Arkansas Workforce Development Grants

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers with employment services, training, and housing solutions.

This initiative provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations, local governments, and Tribal governments in coal-impacted communities to develop and scale innovative economic projects that create job opportunities and foster local economic transformation.

This funding opportunity is designed to strengthen research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by supporting collaborations among academic institutions, government agencies, and private industry to develop sustainable research infrastructure.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in communities served by Union Pacific to support projects that enhance community safety, workforce development, and overall community vitality.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Faulkner, Conway, Perry, and Van Buren counties to enhance community programs focused on education, financial stability, health, and resilience for underserved populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to not-for-profit organizations serving low-income communities in Jonesboro, Arkansas, for new or expanded public services and infrastructure improvements.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects that improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities in states with historically low participation rates, encouraging collaboration and sustainable solutions.

This program provides $40 million in funding over three years to support projects that improve environmental health and resilience in historically marginalized communities across EPA Region 6.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

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 Mid-America Arts Alliance is accepting applications for Creative Impact Award. Donor Name: Mid-America Arts Alliance State: Arkansas County: Benton County (AR), Carroll County (AR), Crawford County (AR), Sebastian County (AR), Washington County (AR) Type of Grant: Awards and Prizes Deadline: 05/24/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Artists 360 is designed to elevate and energize greater Northwest Arkansas artists by providing them with: grants to support creative practices; learning opportunities to develop entrepreneurship skills; and connections to a dynamic regional artist network. The Artists 360 Creative Impact Award provides one exceptional artist based in Northwest Arkansas with unrestricted funds of $25,000 and professional development opportunities, including retreats that facilitate network building. This award is designed to strengthen the artist’s career and deepen the arts community in Northwest Arkansas through participation in the Artists 360 Retreat, conversations with the Artists 360 peer network, and at the annual Full Circle Showcase. Eligibility Criteria  To be eligible for the Artists 360 Creative Impact Award, you must: Be considered mid-career or established in your artistic practice. Make exceptional work and be recognized as a professional in your field both within Arkansas and nationally. Have noted contributions to Northwest Arkansas’s cultural ecosystem. Be without access to longstanding institutional support and resources. Be committed to building and supporting the arts community in Northwest Arkansas. Create work that may come from any artistic discipline, including but not limited to dance, film, folk, music, theatre, and visual art. Commit to participating in peer-to-peer professional development activities during the grant year, including: the Artists 360 Retreat at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR from 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 through 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 (meals and private lodging provided); the Artists 360 Alumni Retreat at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR on Saturday, April 26, 2025 and give a 60-minute keynote presentation about their art practice with Q&A (meals and private lodging provided); and the Artists 360 Full Circle Showcase at Crystal Bridges in Bentonville, AR on Sunday, April 27, 2025 and give a 10-minute workshare presentation (meals and private lodging provided). Be a resident of the State of Arkansas and have established residency of at least one year at the time of application in one of the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, or Washington. Retain residency within the five-county region for the duration of the award period (October 2024 through October 2025). Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have non-resident status and provide a valid Social Security Number if selected for funding. May not be currently enrolled in a degree seeking program. May not have previously received an Artists 360 Creative Impact award. May not have received a grant or award of $1,000 or more through any other M-AAA granting program during its 2024 or 2025 fiscal years (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025). Not be a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance or an immediate family member of a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Review Criteria  Creative Impact awards will be reviewed using the following criteria: Artistry: Selected artists will demonstrate a high level of artistic excellence and show a deep commitment to their work. Selected artists will be advanced in their practice, considered mid-career or established, make exceptional work, and be recognized as a professional in their field both within Arkansas and nationally. Community Impact: Selected artists will have noted contributions to the Northwest Arkansas cultural ecosystem and have a history of commitment to building and supporting the arts community in Northwest Arkansas. Leadership: Selected artists will have a vision for using this opportunity to provide leadership and mentorship in the further development of the Northwest Arkansas artistic community. For more information, visit Mid-America Arts Alliance.

