26 Jan 2015 Feb. 15 deadline to apply for Giving Tree Grants

Nonprofits across the state and in Faulkner County can go to arcf.org to download an application for Giving Tree Grants available through the Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications must be submitted by Sunday, 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 following the Feb. 15 application deadline.

“Grant making is my favorite part 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.”  Last year, 17 grants were awarded to organizations working in Faulkner County in the fields of 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 and a total of $20,000 is available this year 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.

In fiscal year 2014, Arkansas Community Foundation and its 27 affiliate offices awarded more than $634,000 in Giving Tree grants across the state. Funding for the Giving Tree program comes from hundreds of Arkansas donors who support the work of the Community Foundation.

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

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 $120 million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve neighborhoods, towns and the entire state. Contributions to the Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 27 affiliates are fully tax deductible.