The Arkansas Heritage Grant is administered by the Division of Arkansas Heritage and is designed to support meaningful, community-driven programs and events that celebrate and elevate Arkansas’s rich cultural, historic, and natural heritage. This competitive grant program seeks to increase public awareness, enhance community engagement, and foster lasting educational and tourism-based initiatives that reflect authentic Arkansas values and experiences.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and community-based groups that demonstrate a strong relationship with their local community and a capacity to implement Arkansas heritage-related projects. Government agencies and for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply directly, although collaborative efforts involving such entities—especially through friends groups—are permitted. Proposed projects should align with the Division’s mission of preserving and presenting Arkansas’s heritage and must fall within the program’s defined funding priorities.
The maximum grant award is $5,000. Funds may be used for contracted personnel, travel for non-staff participants, and heritage-related project components such as curriculum tools, exhibitions, recurring festivals, or roadside displays. However, grant funds cannot be used for infrastructure, staff salaries, operating costs, or projects that do not produce a lasting community benefit. Academic research is only eligible if it results in a tangible product that is shareable with the broader public.
Applications for the 2025 cycle open in January and must be submitted online by November 10, 2025. The submission process includes completing a project overview, description and justification, budget sheet, and agreement form. Applicants should use concise responses and ensure all required fields are addressed. Evaluations are conducted by a panel of Division staff, with notifications issued within 60 days of the deadline. Award checks are distributed the following month.
Award recipients are expected to complete their projects within one year of award and submit a final report, including photos, expense tracking, and letters to legislators. Future funding eligibility depends on timely and complete reporting. Applicants with questions should contact Debra Fithen, DAH Grants Manager, at Debra.Fithen@Arkansas.gov or 501-324-9158.
Keep responses concise and complete. Emphasize lasting community value and use clear, verified budgets. Collaborate with local partners and tie outcomes to tourism or educational use.
