Community Foundation Accepting Online Grant Applications July 10 – August 15

press release 

Jonesboro, Ark. (July 24, 2020) – Nonprofits in Craighead County can go to arcf.org/givingtree to apply online for grants through Craighead County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications must be submitted online by August 15.

“Since our affiliate was formed in 2001 we’ve awarded $500,000 in grants to benefit Craighead County,” said Melissa Ayers, Executive Director Craighead County Community Foundation.  Last year our giving tree grants helped 20 local non-profits serve our community.  Some of which included a grant to the Fisher Street Community in Action for enhancements to their education center building, as well as the Hispanic Community Services, Inc. for equipment needed to produce municipal IDs.

This year, the Community Foundation is accepting two different kinds of proposals:

1. Projects with a special emphasis on early literacy are eligible for Grade-Level Reading grants. Applicants who fit into this focus area should look for the application titled “Grade Level Reading.” Proposals for Grade-Level Reading grants should be aimed at increasing local students’ early literacy through one or more of the five focus areas of the Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading: 1) parent and community engagement, 2) school readiness, 3) classroom instruction, 4) chronic absence prevention and intervention, or 5) summer learning loss prevention. Emphasis should be on children ages 0 to 8.
2. Proposals focusing on race relations, poverty, and pandemic response in Craighead County are eligible to apply for Giving Tree Grants, which typically range from $3,000 to $12,000. At this time, the Community Foundation is not considering grant requests from organizations outside Craighead County, even though services may be provided in this area.

The deadline for both applications is August 15.

Any IRS 501(c)(3) public charity, public school, government agency or hospital in Craighead County is eligible to apply. Other applicants may be considered if the project has a clear charitable purpose for the public benefit. Grants are not made to individuals. Applications will be reviewed by a grant making committee from the Craighead County Community Foundation.

“Through local Giving Tree grants, our state’s nonprofit organizations find support as they implement great ideas to improve their communities,” said Heather Larkin, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Giving Tree grants are selected by local people in each of our affiliate areas and awarded to local organizations.”

Funding for the Giving Tree program comes from hundreds of Arkansas donors who support the work of the Community Foundation.

Arkansas Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that 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 Community Foundation supports charitable programs that work for Arkansas and partners to create new initiatives that address the gaps.  Since 1976, the Community Foundation has provided more than $250 million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve our neighborhoods, our towns and our entire state. Contributions to the Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.