29 Jan 2018 Application deadline Feb. 15 for foundation’s Giving Tree Grants

Posted at 2:07 PMh in News by

Nonprofits across the state and in Faulkner County can go to arcf.org/givingtree to submit an application for Giving Tree Grants available through the Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications must be completed by Thursday, Feb. 15. 

“Giving Tree grants are selected by local people in each of our affiliate communities and awarded to local organizations,” said Heather Larkin, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “Because this funding is targeted to support specific communities in Arkansas, our state’s nonprofit organizations have a homegrown place to turn for help implementing great ideas.”

Through the affiliate office in Conway, any IRS 501(c)(3) public charity, public school, government agency or hospital located in or serving Faulkner County is eligible to apply for the grants. Grants are not made to individuals. Applications will be reviewed by a local grant making committee.

“No doubt, grant making is one of my favorite parts of working for the Community Foundation,” said Gloria Cheshier, executive director in Faulkner County. “It’s amazing to see what can be accomplished when the Giving Tree grant funds go back into the community.” 

Since its inception in 2001, the Faulkner County Giving Tree Endowment has made 160 grants totaling $252,273. Last year, 14 grants were awarded to organizations working in Faulkner County in the fields of arts, human services, education, environment and health.  

In making the grants in Faulkner County, preference is given to organizations with projects that can leverage the funding to make a big difference in the community. Giving Tree grants will generally range from $250 to $3,000 with approximately $22,000 available this year for grants in Faulkner County. “Even though the grants are relatively small, our non-profits find ways to use the funding creatively and stretch every dollar to capacity to serve the community needs,” Cheshier said.

To apply for a Giving Tree grant, organizations should visit arcf.org/givingtree to view the Giving Tree grant submission guidelines and begin the application process.

Funding for the Giving Tree program comes from hundreds of Arkansas donors who support the work of the Community Foundation. For more information about our Giving Tree Society, visit arcf.org/localgiving.