📢 Labor Day Holiday Closure Announcement

 Published: September 2, 2026

Dear CUPF Community, 

In observance of Labor Day, a recognized Montgomery County Government holiday, our offices will be closed on Monday, September 7, 2026.

Additional closure info:

• Due to MCPS being closed in observance of Labor Day, there will be no community use activities in MCPS facilities on Monday, September 7. Please note, families are encouraged to check directly with their childcare provider for site-specific operating status.

• There will be no community use activities at Montgomery County Government facilities on Monday, September 7. For more information about Montgomery County Holiday Schedule for Labor Day, click here.

• Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) will be closed Monday, September 7. Please refer to MCPL website for all updates.

• The Silver Spring Civic Building at Veterans Plaza will remain open exclusively for existing reservations.

Regular office hours and services will resume on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. We wish our community, customers, and partners a safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday!

Thank you, and have a wonderful holiday!

🗓️Save the Date | October 12, Opening Day Reservations ✨Public Library Meeting Rooms✨

Published: August 31, 2026

Opening Day Reservations | Public Library Meeting Rooms

Monday, October 12, 2026, is opening day to request Montgomery County Public Libraries (MCPL) Meeting Rooms for dates of use: January 1 through June 30. It all begins online at 6:30 a.m.

Reservation Information

• Visit www.ActiveMONTGOMERY.org to reserve space for your activities!
• Groups are restricted to only two uses per month at the same facility.
• All meetings must be free and open to the public. Private events such as birthday parties, weddings, receptions, etc. are not permitted in libraries.
• Light snacks and beverages are permitted in the meeting room only; meals and heated foods are not allowed.
• No videotaping, photography, filming, or recording is permitted within the library.
• Room use fees are waived.
• Hourly staff costs, such as building services and security, may apply.

For additional information, go to Community Use of Public Facilities | Public Library Reservations.

Reservation Process Using ActiveMONTGOMERY:

Here's how to request a public library meeting room for an activity.

Step 1: After signing into ActiveMONTGOMERY.org, select the "Reserve a Facility or Space" thumbnail. 

Step 2: On the next page, select the "Meeting Rooms" thumbnail.

Step 3: The final step on the next page will include, selecting the "Library Meeting Rooms" thumbnail.

     

Helpful Hints to Prepare

• Ensure that your account for the NEW ActiveMONTGOMERY.org software is active with a current login and password. Read more...
• Organizations should ensure that the account login and password is available to whomever in the organization has been given the authority to reserve public facilities on their behalf.
• Only a single member of each organization can be logged into the organizational account at one time in order to reserve facilities.
• Individual / personal accounts may not make facility reservations on behalf of an organization.

Have Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please call CUPF Customer Care at 240-777-2725, or send an email to CUPF at: cupf@montgomerycountymd.gov

Thank You

Thank you for using public facilities for community events and activities!

🔥Streamlined Process for Large Events and Auditorium Use | What You Need to Know

Published: August 20, 2026

Dear CUPF Community, 

We have received very helpful feedback from user groups regarding our process for large events. As a result, we have worked diligently over the last few months to improve the customer experience by reducing the requirements and streamlining the application process. An announcement was made previously and user group feedback related to the improved process has been very positive! Below, we just want to break it down a little bit more in an effort to provide additional clarity. 

Auditorium Use Overview

Auditorium Use is considered a high-volume use type, regardless of the number of repetitive bookings or attendees for any given event. This is due to the extensive amount of planning and coordination of various staff that must occur for a community user group to successfully hold activities in a school auditorium. These complexities create the need for CUPF to have a minimum of 45 days advance notice for reservations. Auditorium use my be requested during specialized scheduling timeframes, as described in the User Guidebook.

Note that the reservation process was recently streamlined and placed online at www.ActiveMONTGOMERY.org based upon customer feedback. CUPF is committed to continuous improvements in the process with use of improved technology being the driving factor.

