least 51% of their activities take place within the District, and 100% of awarded funds must be used for DC-based programming and personnel. Additionally, grantees must demonstrate inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (I.D.E.A.) principles in their governance, staffing, programming, and community outreach. Organizations apply under one of three categories: Generalists (focused on presenting/producing arts experiences), Service Organizations (offering technical and professional services to arts organizations), and Capacity Building (supporting smaller, newer organizations not previously funded by CAH). Award amounts are determined by an organization's total cash expenses for DC-based programming from the most recent fiscal year, as evidenced by IRS Form 990, and may be increased mid-year based on funding availability. GOS grants cover allowable costs such as staff salaries, consulting fees, travel, supplies, program administration, and indirect costs. A portion of the award may be used to establish or expand a board-approved operating reserve fund, though unallowable costs include food, tuition, fundraising expenses, and funding to governmental entities or fiscal agents. The funding period runs from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026. Applications were released on March 11, 2025, with a regular submission deadline of April 22, 2025 at 10:00 PM ET, and an optional 2-Year Continuation deadline on May 6, 2025. The submission process is managed through CAH’s online grant portal. Incomplete or late applications are ineligible. Required documents include IRS 990 forms, financial statements, insurance certificates, and other compliance materials. Evaluations are conducted by independent panelists based on criteria such as District impact, equity, organizational management, and content quality. Award notifications will be sent on or after October 1, 2025. Reporting requirements vary based on the award amount, and all expenses must occur within the FY 2026 grant period. Contact information for the program includes Terrell Johnson (terrell.johnson@dc.gov) and Kerry Kaleba (kerry.kaleba@dc.gov). The program is recurring, with the next cycle anticipated in Spring 2026, and applicants are encouraged to maintain compliance for eligibility in future years.

Ensure all required financial and compliance documents are uploaded and match portal records. Submit early to allow for CAH staff review and corrections if needed.