Arkansas Income Security and Social Services Grants

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Pulaski, Lonoke, and Saline Counties that deliver programs focused on youth opportunities, financial security, and healthy communities for individuals and families living below the ALICE threshold or the Federal Poverty Line.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

This program provides funding to local organizations in Arkansas to help reduce poverty and support low-income individuals through services like employment, education, housing, nutrition, and health.

This funding opportunity supports Arkansas-based nonprofit organizations focused on projects that promote agricultural and rural community development.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Arkansas, North Texas, and West Texas to support initiatives that assist vulnerable or underserved populations in areas such as education, arts, and community development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that deliver high-quality early childhood education and family services to low-income children and families across multiple states in the U.S.

The Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI) is currently applications for the 2024 Infrastructure Grant Program. Donor Name: Rural Advancement Foundation International State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: RAFI provides support to Historically Underserved farmers and ranchers  for projects that demonstrate an ability to increase farm viability; establish new markets for local products and services; develop new uses for existing structures and equipment; add value to existing farm products through processing, packaging or marketing; make optimal use of on-farm and natural resources; and Cultural/Heritage projects which are focused on preserving and continuing a specific agrarian tradition.  Funding priority will be given to proposals with: High expected impact on farm viability and sustainability Strong project feasibility and planning: a clear plan, detailed budget and timeline, and all supporting documentation included.  Farmers who earn a significant amount of their household income from the farm operation.  Individual financial need, or location in an economically disadvantaged area Project tangibly benefits the surrounding community Farm uses agroecological and/or or ancestral farming practices  Funding Information Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding.  Eligibility Criteria You are a historically underserved farmer or rancher, as defined by NRCS.  You are applying as either an individual farmer owner/co-owner or as a farm cooperative If applying as a cooperative or collaborative, at least 50% of the cooperative or collaborative must meet eligibility criteria.  You are in at least your fourth full growing season of farming and have worked at least two years in your current farming operation and location.  You are a “livelihood” farmer/rancher or are seeking a long term career that financially supports you through agriculture  You complete and submit an application by the deadline. You submit only one application (as an individual or a collective). If you submit more than one application, neither will be considered. You have NOT received a RAFI infrastructure grant before (2020-2023).  Your farm is located in one of the following states AL, AR, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, or VA. For more information, visit RAFI.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) announced up to $10.3 million in funding through the Grid Enhancement Grant. Donor Name: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration State: Arkansas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 07/19/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: DFA is seeking proposals for grid enhancement and resilience projects that will strengthen the resilience of the electric grid and/or reduce the impacts of electric outages in the state.  This program leverages allocated federal funds to enhance and modernize America’s power grid against natural disasters and expand economic development. This funding is provided through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and will be allocated to projects that deliver direct benefits to Arkansans by increasing grid resilience, protecting against outages during natural disasters, and encouraging investments into the state’s grid workforce.  Objectives The funds will be used to enhance the resilience of the electric grid and prevent electric outages by addressing three objectives: Increase the Reliability of the Arkansas Electric Grid – Reduce the frequency with which the grid experiences sustained interruptions and decrease the number of customers impacted by all-hazard events, especially those customers that experience higher-than-average frequency and duration of outages. Achieve Whole Community Impact – Ensure that these Grid funds benefit Arkansans, specifically those who reside in communities that are more susceptible or vulnerable to electric power outages. Support the Development of the State’s Grid Workforce – Support the development of the state’s workforce responsible for grid enhancement projects, potentially by means of offering additional professional development and/or workforce development opportunities. Consider additional efforts to help Arkansas train, attract, and retain a skilled workforce. Eligible Projects and Investments  Through this program, most of the state’s funding will be allocated to projects that strengthen the state’s electric grid through one or more of the following eligible enhancements: Adaptive protection technologies Advanced modeling technologies Fire-resistant technologies and fire prevention systems Hardening of power lines, facilities, substations, or other systems Monitoring and control technologies Relocation of power lines or reconductoring of power lines with low-sag, advanced conductors Replacement of old overhead conductors & underground cables Undergrounding of electrical equipment Use or construction of distributed energy resources (DERs) for enhancing system adaptive capacity during disruptive events, including microgrids and battery-storage subcomponents Utility pole management Vegetation and fuel-load management Weatherization technologies and equipment Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants include all Arkansas electric utilities (e.g., investor-owned electric utilities, electric cooperatives, and municipal electric utilities). Electric grid operator- Maintains reliable and secure operation of the electric grid Electricity storage operator Manages and maintains energy storage system Electricity generator- Generates electricity for public use Transmission owner or operator- Maintains efficient and reliable transmission of electricity from electricity generators to regional/local distribution operators Distribution provider -Operates and manages local and/or regional energy distribution networks Fuel supplier- Supplies fuel used to generate electricity in the state For more information, visit DFA.

