The aims to advance and empower the arts for the benefit of all Arkansans by providing services and funding for programs that encourage and assist literary, performing, and visual artists, organizations, and other providers of cultural and educational programs. For available grants please visit their website听
The 听strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations, and communities throughout our region and beyond. We achieve this primarily through our national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development, and strategic grant making. The organization is especially committed to enriching the cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services. The Alliance supports and stimulates cultural activity in communities throughout Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. M-AAA creates and manages regional, multi-regional, national, and international programs including traveling exhibitions, performing arts touring, and professional and community development. You can view the M-AAA’s .
The 听offers up to $10,000 for new public art installation. Applicants must be accredited Main Street programs or Arkansas Downtown Network programs. The public art installations can include, but are not limited to, murals, sculptures, paintings, etc. Funds must have a 1:1 cash match.
The , in partnership with (Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange), invited small arts nonprofits state-wide to apply to the听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). The purpose of this grant is to provide small arts organizations with听2-years of general operating support.听Priority consideration will be given to organizations led by or prioritizing programs for Black, Indigenous and other People of Color, and to geographic diversity among the grant recipient organizations.
The has compiled an extensive list of available grants related to all aspects of education. Additionally, ADE provides training on grant writing for interested Arkansas educators.
The Arkansas Game and Fish provide funds for wildlife education and conservation. The grants may also be use to fund archery and trap programs, travel expenses to AGFC nature centers, and outdoor facilities. Amount of funds depend on county.
grants provides schools funds and resources to encourage arts within the school curriculum and in after-school and summer programs.
听connects Arkansas families with information and care that helps their children experience a safe, happy, healthy childhood. Better Beginnings is designed to improve the level of quality in childcare and early childhood education programs across the state.
听has provided leadership, research, and advocacy to promote wide-ranging reforms that have improved the lives of Arkansas children. They have听been a leader in making quality early childhood education available to all lower-income families and advocating for after-school and summer programs.
strives to increase equity and achieve increases in student achievement and economic prosperity for Arkansas.
promotes positive relationships between educators, children, and their families. The organization听facilitates the acquisition of new skills using dynamic and innovative models.
K-12 Literacy
听is focused on building a reliable resource grid, where all Arkansas families and communities have what they need to help children thrive. Excel By Eight provides parenting resources, access to book, after school programs, child and family centered healthcare, and many more valuable resources.
accepts requests for up to $1,000 in all program areas: arts and culture; community improvement/enrichment; economic development, education/literacy, environment and healthy families. Applications may be submitted online at any time.
After-School Program
provides information and resources for after-school programs.
provides information on running a program, keeping current, and planning activities along with other resources.
provides resources for information on out of school programs in the state.
offers a resource guide for planning and operating after-school programs.
provides resources and links to other information for after-school programs.
Charter Schools听
are funded by the Walton Family Foundation; the application process is extensive and interested parties should thoroughly review guidelines.听听
Child Wellness
is a VSP charity that provides free vision exams and glasses to low-income, uninsured children. The program operates nationally through a network of community partners who identify children in need and VSP network doctors who provide the eyecare services. Applications are accepted all year.
The听 (ABPC) partners with听听in providing vital capacity building support for Black-led nonprofit organizations across Arkansas. Black-led nonprofits will have full access to Resilia鈥檚 capacity-building platform and resources.
In partnership with the , offers match funding opportunities to nonprofits in Northwest Arkansas!听Donations will be matched up to $15,000 for projects that leverage or improve public spaces in Arkansas鈥� Benton and Washington counties that are led by residents or small local nonprofits.
helps provide a support system for Arkansas nonprofits working to create positive change for underserved populations. Grants are awarded to programs that benefit African American or other underserved populations in Arkansas. Nonprofits with programs focusing on education, health and wellness, youth development, strengthening families, and economic development are eligible to apply. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $2,500. You can learn more .
The offers at each of their 29 affiliate offices. The offices make annual grants through a competitive process to support a variety of causes. Committees of local leaders in each community determine the best use of their Giving Tree funds.听These grants are managed locally by participating affiliate offices.
Economic Development听
(AEDC) offers and 听programs to听facilitate competitive financing options to assist businesses with the purchase of land, buildings, technology and equipment to expand operations and provide substantial employment opportunities in Arkansas.
provides low-cost financing and other assistance for small businesses, government, and low to moderate income housing development, healthcare, education and agricultural business. ADFA offers programs such as: ,听, and the . ADFA also offers .
