Organizations supporting the LGBTQ+ community can apply for up to $150,000.
Arkansas Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the Arkansas LGBTQ+ Advancement Fund. Grants of up to $150,000 will be awarded to support organizations with programs, activities or projects that directly support LGBTQ+ Arkansans, according to a press release.
“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,” ACF president Heather Larkin said.
ACF is a nonprofit organization that “offers tools to help Arkansans protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars as they learn more about community needs.” The organization has provided more than $314 million in grants since 1976.
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. The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation has provided additional financial support.
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 the state or have a significant basis of operation in the state. 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 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. Nov. 22. Applications received after that deadline will be considered in the next round of review in early spring 2022.
Application details are available on the Arkansas Community Foundation’s website.