Best Grants for Community Service Projects in Arkansas

The Blue & You Foundation Mini Grant program supports Arkansas-based organizations addressing health disparities through community-focused initiatives. Grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 are available for projects targeting emergency medical equipment, maternal and pediatric health, food pantry support, and school health initiatives. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, schools, and governmental agencies. This funding aims to enhance health outcomes and foster collaboration among community partners, contributing to a healthier Arkansas.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation's Strategic Initiative Grants aim to enhance oral health equity for underserved populations in Arkansas. By funding innovative projects, the foundation seeks to empower communities, improve access to dental care, and promote systemic change. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and charitable organizations focused on addressing oral health disparities. The grants encourage collaborative efforts that demonstrate financial stability and a clear project plan, supporting initiatives that can be replicated for broader impact.

The Ted & Shannon Skokos Foundation Grant, established in 2008, supports nonprofit organizations in arts, education, humanity, and faith. It prioritizes visionary leadership, community impact, sustainability, organizational strength, and collaboration. The foundation seeks to fund eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofits that align with its mission and positively influence communities, particularly in Dallas, Texas, and Arkansas, where the founders have personal connections.

The T.L.L. Temple Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in East Texas by addressing poverty through targeted grants in education, health, economic development, and community revitalization. With a focus on marginalized communities, the foundation aims to break the cycle of poverty by improving access to essential resources and opportunities. By investing in health care, educational programs, and economic initiatives, they strive to foster thriving communities and promote sustainable growth in the region.

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis Grant supports nonprofit organizations in improving community health, education, social justice, cultural enrichment, and capacity building. Grants are available for organizations in specific Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi counties, with eligibility focused on tax-exempt entities. Applications are accepted quarterly, with specific deadlines for different focus areas. The foundation seeks innovative ideas that align with its philanthropic mission and encourages organizations to apply for funding that promotes positive community transformation.

The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Mini Grants support innovative community-based oral health initiatives across Arkansas. With grants up to $2,500, eligible non-profits can implement projects focused on providing oral health supplies, education, prevention, and treatment services. Applications are accepted year-round and evaluated bi-monthly, ensuring timely funding for impactful solutions in oral health. This initiative aims to enhance oral health awareness and access to care in local communities.

Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Division of Rural Services and the Arkansas Rural Development Commission

The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC), Division of Rural Services (DRS), is charged with assisting rural communities with a population of 20,000 and under. Established under Act 302 of 1991, and merged with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission under Act 8 of the 2015 First Extraordinary Session, DRS assists local agencies in rural areas with information and technical assistance. Currently, more than 80% of Arkansans live in rural areas.

The Arkansas Rural Development Commission (ARDC) is a group of citizens from rural Arkansas responsible for overseeing the programs of DRS. Seven of its members are appointed by the Governor, two are appointed by the Senate President Pro-Tem, and two are appointed by the Speaker of the House. Commissioners serve multiple-year terms and meet throughout the year to discuss rural issues that affect Arkansans.

The mission of these two groups is to "Enhance the quality of life in rural Arkansas."

One focus of the Division of Rural Services is to be a source of information for rural citizens and provide support services to rural communities. DRS publishes a quarterly newsletter that covers rural policies and topics. The Division also hosts an annual conference and local forums around the state throughout the course of the year.

DRS provides funding for worthwhile projects in rural communities through a variety of grant programs. One such program is the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program (RCGP). Since this grant's inception, more than $12 million has been awarded to communities in all 75 counties.

Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program

General Information and Eligibility

Through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program (RCGP), the Arkansas Rural Development Commission and the Division of Rural Services strive to enhance quality of life in the state by providing incentive grants on a matching basis. The Rural Community Grant Program can assist with the improvement of local fire protection, including related emergency services and construction, along with the development and improvement of community facilities.

What Type of Projects are Eligible

Projects eligible for funding consideration under the Rural Community Grant Program include, but are not limited to:

• Renovations, new construction or additions to publicly owned buildings such as civic or community centers, senior or youth centers, libraries, museums, and etc.
• Renovations, new construction, new equipment, or additions to parks and other publicly owned recreational facilities such as baseball or softball fields, landscape or beautification projects, park and picnic areas, jogging/walking trails, and etc.
• Purchase of storm sirens or construction of publicly owned storm shelters accessible to the citizens of the entire community.
• Renovations, new construction, or additions to fire facilities.
• The purchase of fire protection equipment and vehicles.
• The rehabilitation and/or retrofitting of newly acquired equipment and vehicles.

The FUN Park Grants, managed by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, aim to enhance local outdoor recreation facilities for small communities with populations of 7,500 or less. Grants can provide up to $100,000, with a focus on projects like playgrounds, sports courts, and pavilions. Emphasizing accessibility, these grants prioritize projects that balance active and passive recreation, ensuring they cater to all community members while adhering to ADA guidelines.

The AIE Lifelong Learning Veteran's Projects Grant, managed by the Division of Arkansas Heritage, supports veterans through engaging arts programs. This initiative provides funding up to $2,000 for short-term residencies with professional artists, focusing on hands-on activities within community organizations. Eligible applicants include nonprofits serving veterans and educational institutions. By fostering artistic experiences, the grant aims to enrich veterans' lives and enhance their connection to the arts, ultimately benefiting the broader community in Arkansas.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.

The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation’s Community Grant program aims to enhance oral health across Arkansas by supporting nonprofit organizations and community initiatives focused on education and access to dental care for underserved populations. Since its inception in 2008, the program has prioritized projects that provide preventive and treatment services, ensuring equitable access to oral health resources for individuals of all ages and backgrounds in need.

