Best Foundation Grants for Nonprofits 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.

BOK Charitable Contributions aims to enhance community life and economic wellbeing across several states, focusing on four key pillars: United Way, economic development, education, and basic needs. The foundation supports organizations that address poverty, education, and community health. Their strategic approach ensures impactful contributions, and they welcome grant applications year-round. BOK Financial's commitment is evident in its partnerships with local nonprofits, fostering sustainable growth and development in the regions they serve.

The Community Foundation of Faulkner County, part of the Arkansas Community Foundation, awards the Jerry B. Adams Excellence in Philanthropy Award to honor individuals dedicated to philanthropy and community improvement. Established in 2001, this initiative recognizes those who embody values of collaboration and strategic giving. Over the years, the foundation has managed substantial assets and granted millions to enhance local programs. Nominations are sought annually to celebrate ongoing community commitment and effective responses to local challenges.

The Giving Tree – Early Literacy Grants, offered by the Arkansas Community Foundation, aim to enhance early literacy among children. These grants support initiatives that engage parents, improve school readiness, bolster classroom instruction, and address attendance issues. They are designed for 501c3 nonprofits, schools, and government entities. By focusing on various aspects of early education, these grants seek to ensure that every child in Arkansas has the resources and support necessary to thrive academically.

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 Windgate Charitable Trust Grant supports contemporary craft and visual arts in the U.S. It offers funding for fellowships, residencies, educational outreach, and materials for craft programs. The foundation prioritizes strengthening visual arts in colleges and expanding K-12 art-integrated programs, providing opportunities for artists and educators to enhance their skills and foster creativity among students. Organizations with previous funding from Windgate can apply through the grantee portal.

The Northwest Arkansas Giving program offers event sponsorships through a biannual RFP process, exclusively for NWA-based nonprofits. It aims to enhance community engagement through fundraising events and community celebrations, fostering connections among residents. With Walmart's deep roots in the region, the program seeks to uplift Benton and Washington counties by supporting events that are accessible and impactful. Nonprofits can apply for one event sponsorship per year in each category, ensuring a diverse range of community-focused initiatives.

The NRA Foundation offers grants in Arkansas aimed at promoting charitable purposes as defined by the IRS. Eligible applicants include recognized nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions. The foundation supports initiatives that enhance firearms safety, education in shooting sports, and research in marksmanship. Importantly, organizations not holding a Federal Employer Identification Number or those classified as labor unions or private businesses are ineligible. This funding is vital for advancing community safety and education.

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.

Arkansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions improving oral health can seek $2,500 - US $40,000 for prevention, education, and treatment projects. Focused on oral health, Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation supports program staffing, equipment, clinic supplies, and operational costs to expand care for underserved, uninsured, and underinsured residents statewide.

The Fayetteville Public Education Foundation offers Standard and Pendergraft Grants to enhance educational experiences in Fayetteville Public Schools. Grants up to $10,000 for Standard Grants and $10,000 to $25,000 for Pendergraft Grants are available for innovative projects. Eligibility includes educators within the district and nonprofit partners. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate educational innovation and equity. Applications are accepted biannually, ensuring diverse educational opportunities for students.

The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation supports community grants in Arkansas and West Texas, focusing on areas such as aging populations, arts and culture, children and youth, economically disadvantaged individuals, education, and nonprofit capacity building. Grants aim to enhance the quality of life, promote independence, and ensure access to essential services for vulnerable groups. Eligible applicants are local organizations that align with the foundation's mission and geographic focus.

The Clark County Community Foundation's Giving Tree Grants support local nonprofits, schools, and charities in Clark County. Grants range from $250 to $1,500, aimed at general charitable purposes that enhance community welfare. Through these grants, the foundation fosters projects with potential statewide impact while addressing immediate local needs. Eligible applicants include various charitable organizations, excluding those seeking support for political or sectarian projects, multi-year proposals, or funding for salaries.

