Two dancers from Dayton Dance Initative jumping in front of river downtown

SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANT

The Special Projects Grant invests in the creative spirit of Montgomery County by supporting local nonprofits in bringing bold, community-centered arts, culture, and heritage programs to life.Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 project season.

About the Special Projects Grant

The Special Projects Grant is made possible by the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (MCACD), a public fund supporting community-focused arts and cultural initiatives across the region. Designed for nonprofits and community organizations, the program encourages experimentation, collaboration, and meaningful impact throughout Montgomery County, Ohio.

What Types of Projects Are Funded?

• Cultural & Multi-Arts - Festivals, neighborhood events, and projects spanning more than one discipline• Cultural Heritage - Projects that preserve, present, or celebrate regional cultural traditions• Education - In-school residencies, community-based arts education programs• Literary Arts - Projects featuring poets, fiction, and nonfiction authors• Performing Arts - Theater, dance, music, opera, and musical theater productions• Visual Arts - Exhibitions, public art installations, and projects in all mediums

Woman painting at an an arts festival

Who Should Apply?

This grant is open to organizations with projects that serve the Montgomery County community. Eligible applicants include:• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, or unincorporated groups applying with a qualified 501(c)(3) fiscal agent• Colleges, universities, K–12 schools, municipalities, and government agencies (must demonstrate a 1:1 cash match and meaningful community outreach beyond their own populations)• Projects in arts, culture, heritage, literary, performing arts, or visual arts serving Montgomery County, Ohio• Projects taking place on or after July 1, 2026 and ending by December 31, 2027Not sure if your project qualifies? Review the full program guidelines or join us at an information session.

Funding + Timeline at a Glance

Special Projects Grant Period: 2026–2027:
• Approximately 15-25 Projects Funded
• Awards up to $15k, based on project needTimeline:
• Applications Open: March 20, 2026
• Info Session: April 1, 2026 at 6:00 pm EST*
• Info Session: April 13, 2026 at 6:00 pm EST*
• Applications Due: May 1, 2026 @ 4:00 pm EST
• Awards Notified: June 2026
• Projects Start: July 1, 2026
• Grant Cycle Ends: December 31, 2027***Information sessions are optional but encouraged. They will be recorded and added to this website for reference.**This is a one-time 18-month transition cycle

Group of young children working on a mosaic project on a table
Vandalia Youth Theatre Company cast in costume, on stage, and smiling for audience

How to apply

We want the application process to feel straightforward, not stressful. Here's what to expect:• Review the Grant Guidelines to confirm your project and organization are eligible• Complete the eligibility questions at the start of the application (takes just a few minutes!)• Describe your project: what you're creating, who it's for, and why it matters to the community• Complete the budget form included in the application• Gather your supporting documents (IRS letter, resumes, work samples, letters of support)• Submit everything through e-CImpact by the deadline and we'll take it from there (see link below)

questions?

Have questions about eligibility or the application process?
We encourage you to review the Program's Full Guidelines, FAQs below and/or sign up for one of the informational sessions. If you still have questions, please email us: [email protected]

ADMINISTERED BY VENUS CHILD PRODUCTIONS FOR MCACD - COPYRIGHT 2026

Past Special Grants Projects

The Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District launched the Special Projects Grant in 2020. Since then, the program has funded arts and cultural projects across the county, from festivals and public murals to artist residencies and community performances. Below are some of the past grant recipients:

• African American Visual Artists Guild
• Art Parkd
• Bach Society of Dayton
• Belmont Eastmont Hearthstone Community Council
• Beyond Vision Art
• The Blue House Arts
• Boundless Community Pathways – Spire Arts
• British Transportation Museum
• Centerville Community Band
• Chosen Outreach Ministries
• City of Germantown
• City of Huber Heights
• City of Kettering
• City of Vandalia
• Citywide Neighborhood Development Corporation
• Co-op Dayton
• Dare to Defy Productions
• Dayton Dance Conservatory Company
• Dayton Dance Initiative
• Dayton Fellowship Club Inc.
• Dayton International Peace Museum
• Dayton Liederkranz-Turners, Inc.
• Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation
• Dayton Metro Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society
• Dayton Metro Library
• Dayton Metro Library Foundation
• Dayton Playhouse
• The Dayton Printmakers Cooperative
• Dayton Society of Artists
• Dayton Society of Natural History
• Dayton View Triangle Federation, Inc.
• Downtown Dayton Partnership
• FilmDayton
• Friends of the Living Center
• Front Street Global Artists Initiative
• Gem City Chorus
• GEM Project Dayton
• The Greater Dayton LGBT Center
• Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton
• The Journalism Lab
• Mad River Local Schools – Brantwood Elementary
• Magnolia Theatre Company
• Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra
• Miracle Clubhouse
• Montgomery County ADAMHS Board / Montgomery County Prevention Coalition
• The Mosaic Institute of Greater Dayton
• MUSICA
• Old North Dayton Neighborhood Association
• Oral Funk Poetry Productions
• Plaza Theatre Association
• Preservation Dayton, Inc.
• Puerto Rican American and Caribbean Organization
• Rosewood Arts Centre, City of Kettering
• Salem Avenue Business Association
• Shakespeare in South Park
• Signature Educational Solutions
• South Dayton Dance Theatre
• Temple Israel
• TheatreLab Dayton
• Trotwood Madison City School District
• University of Dayton
• Vandalia Youth Theatre Company
• Washington Township RecPlex Town Hall Theatre
• Washington-Centerville Public Library
• We Care Arts
• Wright-Dunbar Village Neighborhood Association
• WYSO Public Radio
• Yellow Brick Theater
• YMCA of Greater Dayton
• YWCA Dayton

