Commission reports 520 FY26 grant applications; staff expands applicant support

Gretchen Moore, chair of the grants committee, told the Commission on April 21 that CEH had received 520 total applications across its FY26 grant lines as of the meeting. "Total applications to date ... for a total of 520 applications," Moore said.

Moore and grants staff emphasized applicant support measures aimed at reducing administrative errors and improving applicant readiness. The agency has expanded workshops, held town halls, offered on-site office hours, piloted Saturday office hours and produced instructional videos on routine but frequently incorrect items such as completing W-9s and obtaining DC "clean hands" documentation.

CEH listed program-specific counts during the meeting: general operating support (GOS) core categories including 98 for one GOS line, 13 for another, 26 for capacity building, 95 for two-year grants; individual applications 187; organizational project/festival applications 58; East Arts 43. Moore said that last year the agency closed with 515 applications, so this year—s total was slightly higher.

CEH staff also announced the opening windows for FY26 competitions: Arts and Humanities Education Projects, Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program, field trip experiences and capital projects will open May 12; specific closing windows and RFA dates were posted on the agency website. Staff told commissioners that branch managers will remain available until 10 p.m. on the April 22 closing for current cycles.

The grants team emphasized tools intended to reduce administrative rejections, including four completed instructional videos, more in production, and direct branch manager support. "These individuals, often influential and curious, could become mentors," Moore said when describing staff efforts to connect grantees and applicants to broader opportunities.

CEH advised applicants to consult resourcesforgrants@dcarts.dc.gov and the agency website for deadlines and help.