Search Through Grants for New Nonprofits in Arkansas in the U.S.

Charitable Contributions

Our goal with financial contributions from BOK Financial and the BOKF Foundation is to enhance the quality of life and economic wellbeing in the communities where BOK Financial operates and where our employees work and live including Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Our charitable contributions are focused on four pillars of giving: United Way, economic development, education and basic needs

Our long-term strategic plan guides all contributions to assure maximum impact in the community and to develop mutually beneficial relationships with our nonprofit partner agencies. BOK financial contributions are budgeted on an annual calendar basis. We accept online charitable contribution/grant applications throughout the year.

Pillars of giving

Basic Needs

We provide volunteer and financial support to organizations serving the most vulnerable members of our community. Our efforts largely focus on organizations providing direct services addressing such issues as poverty, hunger, healthcare, housing and safety.

Education

An equitable, robust educational system drives long-term community growth. We support local nonprofits whose primary mission is promoting basic education, including public school foundations, early childhood education, financial literacy, and institutions of higher education.

Economic Development

Actions that raise the standard of living and economic health of our communities make them better places to live and work. We provide support to local chambers of commerce; nonprofits focused on workforce development, job training, etc.; and public/private partnerships investing in our communities.

United Way

Our focus on strategically investing in the community aligns perfectly with United Way’s approach to achieving its mission of mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good.

About

We are in the business of improving lives in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It is a daunting task because the Mid South is home to 30% of the nation’s poverty, which has eroded the well-being of our communities, education and health systems, as well as financial security. These deficiencies—if left unhindered—will continue to grow and deny further opportunities to better conditions for families today and future generations.

The Foundation for the Mid South was established to bring together the public and private sectors and focus their resources on increasing social and economic opportunity. Our approach is straightforward and long term: enable communities to develop solutions to better conditions and improve lives.

Our Priorities

The Foundation for the Mid South focuses on strengthening four priorities that, we believe, are the bedrock for prosperous communities and a strong region.

Our Education Opportunities work supports efforts that help students succeed academically—by strengthening traditional education systems and programs and community institutions serving students.

In Healthy Opportunities, we work to promote physical and mental well-being in order to comprehensively improve the health status in the region.

In order to break the cycle of generational poverty, our Economic Opportunities work is helping people become financially secure so they can move up the economic ladder.

Education

A strong foundation of education is essential not only to individuals but to the economic success of our region. Many companies struggle to find graduates with necessary skill sets. It is important that we achieve greater graduation rates, increased college enrollment numbers, and stronger workforce preparedness levels. The national high school graduation rate is 78.2%, but Mid South states have lower rates. Males of color are particularly at risk; nationally, only 52% of black males graduate from high school in four years.

Foundation for the Mid South offers enrichment opportunities and builds skills necessary for success in high school, college and the 21st century workplace. We aim to ensure that all youth, regardless of income, geography or race, receive equitable access to an effective learning environment.

We partner with individuals and organizations committed to improving high school graduation rates, college preparedness and life outcomes of students. Current areas of focus include: tutoring, coaching, career development and learning and study strategies.

• Academic Success for All Students
• Focusing on academic strategies and enrichment opportunities to help students learn in effective and innovative ways.
• Academic Success for Males of Color
• Identifying critical skills to improve academic performance and life skills for young men of color.

Economic Opportunities

Programs and information to enable residents to manage their finances effectively and grow their wealth.

Mid Southerners make poor financial decisions because they do not have adequate financial information and training. This limits residents’ ability to acquire wealth and creates a generational cycle of poverty.

The Foundation for the Mid South will use financial competency and asset building programs to improve the financial stability of approximately 300,000 households in the region.

We provide programs and information to enable residents to manage their finances effectively and grow their wealth:

• Financial Competency
  • Giving individuals and families the tools they need to make smart financial decisions.
• Asset Building

Healthy Opportunities

Improve individual and community health outcomes in chronic disease, mental health, and access to care.

Mid South residents have more health problems and lower life expectancy than those in other parts of the nation. Unhealthy behaviors and lack of health services contribute to these problems. Approximately 30% of adults and 20% of youth in the Mid South are obese, leading to high healthcare costs, lost wages, or even premature death. Approximately 1 million adults suffer from poor mental health, stressors which decrease learning or the ability to work. If not addressed, they can develop into serious mental disorders.