Montgomery County Logo

SPECIAL PROJECTS GRANT
FAQ

ELIGIBILITY

Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, K–12 schools, municipalities, and government agencies. Unincorporated groups may apply with a qualified 501(c)(3) fiscal agent. All applicants must have projects that serve the Montgomery County, Ohio community.Can I apply if my organization is not a nonprofit?
Yes — if your organization is not a 501(c)(3), you may apply with a qualified nonprofit fiscal agent. The fiscal agent receives and administers the grant funds on your behalf. A signed fiscal agent agreement will be required before any funds are released.Can I apply if I've received this grant before?
Yes, previous recipients are eligible to apply as long as your organization is in good standing and has submitted all required final reports from prior grant cycles. Organizations with outstanding compliance issues are not eligible until compliance is restored.Are organizations that receive General Operating Support (GOS) from MCACD eligible?
No. Organizations currently receiving MCACD General Operating Support — and their auxiliary groups — are not eligible for the Special Projects Grant.Does my project have to take place in Montgomery County?
Your organization does not have to be based in Montgomery County, but your project must serve the Montgomery County community. Projects must take place on or after July 1, 2026 and conclude by December 31, 2027.

FUNDING

How much can I request?
Awards are up to $15,000, based on project need. The panel does not automatically award the maximum — your request should reflect your actual project costs.What can grant funds be used for?
Grant funds can support direct project expenses, including artist fees, contracted services, materials and supplies, equipment rental, venue costs, marketing and promotion, and travel. Funds may not be used for ongoing operating costs, capital improvements, religious activities, political advocacy, or revenue replacement.Can I include food or catering costs?
Food and beverage costs are eligible only when they are a direct and essential component of the project itself — for example, a cultural heritage festival where food is central to the programming. Hospitality, receptions, and general catering are not eligible.Are there restrictions on how much I can pay contracted artists?
No specific cap, but all contracted payments over $2,000 will result in a 1099-NEC from the Dayton Foundation, which serves as the fiscal agent for disbursements. Plan accordingly when budgeting artist fees.Do institutional applicants have any additional requirements?
Yes. Colleges, universities, K–12 schools, municipalities, and government agencies must demonstrate a 1:1 cash match — MCACD grant funds may not exceed 50% of the total project budget. Institutional applicants must also show meaningful community involvement beyond their own students, faculty, staff, or employees.

THE APPLICATION

When is the application deadline?
Applications are due Friday, May 1, 2026 by 4:00 PM EST. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.Where do I submit my application?
All applications must be submitted online through e-CImpact at specialprojectsgrant.com. Paper or emailed applications will not be accepted.What documents do I need to submit?
Required documents include your IRS Letter of Determination (or your fiscal agent's), resumes or bios for key project personnel, marketing material examples, and artistic work samples. A signed fiscal agent agreement is required if you are applying with a fiscal agent. Letters of commitment from key artists and letters of support from project partners are optional but strongly encouraged.Can I apply for more than one project?
Each organization may submit one application per grant cycle.What if I'm not sure whether my project qualifies?
Start with the eligibility questions at the beginning of the application — they're designed to quickly tell you whether your project is a fit. You can also review the Full Guidelines or attend one of our optional information sessions.

THE REVIEW PROCESS

How are applications reviewed?
All eligible applications are reviewed by a volunteer panel of arts and community professionals. Applications are scored on a 100-point scale across three categories: Project Quality & Artistic Vibrancy, Community Impact & Engagement, and Ability to Complete & Manage the Project.What makes a strong application?
Strong applications are specific, realistic, and community-centered. Panelists look for a clear project vision, a credible timeline, demonstrated organizational capacity, and a meaningful connection to the Montgomery County community. Vague or generic responses score lower.When will I hear about my application?
Award decisions will be communicated in June 2026.What happens if I receive less than I requested?
The panel may award a partial amount. Your application includes a question asking how you would adapt the project if funded at a lower level. A strong answer demonstrates flexibility and planning.

INFORMATION SESSIONS

What are information sessions?
Information sessions are optional, free Q&A sessions where you can learn more about the program, ask questions, and get guidance on the application process. They are not required to apply.When are the information sessions?
Sessions are scheduled for April 1 and April 13, 2026, both at 6:00 pm EST. Please register to attend (links to come). Both sessions will be recorded and posted to this website for reference.Register for information sessions at links below:

Still have questions? Email us at [email protected] — we're happy to help.