Large Event Overview

Large Events are reservations expecting a large crowd of people or using an extraordinarily large number of rooms. These events require additional staffing as well but are not always utilizing an auditorium. Often, such events take place in cafeterias, classrooms, gymnasiums, and artificial turf stadiums. Previously, use of this nature also required 45 days' notice and followed the same process as auditorium use.

Note that the information above and related process was recently combined with general public/routine use to eliminate lead time, process steps, and wait time. Groups may now schedule facilities online during the general public/routine use submission process, regardless of number of attendees. Note that all reservations are reviewed for size and scope. CUPF adds staff charges such as security, audio-visual technicians, building services, etc. to reservations as necessary to make sure that all events run smoothly. 

Key Differences

Auditorium Use:

• Must request at least 45 days in advance; however, groups are encouraged to request space/event as far in advance as possible.
• Special scheduling timeframes throughout the year.
• $250 application fee due at requesting, balance due upon approval or payment plan can be arranged with CUPF finance department.
• Unique cancellation and amendment policy.
• Cancellations for Auditorium use have a tiered fee, with the fee being directly tied how far in advance the cancellation is made.
• Groups are given the ability to reschedule once within a 30-day period of the event.

Large Event / General Public Use / Routine Use:

• Must request online at least 7 days in advance; however, it is possible that the reservation may be canceled if staff are not available on short notice.
• Must adhere to the General Public Use scheduling timeframes.
• Facility payment due in full at time of reservation; payment for additional staff costs added is due immediately upon notification.

Key Commonalities

• Both can take place in MCPS facilities.
• Both require a Certificate of Insurance as described in the Facility Use License Agreement.
• Both require a CPR and Crowd Management certified individual be on site during use.
• Both are subject to staff availability at any given school site.
• Both require user groups to have up to date contact information on their ActiveMONTGOMERY account such as email and phone number since CUPF staff will be in regular contact with the user group(s) throughout the planning and finalization process.
• Boths must comply with the reservation, User Guidebook, and Facility Use License Agreement.

Thank you!

Thank you for using public facilities for your community events and activities. Please reach out to our team of professionals with any questions you may have. Click here to contact CUPF Customer Care—We Are Here to Help!

Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF)

🎉BIG NEWS, MONTGOMERY COUNTY! The Facility Fee Assistance Program (FFAP) is NOW OPEN!

 Published: August 4, 2026

Dear Community Partners,

✨ Have a program that brings people together?

🏀 Inspire youth.

📚 Support learning.

🎭 Celebrate culture.

❤️ Build stronger communities.

CUPF is excited to help eligible organizations reduce facility rental costs so you can continue creating opportunities that make Montgomery County extraordinary.

💙 Apply Today 
💙 Funding is Limited 
💙 Applications Reviewed on a Rolling Basis

Want to learn more about FFAP?

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/community-use-public-facilities/programs/facility-fee-assistance-program-ffap

Start Your Application

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/community-use-public-facility-subsidy-form

Building Community. Creating Opportunity. Supporting What Matters Most.

Thank you for using public facilities for community events and activities!

🎉Now Open! August 10, Opening Day Reservations ✨Indoor School Facilities✨

  Published: July 10, 2026

Opening Day Reservations | Indoor School Facilities

Dear CUPF Community,

Monday, August 10, 2026, is opening day to request use of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Indoor School Facilities. 

Included in indoor reservations are Cafeterias, Auditoriums, Gymnasiums, Classrooms, and other indoor facilities for dates of use during the upcoming MCPS School Year. It all begins online at ⏰6:30 a.m.

Reservation Process Using ActiveMONTGOMERY:

Here's how to request an indoor school facility for an event:

Step 1: After signing into ActiveMONTGOMERY.org, select the "Reserve a Facility or Space" thumbnail. 

Step 2: On the next page, a user can select different indoor school facility options for reservation. This includes "Cafeteria," "Auditoriums," "Gymnasiums," and "Classrooms" thumbnails.

Step 3: Important reminder, selecting the "Auditoriums" thumbnail will take the user to another page that will allow the user to select the "MCPS Auditoriums" thumbnail.