The Mid-America Arts Alliance is excited to announce the Community Activator Grants. Donor Name: Mid-America Arts Alliance State: Arkansas County: Benton County (AR), Carroll County (AR), Crawford County (AR), Sebastian County (AR), Washington County (AR) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This grant program is designed to elevate and energize greater Northwest Arkansas artists by providing them with: $17,500 grants to creative practices and career advancement; Peer-based learning opportunities to develop entrepreneurship skills and build sustainable creative practices; and Connections to a dynamic regional artist network. The Community Activator grants are awarded annually to five individual artists with creative practices focused on collaboration. Fellows in this category must have a demonstrated history of providing opportunities to other artists, helping to create an active community of peer support in the Northwest Arkansas region. Community Activator fellows receive practice-based financial support and participate in peer-based learning experiences, including an in-person retreat, One-On-One mentorship, and small group discussions. These experiences develop entrepreneurial skills, while expanding a network of leading regional artists. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the Artists 360 Community Activator program, you must: Be a resident of the State of Arkansas and have established residency of at least one year at the time of application, in one of the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, or Washington. Retain residency within the five-county region for the duration of the grant period (October 2024 through October 2025). Commit to participating in peer-to-peer professional development activities during the grant year, including the Artists 360 Retreat at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR from 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 through 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 (meals and private lodging provided). Be 18 years of age at the time of application. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have non-resident status and provide a valid Social Security Number if selected for funding. Be a practicing artist that creates work in any discipline, including, but not limited to dance, film, literary, music, theatre, and visual art. Show a demonstrated commitment to building and supporting the arts community in Northwest Arkansas through collaboration, providing opportunities to other artists, and community engagement. May not be currently enrolled in a degree seeking program. May not have previously received an Artists 360 Community Activator grant. May not have received a grant or award of $1,000 or more through any other M-AAA granting program during its 2024 or 2025 fiscal years (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025). Not be a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance or an immediate family member of a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Review Criteria  Community Activator Grants will be reviewed using the following criteria: Artistry: Selected artists will demonstrate artistic excellence, broadly defined by the practitioners and norms in their discipline, and show a deep commitment to their work. Selected artists will have an active creative practice for a minimum of three years and show motivation to continue and further evolve. Collaboration: Selected artists have a demonstrated history of collaboration, providing opportunities to other artists, and helping to create an active community of peer support in the Northwest Arkansas region. Program Readiness: Selected artists will have the desire to advance their career and deepen their practice, engage in an active strategic management process surrounding their practice, as well as an interest in sharing their work and process as part of a network of artists in a peer learning environment. Impact of Funding on Practice: Selected artists will clearly identify the ways in which Artists 360 funds will impact their careers and creative practices. These identified impacts should relate to previous challenges and/or desired futures. Balanced Cohort: The overall balance of the group of fellows will be considered to ensure a broad representation of perspectives, disciplines, and experiences For more information, visit Mid-America Arts Alliance.

The Mid-America Arts Alliance is seeking applications for its Practicing Artist Grants to support creative practices and career advancement. Donor Name: Mid-America Arts Alliance State: Arkansas County: Benton County (AR), Carroll County (AR), Crawford County (AR), Sebastian County (AR), Washington County (AR) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Artists 360 is designed to elevate and energize greater Northwest Arkansas Practicing Artists by providing them with: $10,000 grants to support creative practices and career advancement; Peer-based learning experiences to develop entrepreneurship skills and build enduring creative practices; and Connections to a dynamic regional artist network. Fifteen practice-based grants are awarded annually. Practicing Artist fellows receive financial support they may self-select how to best use. Funds may be used for any purpose that supports the continued development of their creative practice, including but not limited to equipment, travel, studio space, child care, professional services, research, supplies, and contingency savings. Fellows participate in peer-based learning experiences, including an in-person retreat, One-On-One mentorship, and ongoing small peer group discussions. These experiences develop entrepreneurial skills, while expanding a network of leading regional artists. What is a ‘Practicing Artist?’ A Practicing Artist will have an active and current artistic practice. Has specialized training in the field (not limited to academic training). Has demonstrated success in the arts through the creation of high-quality work and/or contributions to the field. Is recognized as a practicing artist by peers (artists working in the same discipline and by experts in the field). Eligibility Requirements  To be eligible for the Artists 360 Practicing Artist Grant program, you must: Be a resident of the State of Arkansas and have established residency of at least one year at the time of application, in one of the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, or Washington. Retain residency within the five-county region for the duration of the grant period (October 2024 through October 2025). Commit to participating in peer-to-peer professional development activities during the grant year, including the Artists 360 Retreat at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR from 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 through 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 (meals and private lodging provided). Be 18 years of age at the time of application. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have non-resident status and provide a valid Social Security Number if selected for funding. Be a practicing artist that creates work in any discipline, including, but not limited to dance, film, literary, music, theatre, and visual art. May not be currently enrolled in a degree seeking program. May not have previously received an Artists 360 Practicing Artist grant. May not have received a grant or award of $1,000 or more through any other M-AAA granting program during its 2024 or 2025 fiscal years (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025). Not be a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance or an immediate family member of a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Review Criteria  Practicing Artist grants will be reviewed using the following criteria: Artistry: Selected artists will demonstrate artistic excellence, broadly defined by the practitioners and norms in their discipline, and show a deep commitment to their work. Selected artists will have an active creative practice for a minimum of three years and show motivation to continue and further evolve. Program Readiness: Selected artists will have the desire to advance their career and deepen their practice, engage in an active strategic management process surrounding their practice, as well as an interest in sharing their work and process as part of a network of artists in a peer learning environment. Impact of Funding on Practice: Selected artists will clearly identify the ways in which Artists 360 funds will impact their careers and creative practices. These identified impacts should relate to previous challenges and/or desired futures. Balanced Cohort: The overall balance of the group of fellows will be considered to ensure a broad representation of perspectives, disciplines, and experiences. For more information, visit Mid-America Arts Alliance.

