Faulkner County Community Foundation
Thanks to the vision of community philanthropists in Faulkner County, Arkansas Community Foundation/Faulkner County opened its doors in 2001 as an affiliate of the statewide Arkansas Community Foundation. In its first year, the initial Board raised $70,000, established one donor-created endowment fund, received 21 grant applications and awarded $10,000 in grants.
As we celebrate our 18th anniversary year, we have 67 funds, assets of $9.57 million and have returned to the community over $744,000 in grants this year and $4.35 million over the last 18 years.
The Community Foundation of Faulkner County supports nonprofit organizations through its educational workshops, grantmaking and philanthropic advice for smart giving.
We support charitable programs and nonprofit agencies already working for Arkansas and also partner with others to create new initiatives that address gaps in our communities.
Grant programs include annual Giving Tree, Hunger Endowment and Grade Level Reading grants. Additionally, the advisory board supports Venture Task Force grants which take traditional grantmaking to the next level by seeking and identifying outstanding groups in our community who are doing important work in the Aspire data pillars of health, education, families and community.
Finally, in Faulkner County, we manage the Jon Robbins Memorial Scholarship, the Toad Suck Get Smart Challenge Scholarship, the Charles and Linda Weaver Scholarship, the Phillip Weaver Scholarship and the Anne Pressly Memorial Scholarship.
Local Giving Tree Grants Support Nonprofits Working in and for Faulkner County
The most recent Faulkner County Giving Tree grants include:
CHI - St. Vincent Interfaith Clinic
City of Conway Police Department
Compass Academy
Conway Ministry Center
Conway Symphony Orchestra
Counseling Associates, dba Haven House
Faulkner County Council of Aging
Milestones Services
Pine Street Backpack Program
University of Central Arkansas Foundation
UCA Foundation for Reynolds Performance Hall
Vilonia School District
Grant Cycles
Spring
Giving Tree Grant Cycle opens Jan.10 and ends Feb. 15. Grants during this cycle are made to support a variety of causes based on changing community needs. All 501c3 nonprofits, schools, churches, hospitals or government agencies that provide services in Faulkner County are encouraged to apply. Grant range from $500 to $10,000. Contact Shelley Mehl for more information on how to apply.
Spring
Stop Hunger Grant Cycle opens Jan.10 and ends Feb. 15. This endowed fund was established in 2009 to address the issue of hunger in Faulkner County. With an initial goal to build a $10,000 endowment fund, the Community Foundation partnered with 501LIFE. An annual campaign involving schoolchildren has raised both awareness and funding for this endowment. The endowment has quickly grown and is now over $71,000. It has awarded seven grants totaling $21,615 to local agencies.There is $2,500 available to award to programs that provide hunger relief in Faulkner County during this grant cycle. You can apply for all or part. Contact Shelley Mehl for more information on how to apply.
Spring
Grade-Level Reading Cycle opens Jan. 10 and ends Feb. 15. Grants during this cycle are specific to programs that should fit into one or more of the focus areas of the Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
- School Readiness (quality early childhood education, home visiting, early health or developmental screening, etc.)
- Classroom instruction (support for teachers to participate in literacy training/workshops, classroom materials, innovative instructional techniques)
- Chronic Absence Prevention (support for families, school-based health centers, etc.)
- Summer Learning Loss Prevention (summer reading programs following evidence-based models)
- Parent and Community Involvement (book delivery, mentoring, support for families, etc.)
These grants should be submitted on the Grade Level Reading online application, not the regular Giving Tree grant application. There is $5,000 available to grant during this cycle.
Board Members
Jennifer Bell
Development Committee Chair
Heather Edwards
Vice Chair
Lesley Graybeal
Grants Committee Chair
Don Greenland
Immediate Past Chair
Lori Quinn
Communications Committee Chair
