Foundations that fund arts and culture in Arkansas
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Arkansas in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Wal-Mart Foundation
- $350,000 to Walton Arts Center Council Inc, Fayetteville: Northwest arkansas
- $100,000 to Theatre Squared Inc, Fayetteville: Northwest arkansas
- $80,000 to Interform, Springdale: Northwest arkansas
How to apply: See "how we give" at walmart.org
Deadlines: See "how we give" at walmart.org
Restrictions: The walmart foundation does not make grants outside its funding priorities. See "what we do and "grant eligibility" at walmart.org
The Murphy Foundation
- $222,083 to El Dorado Festivals and Events, El Dorado: Operations
- $100,000 to Arkansas Cinema Society, Little Rock: Operations
- $35,000 to South Arkansas Arts Center, El Dorado: Operations
How to apply: Letter form including a copy of applicant's scholastic record. Other requests should be made in a letter setting out all pertinent details.
Deadlines: Educational grant applications should be submitted by august 1.
Restrictions: Educational grants are restricted to students from the south arkansas area.
Walter O Caldwell Foundation
- $10,000 to Community School for the Arts, Fort Smith: General Purpose of Exempt Organization
- $5,000 to River Valley Film Society Inc, Fort Smith: General Purpose of Exempt Organization
- $5,000 to Fort Kids, Fort Smith: General Purpose of Exempt Organization
How to apply: Letter proof of exempt status, financials and purpose of request.
Deadlines: September
Restrictions: Restricted to fort smith, ar area
C Louis and Mary C Cabe Foundation
- $10,000 to The Muses, Hot Springs: Furtherance of exempt purpose
- $3,000 to Hot Springs Childrens Dance Theatre, Hot Springs: Furtherance of exempt purpose
- $1,500 to Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, North Little Rock: Furtherance of exempt purpose
How to apply: C. Louis and mary c. Cabe foundation preprinted grant application form
Restrictions: Usually restricted to eligible organizations located in arkansas
Tyson Family Foundation Inc
- $358,000 to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville: Momentary and crystal bridges programming support
- $75,000 to Interform, Springdale: General purpose
- $50,000 to Arkansas Cinema Society, Little Rock: General purpose
How to apply: Apply for preprinted application with instructions.
Union Pacific Foundation
- $10,000 to Ozark Moonshine & Music Festival, Fairfield Bay: Arts and culture
- $10,000 to Grand Prairie Art Council Inc, Stuttgart: Arts and culture
- $10,000 to Acansa Arts Festival, North Little Rock: Arts and culture
How to apply: Grant application available online during specific periods.
Deadlines: May 31, 2025 for 2025 applications.
Restrictions: The foundation administers the philanthropic program of union pacific corporation and union pacific railroad company. Grants are awarded to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations located in union pacific communities that best align with the...
The Schmieding Foundation
- $10,000 to Arts Live Theatre, Fayetteville: Various
- $9,000 to Downtown Bentonville Incorporated, Bentonville: Various
- $5,000 to Artists of Northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville: Various
How to apply: Preprinted application form describing operation and needs
Deadlines: March 1st and september 1st
Restrictions: Awards are limited to organizations benefitting children and the elderly.
Rebsamen Fund
- $7,500 to Brandon House Cultural & Performing Arts Center, Little Rock: General operating fund
- $5,000 to Museum of Discovery, Little Rock: General operating fund
- $1,000 to Arkansas Cinema Society, Little Rock: General operating fund
How to apply: No particular form
Restrictions: Normally within state of arkansas
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $100,000 to Theatre Squared Inc, Fayetteville: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $20,000 to Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, Little Rock: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
William C and Theodosia Murphy Nolan Foundation
- $86,475 to Cherokee Plantation Foundation, El Dorado: Operating budget
- $25,000 to South Arkansas Arts Center, El Dorado: Operating budget
How to apply: One page letter request setting forth purpose of funds and pertinent information.
Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and
- $25,000 to Museum of Discovery, Little Rock: Unrestricted general
- $15,000 to Theatre Squared Inc, Fayetteville: Support education programs
How to apply: GRANT GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORM ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT GO TO www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/search-for-grants/
Deadlines: March 1
Restrictions: Restricted to qualified irc section 501(c)(3) organizations located in the states of arkansas and texas (primarily in the dallas area)
Roy & Christine Sturgis Charitable & Educational Trust
- $23,064 to Low Key Arts, Hot Springs: Equipment
- $10,786 to Mid-America Science Museum, Hot Springs: Equipment
How to apply: Letter explaining grant request; irs determination letter; other infomration pertinent to the grant request.