Foundation for the Mid South seeks to improve health for individuals and communities. Health is not a standalone issue; it is an interrelated part of improving our region, enabling people to learn effectively and improve their economic situations.

We aim to improve individual and community health outcomes through:

• Healthy Behaviors to Reduce Obesity
  • Increasing access to and use of physical activity and access to fresh, healthy foods.
• Mental Health Awareness and Access
  • Helping individuals identify everyday stressors and connecting them to resources and services to address their mental health needs.
• Access to Healthcare Resources
  • Ensuring individuals have access to healthcare services and knowledge to make informed decisions.

Our Mission

The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation exists to relentlessly pursue economic, educational, social, ethnic and racial equity for all Arkansans.

Our Vision

WRF affirms the legacy of our founder who envisioned a thriving and prosperous Arkansas that benefits all Arkansans.

How We Work

 Our approach to philanthropy centers on changing systems and policies to solve problems over the long term and expand power and access for marginalized communities. 

We work with multiple sectors —public, private, and nonprofit—to support the leadership, policies, movements and cultural changes that are required to achieve widespread equity and prosperity in Arkansas.

We use our tools and resources in grantmaking and capacity building, strategic communications, strategic partnerships, convenings, and program- and mission- related investments.

Program and Mission Related Investments

From GrantCrafts’ Program-related Investing: Skills and Strategies for New PRI Funders: Program Related Investments (PRI) are investments made by foundations in support of charitable purposes, with the explicit understanding that those investments will earn below market returns, adjusted for risk and mission. Although a PRI is not a grant, it counts toward a foundation’s payout requirement in the year a disbursement is made.

Funding Objective

Program-Related Investments are below-market investments that generate both social and economic returns and are in support of charitable purposes. Mission-related investments serve as a flexible tool for the Foundation to address crucial problems in communities on a much larger scale than grants alone.

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Arkansas Humanities Council is to promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities in Arkansas.

What We Fund

The Arkansas Humanities Council supports innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Documentary Film Preproduction

Documentary film preproduction and production projects must be specific to Arkansas subjects such as, but not limited to, historical figures or events, culture, archeology, history of an Arkansas community or organization, activities, music, or similar topic.

Film preproduction applications must provide a schedule, name of filmographer with information regarding their expertise and filmography, a research concept, and those to be interviewed (if applicable).

Film production applications must include a schedule, name of filmographer with information regarding their expertise and filmography, copy of script, editing suite, distribution plan, and signed consent forms from interviewees (if applicable).

About

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Arkansas Humanities Council is to promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities in Arkansas.

What We Fund

We support innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to the community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Other Media Grants

Projects that focus on Arkansas, prehistory, history, and culture and involve collaboration between humanities scholars and experienced media specialists are eligible for grants from the council.

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

Our Mission

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. We support the humanities in Arkansas through public programs, community forums, partnerships, and grantmaking to nonprofit organizations for humanities-based projects statewide.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with the humanities by encouraging the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences. Learn more about HumanitiesAR.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

What We Fund

The Arkansas Humanities Council supports innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Public Program Grants

Public programs involve interaction between humanities scholars and Arkansas audiences. Formats for public programs include, but are not limited to, lectures, discussions, workshops, conferences, guided tours, film series, webinars, and other imaginative means of bringing the humanities to specific Arkansas audiences

Our Mission

Transforming oral health through collaboration, innovation, education, and service.

Our new mission statement charts a bolder, more innovative path. We are focusing on building dynamic partnerships with Arkansas non-profits, government agencies, and schools to develop long-term solutions. Our goal is to fund projects and initiatives that prevent severe oral health issues in an effort to avoid costly interventions later on. We will still fund smaller-scale, transactional programs and will continue to work with organizations to integrate oral health into existing or new programs.

Oral Health Education Grants

Oral Health Education Grants seek to increase oral health knowledge and empowerment through community partnerships that reach underserved, uninsured, and/or underinsured Arkansas residents of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic statuses in Arkansas.