The DDAF Oral Health Education Grants aim to enhance oral health awareness among underserved Arkansas residents through community partnerships. By funding innovative educational programs, the initiative promotes essential habits like brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. Grants range from $2,500 to $30,000, prioritizing projects that demonstrate a clear oral health focus, collaboration, and inclusion of diverse communities. This effort seeks to prevent severe oral health issues and improve overall community well-being.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis offers Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants to enhance the organizational health of nonprofits in the Mid-South. These one-time financial grants, averaging $15,000 with a total of $210,000 available, are for projects that improve governance and management, rather than direct programming. Organizations must raise matching funds dollar-for-dollar to leverage additional resources. Eligibility requires a reviewed profile on LIVEGIVEmidsouth.org and meeting specific operational criteria.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Arkansas provides essential funding to develop vital community facilities in rural areas, benefiting populations of 20,000 or fewer. Eligible applicants include public bodies, non-profits, and federally recognized tribes. Grant assistance, which can cover up to 75% of project costs, supports the purchase, construction, and improvement of facilities such as healthcare centers, public safety buildings, and community support services. Year-round applications are welcomed for projects aimed at enhancing rural community infrastructure.

The National Trust Preservation Funds provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support local preservation projects and ongoing work. These funds aim to enhance community engagement in preservation, foster technical expertise, and stimulate financial participation from the private sector. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on planning and education efforts related to preservation. The program is particularly interested in initiatives that reach new audiences and further the preservation movement.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

The Tree Campus Higher Education Program promotes the importance of trees and green spaces on college campuses, enhancing the livability and health of these environments. By meeting specific criteria, institutions can gain national recognition while fostering community pride and involvement. This initiative not only supports sustainability but also provides mental health benefits and educational opportunities for students through service-learning projects. Participating schools can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and community well-being.

The Papé Family Foundation seeks to positively impact communities where its members reside, emphasizing family unity, service, and stewardship. It funds small capital projects, building improvements, equipment needs, and operational requests for new programs (under two years old) but does not cover salaries. Eligible organizations must be within 50 miles of trustee-residing cities, including locations in Arkansas, California, Idaho, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.

The Historic Preservation Restoration Grant, provided by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, supports the restoration of properties listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places and cemeteries on the National Register. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000, requiring a cash match for funding. The program emphasizes maintaining historical integrity and promotes community engagement through revitalization efforts, ensuring that Arkansas's cultural heritage is preserved for future generations.

The AIE After-School/Summer Residency Grant, administered by the Arkansas Arts Council, supports professional artists in residencies outside traditional school settings. This initiative promotes artistic excellence and equitable access to the arts for all Arkansans, particularly through after-school and summer programs. It aims to enhance community cultural development while providing valuable educational experiences for pre K–12 students. Funding is available for contracted administrative or artistic expenses to ensure impactful arts education.

The AIE Arts Curriculum Project, funded by the Arkansas Heritage, aims to enhance arts education in schools across Arkansas. By providing mini-grants, the project supports initiatives that integrate arts into curricula, fostering creativity and innovation among students. The Arkansas Arts Council, established in 1966, ensures that local artists engage with students, promoting equitable access to arts education. This initiative not only enriches the educational landscape but also strengthens community ties through cultural engagement.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation

Arkansas Access to Justice exists to uphold a basic but essential principle: Arkansans deserve access to the legal help they need, no matter their income or background.

We work alongside partners, policymakers, courts, and communities to make the civil legal system more fair and accessible. Whether it’s through improving public policies, strengthening legal aid resources, supporting pro bono programs, or building tools for self-represented litigants, we are committed to bridging the divide between those who can afford legal help and those who cannot.

Administration of Justice Grants

Grants in this category support Specific Projects that advance systemic improvements to Arkansas’s civil justice system and promote meaningful, statewide access to justice. Priority will be given to initiatives that generate data, research, analysis, or tested models intended to inform changes to court rules, statutes, policies, or administrative practices affecting access to civil justice.

• Empirical studies or evaluations examining the impact of court rules or practices on case outcomes, efficiency, or fairness;
• Pilot projects testing innovative court-based or cross-sector approaches—such as simplified procedures, alternative service models, remote participation, or triage systems—that are designed to produce findings scalable at a statewide level;
• Development of model rules, forms, or administrative policies intended to reduce unnecessary complexity, improve consistency across jurisdictions, or increase usability for self-represented litigants.

Projects in this category must demonstrate the potential for statewide impact and must produce concrete outputs, such as written reports, data sets, evaluative findings, model rules or policies, or formal recommendations for reform. Examples of specific administration of justice projects are:

• A pilot introducing plain-language pleadings and guided forms in debt collection cases, measuring effects on default rates and case resolution to inform statewide adoption.
• A project to research and develop a standardized framework for secure online publication of warning orders.
• A project that implements court date text reminders and collects data on the text reminders’ impact on failure to appear rates.

The Rural Business Development Grants in Arkansas provide essential funding and support for small rural businesses, aiming to enhance economic growth in under-served areas. Designed for entities like towns and nonprofits, the program prioritizes technical assistance, training, and project funding without a maximum grant limit. Eligible projects include business counseling, infrastructure development, and community economic initiatives. This initiative is part of USDA's commitment to foster sustainable rural economies and improve living conditions in rural communities.

The Regional Touring Grant Program, funded by the Mid-America Arts Alliance, supports organizations in the M-AAA region to showcase touring artists from outside their state. Grants up to $5,000 are available, with organizations eligible for matching funds and the capacity to submit multiple applications. Projects are designed to enhance arts programming and engage underserved audiences through public-facing events, including performances and outreach activities. This initiative aims to foster cultural exchange and deepen community connections through the arts.