Arkansas Community Foundation launches grant fund for LGBTQ nonprofits

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 739 views 

Arkansas Community Foundation announced Monday (Oct. 11) that a portal is now open for grants up to $150,000 to support organizations with programs, activities or projects that directly support LGBTQ+ Arkansans.

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. It has been met with additional financial support from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.

“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 Arkansas Community Foundation President Heather Larkin.

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, according to ACF.

The funding opportunities can come through program or impact grants.

Program 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 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.

Grants cannot be used for lobbying or partisan political activity.

Applications are now being accepted and will continue to be accepted until funds are expended. The deadline for the first round of review is November 22, 2021. Additional application details are available at this link.