Step 4: Another note, selecting the "Classrooms" thumbnail will take the user to another page that will allow the user to select various school classroom thumbnails.

Step 5: Lastly, selecting the "Gymnasium" thumbnail will take the user to another page that will allow the user to select the "School Gyms" thumbnail.

After selecting the preferred school facility thumbnail, the user will gain access to additional information that will help them complete an online reservation form that will be reviewed by CUPF staff. Once submitted through the ActiveMONTGOMERY portal, a follow-up email will be provided notifying the user that their online reservation request is under review.

Visit www.ActiveMONTGOMERY.org to reserve an outdoor school facility for your next community event!

Helpful Hints to Prepare

• Ensure that your account for ActiveMONTGOMERY.org is active with a current login and password. Read more...
• Organizations should ensure that the account login and password is available to whomever in the organization has been given the authority to reserve public facilities on their behalf.
• Individual / personal accounts may not make facility reservations on behalf of an organization.
• Payment is due at the time of the reservation.
• Auditorium requests are subject to review and typically have a 5-15 business day lead time, depending on the school(s) being requested. Please be thorough in your application.
• A final approval and "firm" contract are required prior to an advertisement by the group for the event. This final "firm" contract will be sent to the main email on file for the account requesting the space. 

School Facility Use is subject to additional fees such as staffing, clean up and set up as well as security. Your initial payment of $250 is applied towards this balance. 

Have Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns, please call CUPF Customer Service at 240-777-2725, or send an email to CUPF at: cupf@montgomerycountymd.gov

Thank You

Thank you for using public facilities for community events and activities!

Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF)

🚨Exciting things ahead in FY27!

 Published: May 14, 2026

Updated: July 1, 2026

Dear CUPF community,

As part of our ongoing commitment to maintaining top-notch community spaces, CUPF will be adjusting facility fees. We believe this will help us continue offering vibrant, accessible spaces for all. Curious about what's changing? 

Check out the charts in this post for a clear look at the upcoming fee structures, and the effective dates. We're here to make space for what matters—your ideas, your events, your connections.

MCPS - Fees effective August 24, 2026

📰Fee adjustments for the athletic fields, parking lots and tennis courts will go into effect August 15th, 2026.

SSCB - Fees to be effective July 1, 2026

The Interagency Coordinating Board (ICB) determines and approves all facility use permitting fees for Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF). Note that fees apply for ALL the time a facility is occupied, including time needed for set-up, clean-up, and participants' vacating of the premises.

Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF)

Montgomery County Government, Maryland

Online: www.MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/CUPF

Email: CUPF@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov

Phone: 240-777-2725

From the Office to the Airwaves | Celebrating Our Staff Being Featured on🎙️Montgomery al Día🎙️

 Published: March 30, 2026

Dear CUPF Community,

We're excited to share a recent outreach effort focused on connecting with our Spanish-speaking community members. 

Several of our team were featured on Montgomery al Día, a Spanish-language program that shares County resources and information with Montgomery County's growing Hispanic community. 

In this episode, Director Genel Burwell, Miguel Lozada, and Eduardo Fuentes discuss CUPF's work and walk through the facility reservation process-all in Spanish to help expand access and understanding.

Thank you to Lorna Virgili and the Montgomery al Día team for the opportunity share our story.

-----------------

Estimados miembros de la comunidad de CUPF,

Nos complace compartir un reciente esfuerzo de alcance enfocado en conectar con nuestra comunidad hispanohablante. Varios miembros de nuestro equipo participaron en Montgomery al Día, un programa en español que comparte recursos e información del Condado con la creciente comunidad hispana del Condado de Montgomery.

En este episodio, la Directora Genel Burwell, Miguel Lozada y Eduardo Fuentes presentan el trabajo de CUPF y explican el proceso de reservación de instalaciones—todo en español para ampliar el acceso y la comprensión de nuestros servicios.

Agradecemos a Lorna Virgili y al equipo de Montgomery al Día por la oportunidad de compartir nuestra historia.

