Tornado Recovery Grants

Arkansas Community Foundation’s Disaster Recovery Fund was activated in the wake of the tornados that hit central Arkansas and Wynne on March 31, 2023. The Central Arkansas Tornado Recovery Fund (for Pulaski and Lonoke Counties) and the Cross County Tornado Recovery Fund (for Wynne,) were established to support nonprofits serving these communities’ long-term needs.

The first phase of grant applications is now closed. We accepted grant applications for organizations doing long-term recovery in both areas. Grants will be selected by a committee of local leaders who live and work in the affected community, in partnership with the community’s long-term disaster recovery committee and representatives of Arkansas Community Foundation.

Applications were accepted from August 1 – August 31, 2023.

Grants will range up to $25,000, although larger grants may be awarded in some circumstances. 

Application Period is Closed

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Where We are Making Grants

Grants will be awarded to nonprofits serving Pulaski, Lonoke and Cross counties only. Organizations that have a presence in both locations and intend to implement projects in both areas are eligible for grants in both areas.

Who is Eligible? 

  • 501c3 nonprofits  
  • Schools 
  • Churches/synagogues/mosques/religious congregations   
  • Government/quasi-governmental entities  
  • Based in or have an on-the-ground presence actively working in Pulaski, Lonoke and/or Cross County. Organizations that have a presence in both locations and intend to implement projects in both areas are eligible for grants in both areas.

What We’re Looking For

Grants will be considered for organizations actively participating in intermediate or long-term recovery by providing:  

  • Case management, case work, or other forms of assistance to people navigating insurance, FEMA and social services  
  • Shelter/housing/rebuilding assistance  
  • Debris removal or infrastructure repair
  • Financial assistance and/or basic needs to those affected, but not limited to food/meals, household products, clothing, water, and medicine
  • Legal aid  
  • Mental health aid  
  • Re-establishing programs or educational services that experienced significant disruption as a result of the tornado or directly sustained damage 
  • Other unmet needs  

Funding may be used by nonprofits to:

  • Provide direct support to individuals 
  • Purchase supplies/materials  
  • Pay for staff time, contract labor, or other personnel needs  
  • Rent heavy equipment necessary for clean-up efforts 
  • Pay for mileage, per diem, office space, or other needs of personnel as they carry out disaster-related duties  
  • Purchase technology (including computers or software) necessary to manage and track disaster efforts  
  • Other needs not described above  

What We’re Not Looking For

  • Direct funding to individuals
  • Support for capital campaigns
  • Projects that address sectarian religious purposes
  • Proposals for political advocacy or lobbying