听from Arkansas Institutional Fund increases the availability of equity and near equity capital for emerging, expanding, relocating, and restructuring enterprises in Arkansas.
听provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) assists beginning farmers acquire agricultural property at lower interest rates.
听provides a forum for farmers and lenders to resolve loan debt service payment problems.
听offers loans for new business start up or expansion in the tourism industry.
is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial system in Central Arkansas by empowering entrepreneurs, makers, and inventors. The Conductor provides free services and resources to entrepreneurs to reduce barriers and increase the economic impact of entrepreneurs in Arkansas.
Businesses
The 听provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise to small businesses.听The SBA Arkansas District serves Arkansas with locations in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas. Visit the听SBA鈥檚 Resource Guide for Arkansas .
The works with small and large Arkansas based companies that would like to sell their goods or听services to听federal, state or local government agencies.听 Program Associates can train you and your business associates how to navigate the government procurement process.听 APAC collaborates with other agencies in order to ensure the overall economic well-being of the State of Arkansas.听 Most of the services are free to clients!
andprovide non-profit business loans.
offers free small business advice.
Minority and Women-Owned Businesses听
The allows minority and women-owned business to be certified by the State of Arkansas. Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises will receive increasing opportunities with the State of Arkansas, an official certificate, and designation as a “Certified Minority and Women-Owned Business” in the Directory. There is no cost to apply for certification as a Minority and Women-Owned Business.
Click to search the Minority and Women-Owned Business Directory.
The Minority Business Loan Mobilization Guaranty Program helps Arkansas state-certified minority businesses with loan guarantees from $10,000 up to $100,000.
Incentives
The听 听offers a state income tax credit for job creation based on the payroll of new, full-time, permanent employees hired as a result of the project.
The provides state and local sales and use tax refunds on building materials, taxable machinery, or other equipment related to the construction, modernization, or improvement to an eligible new or expanding business.
The offers tax incentives for businesses that provide childcare for their employees.
The provides a 30% state income tax credit to eligible companies for reimbursements they make on behalf of employees for approved educational expenses.
Arkansas’ job-creation incentives are based on payroll and use a tier system based on poverty rate, unemployment rate, per capita personal income, and population growth to determine qualification criteria and benefits. See the Arkansas Incentives Tier Map .
Click for a complete list of business incentives.
The supports Farmers鈥� Markets and locally grown foods through a website hosted by the AAD in which individuals may market foods to consumers free of charge.听For more information visit
The offers a wide range of services to communities through and opportunities.
is administered by ADH and provides training to community leaders for the development of local community health programs.
is administered by ADH and promotes the development of community-based health care services through community training and grant assistance.听For more information visit or call ADH at 501-661-2000.
The offers a variety of programs to assist individual and communities with healthcare, food services, employment, volunteerism/service learning and community development.
The ‘s听mission is to improve the health of all Arkansas communities by increasing physical activity and healthy eating to reduce and prevent obesity. Visit their website for helpful information, workshops, and tips.
advances听the health of Arkansans through evidence-based research, public issue advocacy, and collaborative program development.
is a mobile medical unit used to improve the quality of health through health services and education in rural, under-served communities in the Mississippi Delta Region. The Delta Care-a-van makes regular stops in communities throughout Arkansas and the Delta to provide preventive health services free of cost.
听is a coalition of 14 rural hospital members spanning southeast Arkansas striving to create and implement sustainable community solutions to improve the healthcare infrastructure and strengthen healthcare delivery in rural Arkansas.
is designed to serve youth and adults who have not received opioid and substance abuse awareness education and resources in Baxter, Fulton, Izard, Sharp and Stone counties.
collects expired or unused medications through its Drug Take Back programs to create better and healthier communities. Arkansas Take Back provides grants for prevention measures, opioid education, and resources for those with an opioid addiction.
听aims to provide all minority Arkansans equitable access to preventive health care and to seek ways to promote health and prevent diseases and conditions that are prevalent among minority populations.
The Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention’s program allows听Arkansas mayors to share their successes, lessons learned, and best practices with their colleagues across the state to grow healthy communities. Click here to see the for resources to help you grow a healthy economy.