Oral Health Education Grants seek to improve oral health care through funding innovative educational programs that build the following healthy habits:

• Brushing Teeth
• Flossing Teeth
• Visiting a Dentist

Funding

Oral Health Education Grants range from $2,500 up to $30,000 per organization

Who/What We Fund

DDARF will prioritize grant requests that incorporate the following (as applicable):

• A clear oral health focus
• A project plan detailing how and when the program will be carried out and who will be responsible for each task
• Active collaboration among organizations, schools, and/or healthcare providers
• Inclusion of diverse groups led by individuals who reflect the community being served
• Referral protocols that link individuals needing dental care with a source of dental care
• Wrap-around support that link participants to other social services
• Initiation of oral health programs in counties where none or few exist
• Previously funded organizations that have submitted complete Interim and Final Reports (final reports for previously funded programs must be submitted before a new application is made)

Our Mission

The Kerr Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable and educational Oklahoma corporation, established to identify and support 501(c)3 organizations, programs and institutions that provide new or enhanced opportunities for those within the granting areas, particularly the young.

Program Categories

Education - Institutions of elementary, junior high, pre-collegiate, along with institutions of higher learning to include health science centers and medical research done by educational institutions

Arts and Culture - Organizations in the visual arts and performing arts areas, museums and libraries

Health - Institutions providing health care, doing medical research, or outreach organizations employing primarily professionals from the allied health area

Human Services - Organizations providing services in diverse areas to the public, and specifically to the disadvantaged, people with special needs and the elderly

Project Categories

Capital - Bricks and mortar projects, including equipment

Program - Programs having an objective and specified time span

Operating - Funds to be used to cover basic ongoing administrative and personnel expenses

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Arkansas Humanities Council is to promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities in Arkansas.

What We Fund

The Arkansas Humanities Council supports innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Documentary Film Preproduction

Documentary film preproduction and production projects must be specific to Arkansas subjects such as, but not limited to, historical figures or events, culture, archeology, history of an Arkansas community or organization, activities, music, or similar topic.

Film preproduction applications must provide a schedule, name of filmographer with information regarding their expertise and filmography, a research concept, and those to be interviewed (if applicable).

Film production applications must include a schedule, name of filmographer with information regarding their expertise and filmography, copy of script, editing suite, distribution plan, and signed consent forms from interviewees (if applicable).

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Arkansas Humanities Council is to promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities in Arkansas.

What We Fund

We support innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to the community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Other Media Grants

Projects that focus on Arkansas, prehistory, history, and culture and involve collaboration between humanities scholars and experienced media specialists are eligible for grants from the council.

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

What We Fund

The Arkansas Humanities Council supports innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Arkansas Humanities Council is to promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities in Arkansas.

Publications

Publications on topics such as prehistory, history, culture, and/or other scholarly works are available. A transcript of the proposed publication must be submitted along with the application. All transcripts must be peer-reviewed and published by traditional means through a contract, providing editing, publishing, and distribution. Examples of traditional publishers are university presses such as the University of Arkansas Press, Random House, Simon & Schuster, etc. The exception is small nonprofit organizations such as museums, historical societies, churches, and/or similar entities that may wish to independently self-publish through various means. These may include publishing software, Amazon Publishing, Shutterfly Books, and/or similar means. A copy of the proposed transcript must be submitted at the same time as the grant application.

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

Our Mission

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. We support the humanities in Arkansas through public programs, community forums, partnerships, and grantmaking to nonprofit organizations for humanities-based projects statewide.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with the humanities by encouraging the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences. Learn more about HumanitiesAR.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

What We Fund

The Arkansas Humanities Council supports innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Public Program Grants

Public programs involve interaction between humanities scholars and Arkansas audiences. Formats for public programs include, but are not limited to, lectures, discussions, workshops, conferences, guided tours, film series, webinars, and other imaginative means of bringing the humanities to specific Arkansas audiences

Battlefield Preservation Fund

Grants from the Battlefield Preservation Fund will serve as a catalyst to stimulate efforts to preserve battlefields, viewsheds, and related historic structures and to leverage fund-raising activities.

Eligible Activities

National Trust Preservation Fund grants are awarded for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to on-going efforts.