-----------------

Click here to watch: Episode 656 - March 17, 2026

Top (L) Lorna V., Top (R) Genel B., Bottom (L) Eduardo F., Bottom (R) Miguel L.

🎙️Montgomery al Día🎙️

Montgomery al Día is a show hosted by Lorna Virgili. The show includes interviews, news, PSAs, and public call-ins. Also included are County government departments, County Council, and collaboration from other County agencies to bring guests, news, and information to the County's fast growing Hispanic community. 

County Podcast are presented by County Cable Montgomery. Click Montgomery County Government Podcast Directory to listen to podcast produced by various County departments.

Sign Up Today!

Now Live: CUPF Alerts & Notifications

Stay informed and connected with the Office of Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) through two new notification tools:

·        🔔 Alert Montgomery 

·        📧 GovDelivery Notifications

These free, subscription-based services deliver important CUPF updates straight to your phone and/or email, including:

• Weather-related closures and alerts
• Facility and program updates
• Meeting notices and announcements
• News and community information

You choose the topics that matter most to you and how you’d like to receive updates—text, email, or both.

------------- Sign Up Today -------------

🔔 Alert Montgomery

Alert Montgomery (Select 🠊 Community Use of Public Facilities)

📧 GovDelivery Notifications

GovDelivery (Select 🠊 Community Use of Public Facilities)

Stay connected. Stay informed. Stay ready with CUPF.

Community Use of Public Facilities 

🚨Big News!🚨| We've made some exciting updates to our 2026 Opening Day "Go Live" Reservation Dates 📅

 Published: November 24, 2025

Updated: July 1, 2026

The Office of Community Use of Public Facilities (CUPF) is pleased to announce several updates to our 2026 reservation process. We wanted to let you know that our reservation dates have been adjusted to better accommodate everyone's schedules and ensure a smoother experience for all.

In the past, opening day reservation dates that fell on a weekend often brought larger online crowds, which can overwhelm our systems. Launching our opening reservation dates on a weekday gives staff a chance to identify and resolve any issues. 

New 2026 Opening Day Reservation Dates

🗓️ February 9, 2026 (2nd Monday in February)

• Opening day to request school auditoriums for dates of use during the upcoming MCPS Summer Break. 
• Opening day to reserve athletic fields and other outdoor facilities (e.g. school tennis courts and parking lots) for dates of use March 15 through August 15.

🗓️ April 13, 2026 (2nd Monday in April)

• Opening day to reserve library meeting rooms for dates of use July 1 through December 31.

🗓️ May 4, 2026 (1st Monday in May)

• Opening day to request school auditoriums for dates of use during the upcoming MCPS School Year.
• Opening day to reserve indoor school facilities (e.g. gymnasiums, cafeterias, classrooms) for dates of use during the upcoming MCPS Summer Break. 
• Opening day to reserve government building meeting rooms for dates of use July 1 through December 31.

🗓️ July 13, 2026 (2nd Monday in July)

• Opening day to reserve athletic fields and other outdoor facilities (e.g. school tennis courts and parking lots) for dates of use August 16 through November 30.

🗓️ August 10, 2026 (2nd Monday in August)

• Opening day to reserve indoor school facilities (e.g. gymnasiums, cafeterias, classrooms) for dates of use during the upcoming MCPS School Year.

🗓️ October 12, 2026 (2nd Monday in October)

• Opening day to reserve library meeting rooms for dates of use January 1 through June 30.

🗓️ November 2, 2026 (1st Monday in November)

• Opening day to request "artificial turf" athletic fields and other outdoor facilities (e.g. school tennis courts and parking lots) for dates of use December 1 through March 14. 
• Opening day to reserve government building meeting rooms for dates of use January 1 through June 30.

We're grateful for your continued support and patience as we prepare for the upcoming changes to our opening reservation dates in 2026. 

Thank you

Thank you for using public facilities for community events and activities! Please reach out to our team of professionals with any questions you may have. Click here to contact CUPF Customer Care—We Are Here to Help!