(GHC) is an initiative of the Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention (ArCOP). Since 2010, the Coalition has been helping Arkansas communities build capacity to reduce obesity by increasing access to physical activity and healthy foods, as well as implementing policy, system and environmental changes that support healthy living.
The serves markets in Arkansas听by providing a forum where managers can network and receive the latest information, education and research,听and by advocating on behalf of Arkansas farmers.
, through some of its agencies, makes Arkansas grants available for historic preservation and the arts, as well as Heritage Month events.
:听Main Street Downtown Revitalization Grant to fix up downtowns. $5,000 to $10,000.听Model Business Grants provide matching funds for improvements at a local business听that then serves as an example for other downtown businesses to emulate听Two Historic Preservation Restoration Grant options are available for rehabilitation of听historic structures in Arkansas. One grant offers a maximum of $10,000 and the other听offers a minimum of $10,000.听County Courthouse Restoration Subgrant 鈥� Total available to share among applicants听per year is $150,000 – $1,000,000.听Contact Joia Burton, 501-324-9880 or visit the AHPP website at听www.arkansaspreservation.org/ and click on 鈥楶reservation Services鈥� and then 鈥楪rants鈥�.
The focuses on promoting a balance between development and environmental protection and preserving Arkansas’s natural biological diversity and natural heritage. The Commission aims to deepen the ecological literacy through and provide long-term protection to some of the state’s most ecologically significant areas.
听supplements the advertising of festivals run by small cities or communities with minimal advertising funds. Incorporated Arkansas cities with a population of less than 10,500 or unincorporated communities are eligible to apply. To apply click or .
manages the Community Development Block Grant program for the State of Arkansas.听 This federally funded program provides funds for communities with at least 51% low to moderate income population.听For more information visit 听听or call 501-682-1121.
funds several programs to assist communities with infrastructure and training.
鈥� Helps fund permanent repair solutions to sites that have had repetitive damage from natural causes such as flooding, wind or earthquakes. Cap on projects – $150,000.00 – 50% state – 50% local.
– designed to address the Homeland Security and response capabilities in Arkansas by providing specific equipment and training to first responders and state agencies.
– reimburses certain eligible expenses, under program guidelines, to support state and local emergency management costs. Requires 50% non-federal match.
Act 833 money – Act 833 funds are to be used for training, firefighting equipment, and initial capital construction or improvements of fire departments.听For more information visit or call 501-683-6700.
provides land/forestry management training and assistance to community leaders.听 Also the AFC provides training and 50/50 matching grant funds for volunteer fire fighting departments.
offers a variety of programs working to sustain Arkansas highways and scenic beauty.
听is a volunteer program to reduce litter.
The听听seeks to document and preserve historic bridges
The听听reimbursement grant funding for the construction of trails by communities in Arkansas.
provides programming and grant opportunities such as:
- – Arkansas city and county governments may apply for annual competitive grants that maybe used acquire park land and/or develop public outdoor recreation facilities. Maximum grant amount is $250,000
- – Arkansas cities with a population of 2500 persons or less (unincorporated rural areas must apply through the county) may apply for to develop a localities first park with basic recreation facilities. No match required.
- – Helps communities conduct tourism studies. Maximum grant amount is $15,000 with a 50/50 cash match.
For more information and applications visit or contact Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism by phone: 501-682-1301.
provides grants for basic public transportation, public infrastructure and business development.
听from the Arkansas Highway Department provides听our types of funding to help improve logistics of children going to school.
The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is administering the to redevelop properties with either real or perceived hazardous substance contamination. ADEQ hopes to encourage the development of brownfield as a sustainable land use policy and to discourage the development of Greenfields or pristine properties in the State of Arkansas.
听houses a variety of data (maps, boundaries, environment, health, farming, tools, utilities, ect.).听Arkansas GIS Office is also involved in numerous programs.
The ‘s mission is to听advance a common goal by the various agencies and institutions of state, federal, county, and local governments to acquire, apply, and share Geographic Information (GIS) automation technologies to the productive and economic benefit of the State of Arkansas.
听offers the following programs:
- 鈥� Provides grants to obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other resources needed to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.
- – Support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. Examples of the types of projects supported by FP&S include fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile firesetter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs.
