Grants and Foundations Information Center

Thank you for visiting my Grants and Foundations Information Center. I hope this Information Center will help you identify various resources that are available to help fund individual and community activities. Many organizations are not aware of the many and varied federal, state, and private grants and loans available which provide financial and technical assistance. In order to find the most appropriate places to apply, grant seekers need to investigate all potential funding sources before writing proposals, be it government programs, private foundations, or corporate donors.

I have compiled the following information to assist you in your search for funding sources. You will have access to information on locating resources, making applications, and obtaining technical assistance. I have simplified the process by giving you web links to important sites dealing with private and federal grants.

As you pursue funding opportunities, I encourage you to contact me at 1-800-352-9364 or e-mail me at my website address: www.lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm.  Nurturing Arkansas's community development and strengthening our economy are among my highest priorities.  To that end, I have also created a Special Projects Team that can not only assist you in identifying funding opportunities but also assist you in writing grant applications.  Please contact Cydney Pearce at 1-800-352-9364 for assistance in preparing your application.

Additionally, I welcome any opportunity to contact federal agencies or private sources on your behalf.  For a letter of support, the following information is requested:

• Name of applicant.
• Contact person and telephone number for the project.
• Address of agency and contact person at the agency.
• Name of the grant program for which you are applying.
• Deadline for the letter of support. (Please allow 10 business days.)
• Project summary that includes a full description of the project.
• Letters of support will be mailed directly to the agency.  Copies will be provided for your records.

It will be helpful if your request for a letter of support includes:

• What your project/program does and who it serves.
• Why this program is important to your community.
• Any unique features of your program/project.
• The specifics of how the grant money will be used.

FAQs

1. What grant programs offer support to local fire departments?

Roughly 85 percent of our fire departments in Arkansas are volunteer departments, and these volunteers often lack the funding needed to purchase adequate equipment and protective clothing.  Fortunately, there are a few grant programs at the federal and state level that offer assistance.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security offers several programs of interest.  The Assistance for Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) is the largest, and many Arkansas fire departments have secured funding to purchase firefighting vehicles, obtain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and acquire needed training.  Applications for this program typically become available in the Spring.  The Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant and the Fire Prevention and Firefighter Safety grant application should also be considered.  Applications are automated and accessible through the AFG website: www.firegrantsupport.com.  The website contains program guidance and a tutorial on applying for all of the department’s programs.  You may also contact the AFG help desk at 1-866-274-0960.

Another federal program that has benefited Arkansas fire departments is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Community Facilities Grant Program.  Applications for this program are filed with the USDA Rural Development field offices.  You can obtain more information about this program by contacting the Rural Development Office in Little Rock at 501-301-3200 or by visiting http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ar/.

Additionally, fire departments may wish to contact the Arkansas Department of Rural Services.  This state agency has several grant programs that are open throughout the year.  Please note that some of these programs have a matching requirement.  You may access more information about these opportunities at http://www.arkansas.gov/drs/drsgrants.html

2. How can my community obtain funding to improve local water and wastewater infrastructure?  

One of my highest priorities as a U.S. Senator is to ensure that all Arkansans have access to a safe and reliable drinking source.  Many of our rural communities need federal assistance to provide the basic infrastructure to meet these needs.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers grant and loan programs that many of our communities have utilized when improving their water and wastewater systems.  These programs are administered by the USDA Rural Development field offices.  You can obtain more information about these programs by contacting the Rural Development Office in Little Rock at 501-301-3200 or by visiting http://www.usda.gov/rus/water/programs.htm.

Additionally, the State of Arkansas offers various programs that support the improvement of water infrastructure.  I encourage you to visit the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission web site at www.aswcc.arkansas.gov. This resource provides information about the different federal and state agencies that offer funding opportunities.    

3. Can I get a grant to pay my bills?

The federal government does not offer grants to individuals.  Eligible applicants can include municipalities, counties, states, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, including cooperatives.  However, some government and nonprofit agencies may offer support to individuals in need.  Please contact me at 1-800-352-9364 or e-mail me at my website address: www.lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm, and I will help you determine if there are agencies that provide such assistance in your community. 

Sincerely,