The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation’s Community Grant opportunity provides statewide support to communities and nonprofit organizations focusing on oral health education and services to underserved and uninsured Arkansas residents. Donor Name: Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation State: Arkansas County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/20/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding focuses on increasing access to oral health care through community partnerships by funding preventative services and/or treatment for underserved individuals of all ages, ethnicities, genders, and socio-economic statuses in Arkansas. Community Grants support transactional projects and services promoting good oral health practices and increasing access to dental care. Focus Areas  Prevention Provide preventive and basic oral healthcare needs for the community.  Treatment Treat at-risk or low-income populations with oral health conditions.  Grant-Making Focus DDARF Community Grants support projects focused on increasing access to treatment and preventative care, and services promoting good oral health practices. It is the intention that this funding will help organizations do one or more of the following: Provide oral health treatment, education, and disease prevention services Increase access to oral health services for underserved Arkansans Promote collaboration across a wide range of health providers in Arkansas Funding Information Community Grants range from $2,500 up to $40,000 per organization. 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 (template provided in the application) Active collaboration among organizations, schools, and/or healthcare providers Inclusion of diverse groups Referral protocols that link individuals needing dental care with a source of dental care Wrap-around support that links participants to other social services Initiation of oral health programs in counties where none or few exist Funds may be used for Program specific administrative/staffing costs Capital needs (equipment, supplies, one-time expenses) Dental clinic treatment expenses/supplies Programmatic, operational expenses Eligibility Criteria Applicants must be an Arkansas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government agency, school, or charitable dental treatment facility – they do not provide grants to individuals. Typically Not Funded Direct dental staff salaries or payments to cover dental treatment Individuals – grants must be awarded to an eligible organization Fundraising events/sponsorships Private foundations and endowments Reduction of organizational debt Excessive salary costs, travel, or incentives/gifts Programs that discriminate on any basis For more information, visit Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund to advance pollinator conservation. Donor Name: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) State: Selected States County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 07/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The goal of the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators.  The most competitive projects will demonstrate clear benefits to both monarch butterfly and additional at-risk native insect pollinator species (i.e., federally listed, candidate, or proposed native insect pollinator species). Special consideration will be given to projects benefiting rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. Categories Grants will be awarded in two categories:  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands Funding in this category will support implementation of technical assistance to increase the number of private landowners voluntarily engaged in monarch butterfly and pollinator conservation practices on private working lands. Up to $2 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $150,000 to $500,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to three years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. This category aims to support conservation planning and practice design with private landowners to advance voluntary conservation efforts on working lands that align with NRCS Working Lands for Wildlife frameworks or initiatives, and especially increase Working Lands for Wildlife participation among farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. The 2024 Pollinator Fund RFP will support projects that: Direct staff resources to help agricultural producers design and implement conservation practices. Increase Farm Bill program participation and conservation practice implementation among agricultural producers, especially farmers and ranchers in the Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Hiring additional staff or contractors, based on demonstrated need, including staff to assist private landowners and NRCS with developing pollinator habitat management plans and implementation of new and existing NRCS financial assistance contracts. Targeting outreach to landowners and other partners to prioritize, plan, and deliver financial assistance available through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), and other Farm Bill programs to improve pollinator habitat and support at-risk pollinator species. Habitat Improvement Funding in this category will support on-the-ground work to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. Up to $3.1 million is expected to be available for grants ranging from $200,000 to $300,000. Funding will be awarded for projects up to two years in length following finalization of the grant agreement. Applicants in this category should define a step-by-step restoration plan including site preparation, equipment used, planting techniques, size of the project area, description of target native plant community, and maintenance plan (e.g., prescribed burning, mowing, grazing schedules). Projects proposed to benefit other at-risk native insect pollinators should specify habitat needs for those species and how the proposed work will support their breeding, nectaring, nesting, or other habitat needs. Funding in this category will support the following two strategies: Restore and enhance pollinator habitat, with an emphasis on regionally appropriate milkweed and a diversity of native nectar plants. Increase native seed and seedling supply, with an emphasis on improving the sustainability and affordability of regionally appropriate, local ecotypes. Program Priorities  All proposals must specifically address how the proposed project will directly and measurably contribute to the accomplishment of the Pollinator Fund’s goals as outlined in NFWF’s Monarch Butterfly Business Plan. As such, all proposals must provide the number of acres restored or enhanced as a result of the project. Proposals must include plans to restore or enhance a minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states. Acres may be counted from multiple sites; the sites do not need to be contiguous. Since 2015, successful proposals have included a median of 960 acres and an average of 2,120 acres restored or enhanced.  Funding Information The Pollinator Fund will award up to $5.1 million in grants in 2024: up to $2 million for Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands and up to $3.1 million for Habitat Improvement. Funding is provided by Bayer Crop Science, Danone North America, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and U.S. Forest Service (USFS).  Geographical Areas  Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands  Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. Projects are restricted to private working lands. Habitat Improvement Grant funding will be awarded in the following eligible states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Within eligible states, priority will be given to projects located in the North Core, South Core, West Core, and Overwintering Monarch Conservation Units. West of the Rocky Mountains, priority will be given to projects on or adjacent to the following: monarch butterfly overwintering sites, BLM lands, and USFS lands. Eligibility Criteria  Eligible and Ineligible Entities: Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c) organizations, U.S. federal government agencies, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Ineligible applicants include businesses, unincorporated individuals, and international organizations. For more information, visit NFWF.