Planning

Supporting existing staff (nonprofit applicants only) or obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, and law. Eligible planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Hiring a preservation architect or landscape architect, or funding existing staff with expertise in these areas, to produce a historic structure report or historic landscape master plan.
• Hiring a preservation planner, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce design guidelines for a historic district.
• Hiring a real estate development consultant, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce an economic feasibility study for the reuse of a threatened structure.
• Sponsoring a community forum to develop a shared vision for the future of a historic neighborhood.
• Organizational capacity building activities such as hiring fundraising consultants, conducting board training, etc.

Education and Outreach

Support for preservation education activities aimed at the public. The National Trust is particularly interested in programs aimed at reaching new audiences. Funding will be provided to projects that employ innovative techniques and formats aimed at introducing new audiences to the preservation movement, whether that be through education programming or conference sessions.

Guidelines

Grants from National Trust Preservation Funds (NTPF) are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by supporting on-going preservation work and by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for preservation projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector.

A small grant at the right time can go a long way and is often the catalyst that inspires a community to take action on a preservation project. Grants generally start at $2,500 and range up to $5,000. The selection process is very competitive.

Eligible Activities

National Trust Preservation Fund grants are awarded for planning activities and education efforts focused on preservation. Grant funds can be used to launch new initiatives or to provide additional support to on-going efforts.

Planning: Supporting existing staff (nonprofit applicants only) or obtaining professional expertise in areas such as architecture, archaeology, engineering, preservation planning, land-use planning, and law. Eligible planning activities include, but are not limited to:

• Hiring a preservation architect or landscape architect, or funding existing staff with expertise in these areas, to produce a historic structure report or historic landscape master plan.
• Hiring a preservation planner, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce design guidelines for a historic district.
• Hiring a real estate development consultant, or funding existing staff with expertise in this area, to produce an economic feasibility study for the reuse of a threatened structure.
• Sponsoring a community forum to develop a shared vision for the future of a historic neighborhood.
• Organizational capacity building activities such as hiring fundraising consultants, conducting board training, etc.

Education and Outreach: Support for preservation education activities aimed at the public. The National Trust is particularly interested in programs aimed at reaching new audiences. Funding will be provided to projects that employ innovative techniques and formats aimed at introducing new audiences to the preservation movement, whether that be through education programming or conference sessions.

Arkansas Arts Council

The Arkansas Arts Council advances and empowers the arts by providing services and funding for programming that encourages and assists literary, performing and visual artists in achieving standards of professional excellence. The Arkansas Arts Council also provides technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and other providers of cultural and educational programs. This statewide programming and assistance ultimately provides cultural, educational and economic opportunities for the benefit of all Arkansans.

The Arkansas Arts Council was established in 1966 to enable the state of Arkansas to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1971, Act 359 (A.C.A. § 13-8-101 et seq.) gave independent agency status to the Arts Council, with an executive director and a 17-member council appointed by the governor. In 1975, the Arts Council became an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, now the Division of Arkansas Heritage.

The Arkansas Arts Council is an agency of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goals of all big Division of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. Funding for the Arkansas Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Arkansas and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Our Goals

• Encourage artistic excellence, diversity and innovation
• Promote equitable access to the arts for all Arkansans
• Develop arts in education for life-long learning
• Enhance community cultural and economic development
• Build and sustain the capacity of the Arkansas Arts Council to fulfill its mission

Arts In Education Grants 

The Arts in Education program initiates new arts programs, or enhances existing ones, in schools and local arts agencies by providing direct interaction with professional artists in residencies for pre K–12 students. All artists involved in AIE residencies must be selected from the Arts in Education Artist Roster.

After-School / Summer Residency Program

These major-grants help fund placing professional artists in residencies outside the school environment, school day or school year. The settings include after-school and summer programs and can be located in community centers, low-income housing projects, juvenile facilities, social service centers, parks/recreation programs, boys and girls clubs and other community-based or governmental organizations and institutions. 

The Arts In Education In-School Residency program (AIE ISR) places professional artists in residencies at specific school sites or nonprofit organizations to allow them to demonstrate their art forms in pre-K to 12th grade curriculum areas. The AIE ISR intent is based on the conviction that participation in the arts should be an integral part of the basic education process. The program is based on guidelines provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Funds from the AIE ISR grant may be used only for contracted administrative or artistic expenses related to the proposed program. 

Arkansas Arts Council

The Arkansas Arts Council advances and empowers the arts by providing services and funding for programming that encourages and assists literary, performing and visual artists in achieving standards of professional excellence. The Arkansas Arts Council also provides technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and other providers of cultural and educational programs. This statewide programming and assistance ultimately provides cultural, educational and economic opportunities for the benefit of all Arkansans.

The Arkansas Arts Council was established in 1966 to enable the state of Arkansas to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1971, Act 359 (A.C.A. § 13-8-101 et seq.) gave independent agency status to the Arts Council, with an executive director and a 17-member council appointed by the governor. In 1975, the Arts Council became an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, now the Division of Arkansas Heritage.

The Arkansas Arts Council is an agency of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goals of all big Division of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. Funding for the Arkansas Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Arkansas and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Our Goals

• Encourage artistic excellence, diversity and innovation
• Promote equitable access to the arts for all Arkansans
• Develop arts in education for life-long learning
• Enhance community cultural and economic development
• Build and sustain the capacity of the Arkansas Arts Council to fulfill its mission

Arts In Education Grants 

The Arts in Education program initiates new arts programs, or enhances existing ones, in schools and local arts agencies by providing direct interaction with professional artists in residencies for pre K–12 students. All artists involved in AIE residencies must be selected from the Arts in Education Artist Roster.

Arts Curriculum Grants

These mini-grants are awarded to schools and nonprofit or governmental organizations and institutions to help support projects that advance the goal of arts as a basic part of education. Projects must seek to enhance current arts curricula or must assist in the goal of establishing on-going arts programming and/or curricula in schools and organizations. Artists selected for this grant must be from the Arkansas Arts Council’s Arts in Education Artist Roster. 

Arkansas Arts Council

The Arkansas Arts Council advances and empowers the arts by providing services and funding for programming that encourages and assists literary, performing and visual artists in achieving standards of professional excellence. The Arkansas Arts Council also provides technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and other providers of cultural and educational programs. This statewide programming and assistance ultimately provides cultural, educational and economic opportunities for the benefit of all Arkansans.

The Arkansas Arts Council was established in 1966 to enable the state of Arkansas to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1971, Act 359 (A.C.A. § 13-8-101 et seq.) gave independent agency status to the Arts Council, with an executive director and a 17-member council appointed by the governor. In 1975, the Arts Council became an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, now the Division of Arkansas Heritage.

The Arkansas Arts Council is an agency of Arkansas Heritage and shares the goals of all big Division of Arkansas Heritage agencies, that of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. Funding for the Arkansas Arts Council and its programs is provided by the State of Arkansas and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Our Goals

• Encourage artistic excellence, diversity and innovation
• Promote equitable access to the arts for all Arkansans
• Develop arts in education for life-long learning
• Enhance community cultural and economic development
• Build and sustain the capacity of the Arkansas Arts Council to fulfill its mission

Arts In Education Grants 

The Arts in Education program initiates new arts programs, or enhances existing ones, in schools and local arts agencies by providing direct interaction with professional artists in residencies for pre K–12 students. All artists involved in AIE residencies must be selected from the Arts in Education Artist Roster.

Arts in Education In-School Residency Program

The Arts in Education In-School Residency program places professional artists during the school day or school year in residencies at specific school sites or in conjunction with other nonprofit community or governmental organizations and institutions. The program provides a way for artists to demonstrate their art form, create or perform works of art so that participants may observe the creative process and relate their art form to other K-12 curriculum areas. The program  is designed to strengthen the role of the arts in education with the understanding that the development of aesthetic awareness and participation in the arts should be an integral part of life and the basic education process. 

Funding

Grant award payments, of up to $40,000, are scheduled to accommodate the grantee program requirements to the extent possible. The 1:1 match can be 50% in-kind.

Signature Employment Grants

Transforming Employment Outcomes with Novel Solutions

Innovation lies at the core of all the Foundation’s Signature Employment Grants. It involves developing or adapting ideas, processes, or services to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Innovation requires assessing needs, applying knowledge, creativity, and initiative to develop new solutions or repurpose existing ones in a novel way. To qualify, proposed interventions must demonstrate broader impact beyond your organization and be innovative at the state, national, or industry level.