- provides funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations听to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, “front line” firefighters available in their communities. The goal of SAFER is to enhance the local fire departments’ abilities to comply with staffing, response and operational standards.
听provides at a small cost Federal Surplus vehicles and equipment including trucks, desks, protective equipment, hose, generators, compressors, chairs, etc., to fire departments or other government entities
strives to empower Arkansas communities through service. This program works through AmeriCorps and allows adults to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups throughout Arkansas communities.
is a unique program designed to take a comprehensive view of the economic and political challenges that face this State. First introduced in 2005 by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, our staff, with the guidance of the organizations鈥� Boards and Executive Committees, recruits highly-motivated individuals to experience first-hand the dynamic interactions between cities, industries, governmental units and the people they serve.
is a life-changing event for emerging Arkansas leaders from rural and urban communities. The goal is to increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of the economic and social changes affecting our state through the practical application of leadership skills and development of expertise to address critical problems facing their communities.
The training is focused on basic skills in communications, interpersonal relations, networking, economics, policy formation, role of government, and social and cultural understanding. Men and women in this program explore the legislative process; the long-term effects of our government’s agriculture, trade, and economic policies; and current issues facing our state in education, health, water, economic development, and criminal justice.
organizes the听Delta Leadership Institute Executive Academy, a year-long leadership development program for regional leaders that prepares them to collaborate and address the most-pressing issues of the Delta region. Each of the eight governors and the federal co-chairman nominate community leaders for the program, resulting in an annual class of 50 Delta leaders.
The is a nationally recognized statewide partnership of 51 organizations across the state. The Academy develops leadership skills that bring coherence for everyone in understanding transformational and sustainable system change by managing system components within the big picture. We embrace and model a collaborative learning and work culture to facilitate the development of high-performing individuals and organizations and concentrate on developing adult leadership and learning as strategic drivers for improving statewide learning and performance.
The provides community leaders at all levels of government an in-depth introduction into the fundamentals of community and economic development. This course focuses on strategies and practices that allow leaders to prepare for challenges to economic growth.
represents professional and career economic developers in Arkansas. The organization aims to develop employment opportunities within rural and urban communities through community and economic development.
Arkansas Rural Development Conference attracts many leaders across all levels of government and provides participants with information regarding programs and services available to assist communities with development, planning, and revitalization efforts. For more information please message听RuralServices@ArkansasEDC.com
The aims to听connect municipal officials from across the state to discuss problems of common interest and to learn of new developments and techniques in local government and public administration.
is a next-generation strategic planning and development program of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service with partners in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Message听mpeterson@uaex.edu for more information.
is a nonprofit organization that strives to advance community development by publishing community development information and promoting community development research and citizen participation.
The supports Farmers鈥� Markets and locally grown foods through a website hosted by the AAD in which individuals may market foods to consumers free of charge.听For more information visit
manages the Community Development Block Grant program for the State of Arkansas.听 This federally funded program provides funds for communities with at least 51% low to moderate income population.听For more information visit 听听or call 501-682-1121
provides land/forestry management training and assistance to community leaders.听 Also the AFC provides training and 50/50 matching grant funds for volunteer fire fighting departments.
The offers a wide range of services to communities through training programs and grant opportunities.
is administered by ADH and provides training to community leaders for the development of local community health programs.
is administered by ADH and promotes the development of community-based health care services through community training and grant assistance.
:听Community Programs – Grant funds and loans for essential public community facilities in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation.听Contact Stephen Lagasse at (501) 301-3267, email Stephen.Lagasse@ar.usda.gov or visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/ar/
works to aid rural communities in economic development and community enhancement.
听is a member of the National Rural Community Assistance Program Network. CRG helps low-income rural communities construct, operate and maintain public drinking water and waste disposal facilities. Technical assistance is provided at no cost to communities. This assistance includes compliance with drinking water or pollution control regulations, financing access, development of your project, education to local officials to ensure programs meet federal and state requirements, and training through continuous newsletters.
is an organization of grassroots organizations in Arkansas that focus on helping rural communities.
provide technical support and services to local governments.
provide technical assistance and grant support for natural-resource-related projects.