The Cleburne County Community Foundation Grant, established in 2004, aims to enhance the quality of life for residents of Cleburne County, Arkansas. This grant supports local initiatives through strategic philanthropy, fostering partnerships with individuals, families, and corporations. The Arkansas Community Foundation, a private nonprofit organization, drives these efforts by connecting resources and inspiring solutions to address community needs effectively.

The Monroe County Community Foundation Grants, established in 2000, play a vital role in enhancing the capacity of nonprofits in rural Arkansas. By connecting resources and fostering collaboration, the Foundation supports initiatives that address local needs. It encourages contributions to enhance existing endowments and create new funds, ensuring sustainable progress for the community. Their commitment to positive change empowers local organizations and engages donors to build a brighter future for Monroe County.

The White County Community Foundation, established in 2003, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in White County by connecting donors with community needs. As part of the Arkansas Community Foundation, it has awarded over $500,000 in grants to support various local initiatives. The Foundation fosters collaboration and community engagement, ensuring that charitable contributions effectively address pressing challenges and promote a resilient future for all residents.

The Union County Community Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations and institutions focused on education, arts, health, social services, and more. They support creative programs that address community needs in Union County, aiming to encourage philanthropy through a permanent endowment. Grants are primarily awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations, with specific exclusions for political and religious purposes. Their mission is to invest in and distribute resources according to donor wishes, enhancing community welfare.

The Hot Springs Area Community Foundation offers Early Literacy Grants to enhance early childhood language and literacy skills. With funding between $2,500 and $10,000 for the 2025–2026 period, the program prioritizes initiatives that connect children from birth to age four with literacy resources. Special emphasis is placed on proposals that expand phonics instruction and engage parents and communities in early learning, continuing the mission to prepare young learners for academic success.

The Hot Springs Area Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Council Grant Cycle focuses on empowering youth in Garland County. Established in 1991, this grant cycle aims to support programs that enhance the lives of children and young people. As part of the Arkansas Community Foundation, it has awarded over $16 million in grants to address various community needs, including education, health, and arts, fostering a vibrant community for all.

The Northwest Arkansas Giving Program, supported by the Wal-Mart Foundation, focuses on enhancing access to healthier food for underserved communities. Eligible nonprofit organizations operating within Northwest Arkansas can apply for funding aimed at improving food availability and supporting local collaborations. Emphasizing measurable outcomes, the program seeks initiatives that address significant community needs while ensuring compliance with specific eligibility criteria.

Arkansas 501(c)(3) civil legal aid providers and eligible government entities can seek funding for civil legal services and related programs in Arkansas. With a mission to expand access to civil justice, Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation provides grants up to Up to US $50,000 for direct legal aid, pro bono or low-bono panels, pilot projects, clinics, and general support.

The Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle, by Southern Partners Fund, aims to empower rural communities in the Southeastern U.S. through grassroots leadership and organizing. The fund provides support to nonprofit organizations focused on social, economic, and environmental justice. Eligible applicants are community-based organizations with budgets under $350,000. The initiative honors Hubert E. Sapp's legacy, promoting equitable relationships that drive real transformation and community decision-making.

The Kerr Foundation Inc. offers grants to 501(c)3 organizations, focusing on education, arts, health, and human services. Priority is given to Oklahoma entities, but applications from neighboring states and Washington D.C. are also accepted. The foundation supports various project types, including capital, program, and operating expenses. Note that back-to-back grants are not allowed, enforcing a three-year gap for reapplication after funding. This ensures a broad and impactful reach for community development.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

The Globe Life Texas Rangers Baseball and Softball Grant Program supports nonprofit baseball and softball initiatives across five states, including Texas and Arkansas. This program aims to enhance youth sports by providing funding for essential needs such as field renovations, equipment, and uniforms. Since 2012, it has awarded over $1.1 million to more than 150 organizations, ensuring children have access to the joy and community of sports. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth aged 18 and under.

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.