Deadlines: No submission deadlines
Restrictions: State of arkansas
Riggs Benevolent Fund
- $10,000 to Museum of Discovery, Little Rock: General support
- $2,500 to Museum of Discovery, Little Rock: General support
How to apply: No particular form
The Kerr Foundation Inc
- $3,500 to Arts Live Theatre Inc, Fayetteville: To help payfor scholarships, venue costs, and hiring a teaching artist for the 2024 season
- $2,000 to Mid-America Science Museum, Hot Springs: To purchase supplies and develop science-to-go kits for distribution to children in...
How to apply: Cover letter with summary request, institutional profile form completed, proposal summary form completed, irs 501(c)(3) letter, proposal and documentation as appropriate to the request
Deadlines: Requests should be submitted more than 45 days before qtrly committee mtgs to allow time for review
Restrictions: Geographical areas for consideration are: (1st preference) arkansas, colorado, kansas, missouri, new mexico, oklahoma, texas; areas: education, health, cultural, community service and human service. Applications are also accepted from the...
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
- $150,000 to Northwest Arkansas African American Heritage Association Inc, Fayetteville: To support a historical research report on the fayetteville black heritage district and...
Restrictions: Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
Terra Foundation for American Art
- $100,000 to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Inc, Bentonville: Art education
How to apply: Please consult our website "www.terraamericanart.org" for grant application details.
Deadlines: Various
Restrictions: Please consult our website "www.terraamericanart.org" for grant application details.
Rich Family Foundation
- $100,000 to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville: Annual Donation
How to apply: By formal letter request
Deadlines: Application (letter request) accepted at any time
Restrictions: No restrictions if from bonafide charity
The Kunkle Cabe Foundation
- $75,000 to Wildwood Park for the Arts, Little Rock: Operating funds
How to apply: All applications should be in writing and should include complete & detailed information regarding the applicant's request including details and needs of the program. Applications via email will also be accepted.
Deadlines: No deadline
Restrictions: The organization must be a qualified 501(c)(3) organization.
Sessions Family Foundation Inc
- $30,000 to Greenwood Fine Arts Academy Inc, Greenwood: Performing arts & art education
How to apply: Pre-formatted "request summary form must include the following: copy of organization's federal tax exemption letter legal name of applicant organization street address mailing address (if different) telephone website/e-mail primary contact person information brief description of...
Deadlines: No earlier than november 1st and no later than january 31st
Restrictions: Submit report on use of the funds within 12 months of the receipt of the grant
The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
- $25,000 to Museum of Native American History Inc, Little Rock: 2024 board honorarium forsharon toomer
How to apply: Wrf provides general operating support, project support, technical assistance, and program related investments to organizations working to advance economic equity, educational equity and/or social, ethnic, and racial equity within arkansas. Detailed guidelines are available on...
Deadlines: Submissions are rolling and can be received online at www.wrfoundation.org/how-to-apply/ at any time
Restrictions: Wrf grants and program-related investments are limited to initiatives that directly or significantly impact the state of arkansas, and are primarily provided to organizations located in arkansas. If your initiative is not led by a...
Kelley & Morgan Families Foundation
- $21,000 to Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana: Furtherance of exempt purpose
How to apply: Letter of request, use of funds and person in charge of the program for which the grant is to be used. A copy of the grantee's irs letter of exemption from income tax. A list of grantee's board of directors.
Restrictions: Must be used for recipient's tax exempt purpose, including general operating support.
Adcock Family Foundation
- $20,000 to Blackbirds Arts Collective, Conway: Charitable
How to apply: Any is permissible
Mrs Giles Whiting Foundation
- $20,000 to Oxford American Literary Project, Little Rock: Whiting literary magazine prize
How to apply: The foundation's open-application programs accept applications through submittable. Application requirements and instructions are posted at the beginning of each application cycle on our website, https://www.whiting.org
Deadlines: Submission deadlines for the foundation's open-application programs are posted annually on website.
Restrictions: All of the foundation's programs focus on advancing literature and the humanities; most take as their geographical scope the whole united states; and many are made to individuals through peer-review selection processes. The specific...
Soffer Robins Family Foundation Inc
- $20,000 to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville: Donation
How to apply: Letter which clearly outlines details of request.
Tartaglino Richards Foundation
- $10,000 to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville: 2025 Grant Childrens Program
How to apply: Two or three page grant request including non-profit status and financial statements.
Deadlines: April 1 and November 1
Restrictions: No restrictions. All grants are considered and voted upon by the board.
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