2025 Grants Target States with Low Employment

For our 2025 Signature Grants, the Foundation invites proposals for groundbreaking employment projects from tax-exempt organizations operating in states with some of the lowest employment participation rates for people with disabilities. These states – Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and West Virginia – represent areas where targeted interventions can have a transformative impact.

Coastal Areas Impacted by Wildfires Deadline: July 6, 2021

What does this program do?

This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.

What is an eligible area?

Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas. 

What kind of funding is available?

There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. Opportunity grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding.

How may funds be used?

Enterprise grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application. Uses may include:

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports or producer service improvements.
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
• Pollution control and abatement.
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
• Distance adult learning for job training and advancement.
• Rural transportation improvement.
• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

Opportunity grants can be used for:

• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

Our Mission

We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. We support the humanities in Arkansas through public programs, community forums, partnerships, and grantmaking to nonprofit organizations for humanities-based projects statewide.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with the humanities by encouraging the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences. Learn more about HumanitiesAR.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

What We Fund

The Arkansas Humanities Council supports innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Supporting Historic Sacred Places

A program of Partners for Sacred Places in collaboration with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Fund for Sacred Places provides financial and technical support for community-serving historic houses of worship across America.

What We Offer

The National Fund for Sacred Places provides matching grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to congregations undertaking significant capital projects at historic houses of worship, along with wraparound services including training, technical assistance, and planning support.

What We’re Looking For

The National Fund for Sacred Places assesses applicant eligibility according to the core criteria shown below, while also striving to build a diverse participant pool that reflects a broad range of geographic, cultural, and religious identities.

Historic, Cultural, or Architectural Significance

We are looking for buildings that have historic, cultural, or architectural significance—and sites that have important and relevant stories to tell. Many of our participants are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the state register, or the local register. Your building does not have to be on one of these lists, but eligibility for one or more of these lists is a good benchmark for National Fund eligibility.

As part of the National Trust’s commitment to telling the full American story, we particularly encourage congregations to apply that illuminate a unique or overlooked aspect of American history and that expand our understanding of our shared national heritage. We encourage submissions related to historic sacred places of importance to historically and contemporaneously underrepresented communities including, but not limited to, women, immigrants, Asian Americans, Black Americans, Latinx Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and LGBTQIA communities.

Successful applicants are able to demonstrate their place in history by answering questions such as:

• Does the building tell a story relevant to our history—either cultural or religious?
• Does the history highlight previously underrecognized communities, stories, or locations?
• How has the building served the community over time? Does the building have a great physical presence in its community due to its location or programming?
• Is the building the work of a notable architect? If so, is it a high-quality example of their body of work?
• Is the building an exceptional example of its architectural style or building technology?
• Does the building embody the congregation’s resilience over time?

Community-Serving Congregations

We are looking for congregations that are engaged in their communities and that are serving others. Engaged congregations operate and host programming that serves vulnerable, at-risk, and diverse populations; share space with non-affiliated groups and organizations (often at subsidized rates); work with other congregations, faith-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, and/or municipalities; and have a widespread reputation for being a welcoming center of community life.

Project Scope and Need

We fund historic preservation projects addressing urgent repair needs and/or life safety. We also fund projects that increase congregations’ ability to open their buildings to new populations or to serve greater numbers of people. All projects must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation, which is a universally accepted framework for doing work to older and historic properties.

We prioritize congregations/projects where there is a demonstrated need (meaning that the congregation cannot raise the funds alone) or where it is clear that our grant will have a catalytic effect (meaning that our grant is likely to lead to additional monies being contributed to the project).

Readiness

Once-in-a-generation capital projects require a great deal of planning. We are looking for applicants that understand their buildings’ needs and that are ready to undertake a capital campaign. National Fund congregations typically have a history of successful capital campaigns, which demonstrate an ability to raise significant funds and complete a project.

Successful congregations come to us with a realistic fundraising goal, which has been generated with the help of qualified preservation professionals and is not too far beyond the congregation’s fundraising capacity.

