Best Professional Development Grants for Nonprofits in Arkansas

Arkansas nonprofit organizations, including schools, libraries, festivals, and churches, can receive up to US $2,000 to reimburse up to 40% of the cost of hiring professional artists from the Arts on Tour Artist Roster. Arkansas arts groups can access funding via Arkansas Heritage to bring literary, performing, and visual arts programming to their communities.

The Costco Wholesale Charitable Contributions program prioritizes support for children, education, and health services within local communities. Nonprofit organizations seeking assistance must be 501(c)(3) certified and focus on monetary requests. Applications are reviewed within 4-6 weeks, factoring in community needs and collaboration. However, Costco limits grants to 10% of the program budget and typically restricts organizations to one request per fiscal year. They do not fund individuals or direct aid for various specific purposes.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and government entities in Arkansas can apply for Arkansas Community Foundation’s Giving Tree – Early Literacy Grants to support early literacy programs and related professional development. Funding can back classroom instruction, teacher training, parent engagement, school readiness, attendance, summer learning, and whole-child supports in counties served by the foundation’s affiliate offices.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

Arkansas nonprofits and social enterprises working on education, children’s health, or family economic stability can access funding through Michael & Susan Dell Foundation for project support or scaling efforts; awards are more than US $50,000. Organizations must serve children or youth in urban low-income communities and meet the foundation’s location and mission-alignment criteria.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working in arts, humanity, education, or faith in Arkansas can seek program or project support that demonstrates strong leadership, impact, sustainability, and collaboration. Grants from Ted and Shannon Skokos Foundation help Arkansas nonprofits, especially those with ties to the founders, strengthen community services with sustainable, high-quality, and well-managed initiatives.

Arkansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits working on community development, workforce education, basic needs, housing, or related initiatives can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Sponsorships may support programs that strengthen economic mobility and social progress, including efforts that build organizational capacity and staff skills for serving low- and moderate-income communities.

Arkansas nonprofits working on health, education, social justice, arts, or community enhancement can access funding through the Assisi Foundation of Memphis for programs serving the Mid-South region. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations must operate in Crittenden County and support inclusive participation; faith-based groups are welcome if they do not restrict services or board roles by religion.

With a mission to promote the humanities, Arkansas Humanities Council provides Arkansas educators and nonprofit literary organizations with up to US $2,000 for humanities-based classroom projects and professional development. Funds can support PK–12 projects, conferences, workshops, seminars, webinars, and related costs like registration, travel, books, and teaching aids that strengthen humanities education and programming.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

Nonprofits, schools, government units, churches, and hospitals in Arkansas can receive up to US $10,000 to host professional artists for after-school or summer arts residencies. With a mission to strengthen arts in education, Arkansas Heritage supports programs in community centers, housing projects, juvenile facilities, social service centers, and other community-based organizations.

Schools, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and government entities in Arkansas can apply for Arkansas Heritage’s Arts Curriculum Project mini-grants, awarding up to US $10,000 for arts-in-education workshops, training, and curriculum projects. Funding can support professional development and other activities that enhance or establish ongoing arts programming using artists from the Arts in Education Artist Roster.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Arkansas can access funding for historic preservation planning and education projects, with awards from US $2,500 - US $5,000. Grants from National Trust for Historic Preservation support activities like hiring preservation consultants, conducting feasibility studies, and building organizational capacity, which may include staff training and board development for local preservation organizations.

Arkansas arts organizations, schools, and community or governmental partners in Arkansas can access funding through Arkansas Heritage to host in-school artist residencies that integrate arts into K–12 learning. The Arts in Education In-School Residency Program offers up to US $40,000 with a 1:1 match, supporting professional artists from the approved roster to work directly with students and educators.