Grant Name: Regional Touring Program Grants Donor: Mid-America Arts Alliance Location: Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas Grant Type: Grant Deadline: Ongoing Grant Size: Up to $5,000 Details: The Regional Touring Program grants by Mid-America Arts Alliance support presenting organizations in showcasing the work of artists from within the M-AAA region. Presenters can receive up to 50% of the artist's fee for booking an artist listed on a state touring roster and up to 25% for booking an artist from the region not listed on a touring roster. Rural presenters may receive an additional 10% of the artist's fee. Projects must engage regional audiences through exposure, interaction, and outreach engagement. Eligible projects must feature in-region artists from outside the presenter's home state and include public-facing events between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The grant does not cover indirect project costs or expenses associated with benefits or fundraiser events. Eligibility Criteria: Applicant organizations must be tax-exempt non-profit organizations or federally recognized tribal communities incorporated in one or more states in the M-AAA region. They must have a valid EIN and UEI ID and commit to M-AAA's Grantee Assurance of Compliance and Federal Suspension and Disbarment Policy. Organizations may submit a maximum of three applications per fiscal year. For more information, visit M-AAA's website.

UpStart Thrift Store will award competitive grants of up to $5,000 to small business owners in Washington County. The UpStart Thrift Store team will work with the Startup Junkie Foundation leadership to select the awardees based on the merits of their application. If your startup or small business could benefit from such a grant, fill out the application at the link below. Please don't apply unless your business is physically located in Washington County, Arkansas. The grant awards starting at $500 are provided by the sales proceeds derived from efforts of an all volunteer non-profit thrift store called Upstart Thrift that is a program of the 501c3, Startup Junkie Foundation. The intent is to provide a hand up to deserving small businesses in Washington County, Arkansas. Applicants will only be eligible for one award per calendar year. Applications will be reviewed quarterly. The top three candidates will be contacted to conduct a brief interview. Candidates who do not receive a grant are still eligible for funds via Kiva NWA and free consulting from Startup Junkie.