Healthy Congregations

The National Fund prioritizes healthy, stable congregations so that our investment is truly impactful and lasting. We look for the following, although this is not an exhaustive list of characteristics that indicate healthy congregations: tenured, well-respected clergy; capable lay leadership; stable or growing membership; financial strength and stability; support of the judicatory or governing body, if applicable; and a history of weathering any congregational conflict or trauma with resilience.

About Us

HumanitiesAR, under the official name of Arkansas Humanities Council, is a nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

In spring 2024, we rebranded with HumanitiesAR as our name. But the new brand serves as more than a new name—it embodies our commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and forging stronger community ties through the humanities. It’s about providing clarity in our identity and strengthening the recognition of our role within the state of Arkansas

Through the humanities, we remember our history and envision our future. Reading, writing, storytelling, research, and many forms of public dialogue and conversation are central to the humanities and the core of what we do at HumanitiesAR.

Our mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities and ultimately discover our mutual experiences through programs that:

• Engage educators across the state of Arkansas
• Offer profound storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
• Provide Arkansans a place to celebrate and be empowered to connect with the humanities through the discovery and understanding of our diverse and mutual experiences

We work to achieve its mission by awarding grants through a competitive process to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools statewide, and by working with key partners to develop local humanities projects and programs for Arkansas audiences.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Arkansas Humanities Council is to promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities in Arkansas.

What are the humanities?

The term “humanities” includes the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition.

What We Fund

The Arkansas Humanities Council supports innovative, humanities-based projects that connect Arkansans to the past, to one another, to community, and to all areas of the humanities we share across our state.

Collaborative Research Grant

Research projects on topics such as Arkansas prehistory, history, and culture are available to nonprofit organizations. The outcomes of that research must be of interest and value to audiences outside the academic community as well as within.

Collaborative research projects involved the nonprofit organization, humanities scholar(s), and a third party such as a college or university.

Arkansas Community Foundation, in partnership with CACHE (Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange), invites small arts nonprofits state-wide to apply to the Arts in Arkansas Fund which will provide a total of $5,000 to support general operations ($2,500 in year one, and final installment of $2,500 in year two.)

Grant decisions will be made based on the following considerations:

• The need expressed in the application for general operating support
  • This can also include maintaining vital arts programming and/or providing or expanding new arts programming that is otherwise inaccessible or limited to the organizations’ target audience
• Geographic representation
  • Grants will be distributed throughout the state

Globe Life and the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, with help from Bally Sports Southwest, partner annually to provide grants to nonprofit baseball and softball programs across Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas.

The Rangers and Rangers Foundation are committed to supporting the growth of baseball and softball and making sure that every child is afforded the opportunity to experience joy and community through sports. This grant program is designed to continue to build baseball and softball by providing funding for field renovations, equipment needs, uniforms, and league development for teams throughout the five-state territory.

Since its inception in 2012, the Globe Life Baseball and Softball Grant Program has donated over $1,125,000 to more than 150 organizations helping countless communities in need.

Division of Arkansas Heritage

The Division of Arkansas Heritage (DAH) was created by Act 101 in 1975 to preserve and promote Arkansas’s natural and cultural heritage. Originally known as the "Department of Arkansas Natural and Cultural Heritage," the legislation grouped together several culturally oriented divisions under one department. The agency name change to the Division of Arkansas Heritage occurred in 1985. Today, DAH consists of eight divisions and a director’s office which manages general administrative and marketing operations.

Arkansas Arts Council

The Arkansas Arts Council advances and empowers the arts by providing services and funding for programming that encourages and assists literary, performing and visual artists in achieving standards of professional excellence. The Arkansas Arts Council also provides technical and financial assistance to Arkansas arts organizations and other providers of cultural and educational programs. This statewide programming and assistance ultimately provides cultural, educational and economic opportunities for the benefit of all Arkansans.

The Arkansas Arts Council was established in 1966 to enable the state of Arkansas to receive funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1971, Act 359 (A.C.A. § 13-8-101 et seq.) gave independent agency status to the Arts Council. In 1975, the Arts Council became an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, now the Division of Arkansas Heritage. The Arkansas Arts Council is an agency of Arkansas Heritage and shares its goals of preserving and enhancing the heritage of the state of Arkansas. 

Arts In Education Grants

The Arts in Education program initiates new arts programs, or enhances existing ones, in schools and local arts agencies by providing direct interaction with professional artists in residencies for pre K–12 students.

Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants Veteran's Project program

The Arts for Lifelong Learning Mini-Grants Veteran's Project program enriches the lives of veterans through quality arts learning experiences. This program provides funding for eligible institutions that wish to host a short-term (up to 10 days) residency program with artists. The professional artists do not need to be listed on the Arts in Education Artist Roster. Programs should have hands-on arts activities for veterans in community-based or governmental organizations and institutions. An in-service workshop may also be included in the Veteran's Project program. Grant request is up to $2,000 and does not require any cash or in kind match. 

Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

A community foundation is a philanthropic organization that manages charitable funds with a broad base of donors to benefit a specific geographic area—in our case, West Tennessee, eastern Arkansas, and northern Mississippi.

Founded in 1969, the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis brings a half-century of experience and expertise, working with donors, professional advisors, and nonprofits to help strengthen our community through philanthropy. Together, we have built a trusted resource that helps transform the way you give.

Mission

The mission of the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis is to strengthen our community through philanthropy. To accomplish this mission, the Community Foundation will:

• Develop and effectively manage charitable funds and endowments, offering the highest levels of service and expertise to individuals, families, and institutional donors and their successors; 
• Actively address the needs of the community by examining community issues, securing and distributing resources, advocating for positive change, and convening meetings and conversations which encourage donors and the community to respond;
• Encourage philanthropy and the growth of charitable resources among individuals, families, businesses, and community institutions.

Nonprofit Capacity Building Grants

The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis seeks to address the organizational strength and overall health of nonprofits in the Mid-South by supporting their capacity building efforts through financial grants. Reviewed by a committee of community volunteers, these grants are awarded to established nonprofits for one-time projects that address a part of the organization’s strategic plan to improve the management, governance, and administration of the organization, not direct programmatic improvements. By strengthening the internal capacity of an organization, the Community Foundation believes the programs and services will also be strengthened. Nonprofit Capacity Building grants require the recipient to raise matching funds ($1 for every $1), thereby encouraging the grantee to use our grant to leverage resources from other donors and funders.

Types of Projects Supported

The average Nonprofit Capacity Building grant is around $15,000, and there is approximately $210,000 available this year. Project examples include but are not limited to:

• Evaluation of core programs
• Staff or board training
• Assessment of technology systems or implementation of technology upgrades
• Human resources planning, succession planning, or fundraising planning
• Merger or formal collaboration between organizations

For more specific examples, please see previous Nonprofit Capacity Building grants awarded here.

Mission

The mission of Southern Partners Fund (SPF) is to serve rural Southeastern communities and organizations seeking social, economic and environmental justice by providing them with financial resources, technical assistance, training and access to systems of information and power. There are two central ideas embraced in the democratic philanthropy of Southern Partners Fund: compassion and community. Compassion implies an understanding or concern for community members lacking local political power to impact the decisions that affect their lives. Community relates to the things that bring us and hold us together.

Purpose

The Purpose of SPF Grantmaking is to:

• Develop and nurture grassroots community-based leaders and organizers.
• Build the capacity of rural, grassroots community organizing groups and leaders.
• Strengthen rural communities and people.
• Develop equitable peer relationships, which support real transformation toward a just society.

Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grants Cycle

Hubert Ellis Sapp, a transformative visionary and grassroots organizer, was instrumental in turning the concept of Southern Partners Fund, a democratically led foundation directed by grassroots leaders, into a reality. To honor his legacy in the wake of his passing in February of 2021, we are honored to add his name to our Regular Grant Cycle, which from here on, will be referred to as the Hubert E. Sapp Regular Grant Cycle. 

• Applicants may request general support or project support.
• Applicants must have operating budgets of $350,000 or less to receive general support.
• Organizations with operating budgets over $350,000 can apply for project support only.

Members of SPF’s grants committee will contact organizations being considered to schedule a site visit, required for new applicants, or phone interview. SPF’s grants committee, made up of SPF members, makes grants decisions during a September grants panel meeting, which are then ratified by the Board. Groups will be notified of grants decisions after October 1st, 2024.

If an organization has received five consecutive years of regular grant cycle funding, it must take a year off before making a new RGC grant request.