The Mid-America Arts Alliance is seeking applications for its Graduate Student Artist Grants. Donor Name: Mid-America Arts Alliance State: Arkansas County: Benton County (AR), Carroll County (AR), Crawford County (AR), Sebastian County (AR), Washington County (AR) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Artists 360 is designed to elevate and energize greater Northwest Arkansas Graduate Student Artists by providing them with: $5,000 grants to support creative practices and career advancement; Peer-based learning experiences to develop entrepreneurship skills and build enduring creative practices; and Connections to a dynamic regional artist network. Five practice-based grants are awarded annually. Graduate Student Artist fellows receive financial support they may self-select how to best use. Funds may be used for any purpose that supports the continued development of their creative practice, including but not limited to equipment, travel, studio space, child care, professional services, research, supplies, and contingency savings. Fellows participate in peer-based learning experiences, including an in-person retreat, One-On-One mentorship, and ongoing small peer group discussions. These experiences develop entrepreneurial skills, while expanding a network of leading regional artists. Eligibility Requirements To be eligible for the Artists 360 Graduate Student Artist Grant program, you must: Be enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year (part-time or full-time) in a graduate program at an accredited post-secondary institution located in one of the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, or Washington. (Graduate Student Artists do not have to be arts majors to be eligible for Artists 360.) Be 18 years of age at the time of application. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have non-resident status and provide a valid Social Security Number if selected for funding. Create work in any artistic discipline, including, but not limited to dance, film, literary, music, theatre, and visual art. Commit to participating in peer-to-peer professional development activities during the grant year, including the Artists 360 Retreat at the 21C Museum Hotel in Bentonville, AR from 9:00 a.m. Saturday, October 19, 2024 through 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, 2024 (meals and private lodging provided). May not have previously received an Artists 360 Graduate Student Grant. May not have received a grant or award of $1,000 or more through any other M-AAA granting program during its 2024 or 2025 fiscal years (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025). Not be a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance or an immediate family member of a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Review Criteria  Graduate Student Artist grants will be reviewed using the following criteria: Artistry: Selected artists will demonstrate artistic excellence, broadly defined by the practitioners and norms in their discipline, and show a deep commitment to their work. Selected artists will have an active creative practice for a minimum of three years and show motivation to continue and further evolve. Program Readiness and Collegiality: Selected artists will have the desire to advance their career and deepen their practice, engage in an active strategic management process surrounding their practice, as well as an interest in sharing their work and process as part of a network of artists in a peer learning environment. Impact of Funding on Practice: Selected artists will clearly identify the ways in which Artists 360 funds will impact their careers and creative practices. These identified impacts should relate to previous challenges and/or desired futures. Balanced Cohort: The overall balance of the group of fellows will be considered to ensure a broad representation of perspectives, disciplines, and experiences. For more information, visit Mid-America Arts Alliance.

The Mid-America Arts Alliance is accepting applications for its Undergraduate Student Artist Grants. Donor Name: Mid-America Arts Alliance State: Arkansas County: Benton County (AR), Carroll County (AR), Crawford County (AR), Sebastian County (AR), Washington County (AR) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Artists 360, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance made possible through the support of the Walton Family Foundation, provides practice-based grant funding to undergraduate student artists of all disciplines attending a post-secondary institution in the Arkansas counties of Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, and Washington. Artists 360 is designed to elevate and energize greater Northwest Arkansas Student Artists by providing them with: $2,500 grants to support creative practices and career advancement. Eligibility Requirements  To be eligible for the Artists 360 Undergraduate Student Artist Grant program, you must: Be enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year (part-time or full-time) in an undergraduate program at an accredited post-secondary institution located in one of the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Crawford, Sebastian, or Washington. (Undergraduate student artists do not have to be arts majors to be eligible for Artists 360.) Be 18 years of age at the time of application. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or have non-resident status and provide a valid Social Security Number if selected for funding. Create work in any artistic discipline, including, but not limited to dance, film, literary, music, theatre, and visual art. May not have previously received an Artists 360 Student Grant. May not have received a grant or award of $1,000 or more through any other M-AAA granting program during its 2024 or 2025 fiscal years (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2025). Not be a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance or an immediate family member of a full-time employee of Mid-America Arts Alliance. Review Criteria  Undergraduate Student Artist Grants will be reviewed using the following criteria: Artistry: Selected artists will demonstrate a well-developed creative practice in both work and process and show a deep commitment to their work. Selected artists will show motivation to continue and further evolve. Impact of Funding on Practice: Selected artists will identify the ways they initially anticipate the Artists 360 funds will impact their careers and creative practices. These impacts should relate to self-identified challenges and/or desired futures. Balanced Cohort: The overall balance of the group of fellows will be considered to ensure a broad representation of perspectives, disciplines, and experiences. For more information, visit Mid-America Arts Alliance.

The 2024 States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP), announced by the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), seeks applications for grants to target federal resources toward communities in the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions. With a focus on economically distressed counties and parishes, SEDAP aims to invest in community-based and regional projects across four congressionally mandated funding categories: basic public infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, business development with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The program is designed to encourage job creation, regional collaboration, and funding partnerships, leveraging a total of $16,930,642, allocated across the eight-state DRA region with awards ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 depending on project type and application score.