Nonprofits and educational institutions offering contemporary craft or visual arts programs in Arkansas can seek support for fellowships, residencies, scholarships, and professional development. Windgate Charitable Trust funds K–12 visual art-integrated learning, teacher training, and college-level visual arts initiatives, including materials, tools, equipment, and museum acquisitions of contemporary craft by living artists.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and aligned for-profits seeking to tell impactful stories about their work can apply for the Storytelling Grant, which supports communications projects across preservation, education, and wellness. Grants from Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation offer more than US $50,000 and may benefit Arkansas nonprofits investing in staff capacity and professional storytelling skills.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Arkansas offering safety, workforce development, community vitality, or environmental sustainability programs can apply for Union Pacific Foundation’s Community Ties Local Grants, with awards of US $5,000 - US $30,000. With a mission to strengthen local communities, the foundation supports direct services and capacity-building that advance DEI and may include staff training or organizational development.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Arkansas seeking support for education, arts and culture, health, or human services projects can apply for Kerr Foundation Grants to fund capital, program, or operating needs. Grants from Kerr Foundation help Arkansas nonprofits strengthen services, and organizations investing in staff or organizational capacity may be eligible when aligned with these program areas.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Arkansas preserving battlefields, viewsheds, and related historic structures can use this grant for planning, staff support, and preservation education efforts. Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation help launch or strengthen initiatives, including professional development, capacity building, and outreach to new audiences. Awards range from US $2,500 - US $10,000.

Rural public entities and nonprofit organizations in Arkansas can use these grants to provide training, technical assistance, and other support for small rural businesses. USDA Rural Development funds projects such as business counseling, feasibility studies, leadership and entrepreneur training, rural business incubators, and community or technology-based economic development, with awards ranging from US $10,000 - US $500,000.

Fall 2026 Early Childhood Education Funding Cycle

Overall Early Childhood Education Program Blueprint

The Stranahan Foundation’s Early Childhood Education grant program supports efforts to improve access to high-quality early care and education for young children (birth to five), especially those from low-income families. We do this by investing in strategies that strengthen, support, and retain a high-quality, thriving early educator workforce.

The Foundation has a history of supporting professional development (PD) and learning systems through its Provider strategy (). We believe strong professional development systems are essential for building a skilled early childhood workforce and creating positive learning environments for young children.

The Fall 2026 funding cycle is available for organizations that align with this Provider strategy.

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity will provide up to $750,000 to support early childhood education providers in strengthening existing professional development (PD) systems. Funding is intended to improve a specific area of an established PD system—not to build a brand-new system from scratch or put the foundational elements in place.

What kind of improvements can funding support?

Organizations should focus their projects on strengthening their professional development systems. The Stranahan Foundation defines a strong professional development system as one that includes:

• Connect learning opportunities that build on one another over time.
• Use adult learning best practices.
• Align staff learning to educator competencies, credentials, career growth, or compensation.
• Provide learning experiences that are individualized, scaffolded, and responsive to educators’ needs, experience, and goals.
• Have dedicated leadership and organizational capacity to support ongoing implementation.

• Gather regular feedback from staff and families.
• Use standardized assessment and evaluation tools to understand what is working and where improvements are needed.
• Make ongoing improvements based on what is learned.
• Support reflective practice, peer learning, and collaborative inquiry among educators.

• Offer both individual and group learning opportunities, such as training, professional learning communities, coaching, and mentoring.
• Provide learning opportunities on an ongoing basis rather than in a one-and-done situation.
• Connect internal and external learning opportunities to make the best use of available resources.
• Support classroom implementation through observation, modeling, feedback, and continuous improvement cycles.

• Provide learning experiences that are practical, relevant, and easy to apply in daily work.
• Include fundamental topics such as family engagement, effective instruction, developmentally appropriate practice, and classroom management.
• Align with established standards, research, and effective practices in the early childhood field.
• Equip educators to support all learners, including multilingual learners, children with disabilities, and children impacted by trauma or adverse experiences.

Nonprofit organizations in Arkansas with strong, replicable community partnerships addressing significant social issues may be eligible for national recognition and support through the Community Partnership Award. With a mission to honor exemplary collaboration, Mutual of America Foundation provides U.S. nonprofits a competitive awards program highlighting impactful, scalable models of cross-sector partnership.

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.

Arkansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits seeking internal capacity building—such as staff or board training, technology upgrades, or planning—can access funding through the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis. Established organizations operating in the foundation’s multi-state service area may receive approximately US $15,000 for one-time projects tied to their strategic plan, with a required dollar-for-dollar cash match.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Grant supports nonprofit charitable organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Revenue Code. Established in 2002, the foundation aims to empower groups committed to positive change, fostering respect for life and the environment. Their vision emphasizes collaboration for a better future, encouraging applicants to embody these values in their initiatives. With a focus on impactful projects, this grant is an opportunity for organizations striving to make a critical difference in our world.

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.