Grant Opportunities:
Rural Community Development Grant Program/Rural Fire Protection Grant Program
Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under this program. The match ratio on the program is 50/50. Communities wishing to apply for projects under the program must provide one half of the cost of the project as match. Match may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials or cash and must be available at the time of application. Applications for this program are accepted August through March of each year. Communities in the past have received funding for baseball/softball fields, community centers, walking tracks, park and playground equipment, pavilions, picnic tables, and library shelving.听 Fire departments have received funding for new fire stations, additional bays for existing stations, turn-out gear, communications equipment, fire trucks, SCBA’s, extrication equipment and brush trucks.
Rural Services Block Grant Program
The RSBGP funds new construction or renovation of community centers, fire stations, or multi-purpose buildings, and the purchase of fire trucks (pumper, tanker, brush or certain service trucks). This grant is made possible through a partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission.
Applicants are eligible for up to $75,000.听 The match for this grant is 10% and may be comprised of in-kind labor, in-kind materials or cash.
Grants are available to incorporated towns and rural communities with a population of less than 3,000.
Additionally, the community population must be at least 51% Low to Moderate income.
NOTE: If your community is not listed on the LMI Percentages by County and City 2000 Census list OR your community has not already completed an LMI Survey, you will be required to conduct an LMI Survey to determine your community鈥檚 eligibility. You can request information about conducting an LMI Survey by emailing Rural.Arkansas@arkansas.gov or calling 1-888-787-2527.
Rural Community Development Grant
Funds projects for communities with population听less than 3,000. Maximum of $15,000 with 50% match. Eligible projects include, but are听not limited to, construction or renovation of community centers, baseball/softball fields,听walking tracks, park and playground equipment, pavilions and community beautification听projects. Visit www.arkansas.gov/drs for an application or contact the DRS RCGP听Coordinator at 1-888-787-2527 or 501-682-6011.
County Fair Building Grant Program
County fairs located in counties with a population of less than 55,000 are eligible for up to $4,000 per fiscal year for construction, renovation or general improvements of county fair buildings or purchase of items shown to directly improve the building or the services that the county fair association may provide.
To see the improvements made with past funding
Department of Rural Services County Fair Building Grant
County Fair Associations located in counties of less than 55,000 in population are eligible for up to $4,000 for general improvement projects. Match ratio is 50/50. Visit for application or contact a DRS County Fair Building Grant coordinator at 1-888-787-2527.
- Fair Construction Funds – Used by various fair associations for construction, repairing and improving the facilities and paying existing indebtedness incurred for such purposes. Funding range is $0 – 847,200.
- Fair Premium Funds – Used by 82 fair associations for the purpose of paying awards to exhibitors on approved entry classifications. Funding range is $ 0 – $676,430.
helps develop farmers鈥� markets and assists in the marketing of agriculture-related products.
offers the Healthy Communities Program.
runs the Main Street Program and awards historic preservation grants and services.
is involved in educational issues within communities.
supports tourism development at the state and community level, operates the state parks system. Parks and Tourism also offers a variety of grants.
holds the Arkansas Rural Development conference and offers grant programs for rural communities.
loans to businesses and for housing.
has community volunteer and recognition programs.
is the main contact for economic development in the state and has a variety of energy programs.
performs GIS related work for the state.
offers grants and support for technology-based businesses.
offers a variety of technological services to communities such as data center and server hosting, network services (Internet connectivity), operational services (high volume printing), project management, website development, and data storage,
For more information visit or call ADIS at 501-682-2701.
is听an affiliate of The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group and was established in 2013; it is dedicated to providing business and financial institutions with geospatial intelligence for placing capital in the marketplace through discovery of previously unknown business opportunities.
manages the website for AR state government, develops websites for counties.
supports technology-based entrepreneurship.
strives to make Arkansas a leader in the transformation of existing industries through the application of data analytics, integration of technical and business skills, advancement of talent pipelines and ongoing upgrades to relevant workforce skills.
Arkansas Coding Academy provides individuals with the skills and mentorship to succeed in the technology industry.
helps small businesses across the state with a variety of services.
is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive entrepreneurial system in Central Arkansas by empowering entrepreneurs, makers, and inventors. Conductor provides free services and resources to entrepreneurs to reduce barriers and increase the economic impact of entrepreneurs in Arkansas.
AEDC provides grants, investments, and tax incentives to support the growth of innovative businesses that provide high tech, high wage, and high skill jobs and tech-based startup companies. The following resources are available: