Community Grants FAQs

Applications must be submitted online through PGAHC’s Submittable portal. If you’re not yet registered, please sign up at https://www.Submittable.com before submitting your application.

The application deadline for each grant cycle is posted on the grants page of PGAHC website and in the grant application portal. Be sure to check for any updates, as deadlines may vary. We recommend applying well ahead of time to avoid last-minute issues. 

• Individuals: Must reside or have a studio in Prince George’s County for at least six months. Please refer to the specific grant guidelines for additonal eligbility.   

• Organizations: Must be a nonprofit based in Prince George’s County for at least one year. Please refer to the specific grant guidelines for additional eligbility requirements.  

To improve your chances: 

• Ensure your project aligns with PGAHC’s mission and funding priorities. 

• Provide a clear project plan and timeline. 

• Demonstrate the impact of your project on the local community, many applicants lose points because this is not clearly explained.   

• Follow all application instructions carefully and submit all required materials. 

• Attend the information sessions offered by PGAHC to get more insights on the application process. 

The review process is based on several factors, including the project's impact, feasibility, alignment with PGAHC’s goals, and more. To view the review criteria and scoring rubric for each grant, click here. You can also find detailed criteria in the Grant Review Criteria Guidelines document for the particular grant you are interested in. Click here for our community grants. 

Typically, applicants can expect to hear back about their application status within 6-8 weeks of the application deadline. You will receive notification via email regarding whether your application was successful or if additional materials are needed.

• If you are applying as an organization, a UEI number is required. Organizations can obtain a UEI from SAM.gov. Click here for more information on the process. 

• Individual Artists do not need a UEI number.

Yes, PGAHC offers separate funding categories for individuals and organizations: 

• Individuals can apply for Artist Fellowships and Arts in Education (for individual projects). 

• Organizations (nonprofits and educational institutions) can apply for County Arts and Arts in Education (for projects benefiting K-12 students). 

PGAHC funds a wide variety of projects across different disciplines, including: 

• Arts in Education: Arts instruction, artist residencies, in-school performances, and arts integration for K-12 students. 

• Artist Fellowships: New artistic projects a creative endeavor, a creative project in progress, or supports research toward a new creative work.   

• County Arts: Programs that enhance the community’s cultural life through artistic experiences, including visual and performing arts, film, and more. 
  

Please refer to the guidelines for more specific details about project eligibility. 

PGAHC funds projects in many disciplines, including visual and performing arts, music, literary arts, film, heritage preservation, arts education, and multidisciplinary programs. Please refer to the guidelines for additonal clarity. If you have difficulty determining the appropriate category for your project, please contact us for guidance at grants@pgahc.org. 

• Arts in Education: There is no matching requirement for individual applicants, or for applications from Prince George’s County Public Schools 

• County Arts Grants: Nonprofits are required to provide a 1:1 cash match. Some of this match may be in-kind contributions. Please refer to guidelines for details. 

No.  Applicants may only apply for one grant category per cycle. Please review the categories carefully to determine which one best fits your project. Contact PGAHC’s Grants team at grants@pgahc.org if you need assistance.

Yes, previous grantees must comply with all Final Report Requirements for any past funding. You must have submitted your report, or have an approved extension request in place prior to the application deadline. If the reports are incomplete, the new application will be disqualified. 

Upon completing your project, you will need to submit a final report detailing how the funds were used, the outcomes of the project, and the impact it had on the community. Instructions on submitting this report will be provided with your grant agreement.  The report will be available in the portal.  It is crucial when completing the report that you refer to any changes in scope and the objectives and outcomes stated in the grant application.  

Please contact the grants office before submitting to clarify eligibility. You can apply for the next grant cycle, but it will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, if the project is mostly complete, then it is more likely to be approved.

Yes.  The County has a large international community!  Keep in mind that the primary focus of PGAHC’s grants is to support projects and programs that directly benefit Prince George’s County residents. While projects that extend beyond the County are eligible, they must primarily serve County residents and must demonstrate a clear local impact, in addition to a regional or global one. 

Please refer to the specific grant guidelines for additional details on allowable costs. 

Generally, grant funds can cover expenses directly related to your project, such as: 

• Materials and supplies 

• Artist fees or honoraria 

• Venue rental 

• Marketing and promotion 

• Equipment costs 

• Program-related travel expenses 

Yes, each grant category has a funding limit. Please refer to our grants page and the guidelines for each category.

No. PGAHC does not award to fiscal agents.

Please refer to the allowable costs sections for each category as they vary by program.   

Applicants can allow up to 30% of budget for non discretionary costs, which are essential overhead costs to complete the project, such as utilities, insurance, parking fees labor or other maintenance costs, etc.

If you do not use all the grant funds, you may be required to return the unused portion. If your project scope changes and you need to reallocate funds, please contact PGAHC in advance for approval.