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Grants up to $150,000 from Arkansas LGBTQ+ Advancement Fund Available for Arkansas Nonprofits

Little Rock, Ark. (October 11, 2021) – Arkansas Community Foundation announces the availability of grants from the Arkansas LGBTQ+ Advancement Fund. Applications open today for grants of up to $150,000 to support organizations with programs, activities or projects that directly support LGBTQ+ Arkansans.

“This fund allows LGBTQ-serving nonprofits in our state to expand their impact on communities and help Arkansans pull together to build a more welcoming and supportive environment for us all,” said Heather Larkin, president of Arkansas Community Foundation.

The Arkansas LGBTQ+ Advancement Fund is supported through grants from the Alice L. Walton Foundation and from Olivia and Tom Walton through the Walton Family Foundation., has been met with additional financial support from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

The Fund will distribute grants for Arkansas-based organizations that provide critical services to the LGBTQ+ community. National entities with a local presence, established in-state partnerships and strong community relationships will also qualify. 

There are two funding opportunities:

  • Program Grants: These grants will support the program costs for initiatives that directly support services to the Arkansas LGBTQ+ community. Grantees will be headquartered in Arkansas or have a significant basis of operation in Arkansas. Grants will range from $25,000 to $150,000, although grants outside that range may be considered under exceptional circumstances. 
  • Impact Grants: These grants are to provide general operating support for Arkansas-based grassroots organizations led by and serving LGBTQ+ communities with an annual operating budget of $150,000 or less and that provide services to LGBTQ+ Arkansans as an explicit focus of the organization. These grants will be $25,000 and less. The purpose of this funding is to strengthen and support local organizations led by and serving the LGBTQ+ community. 

The grant selection committee includes leadership from the funder community and representation from the LGBTQ community both locally and nationally. Grants will not be used for lobbying or partisan political activity. 

Applications details are available at the Community Foundation’s website, www.arcf.org/lgbtq. Applications are being accepted now and will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until funds are expended. The deadline for organizations wishing to be considered during the first round of review is 11:59 p.m. on November 22, 2021. Applications received after that deadline will be considered in the next round of review in early spring 2022.

Arkansas Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization with over a half billion dollars in assets, fosters smart giving to improve communities. The Community Foundation offers tools to help Arkansans protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars as they learn more about community needs. By making grants and sharing knowledge, the Foundation supports existing charitable programs that work for Arkansas and partners to create initiatives that address unmet needs. Since 1976, the Community Foundation has provided more than $314 million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve our neighborhoods, our towns and our entire state. Contributions to Arkansas Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.

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