Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Arkansas Community Foundation and the Craighead County Community Foundation (CCCF) next year, the CCCF announced new transformational grant opportunities for local nonprofits.
The announcement came during a presentation on Friday in the Round Room of the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library.
According to CCCF Executive Director Melissa Ayers, the Arkansas Community Foundation was established in 1976, since then the CCCF has accumulated fund assets of just over $15 million in Craighead County.
Through the generosity of fundholders and philanthropists, the CCCF has awarded $994,000 since its inception and manages $14.5M in endowments over 114 funds.
CCCF Chair Ty Jones said the CCCF is celebrating this special occasion by investing directly in the heart of what makes their communities thrive — nonprofit organizations.
To mark the milestone, the foundation is launching two special funding opportunities designed to strengthen leadership and expand the long-term impact of local nonprofits.
“The first funding opportunity supports the people who make change happen – nonprofit leaders,” said Jones. “These individuals dedicate themselves to serving the community, often with limited resources for professional development.”
He noted the CCCF will do this through a new initiative. The initiative will cover the full $1,750 tuition for one nonprofit staff member to participate in Leadership Jonesboro.
This grant is open to any paid staff member of a nonprofit organization operating in Craighead County. Applications will open soon on the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce website, and the award will apply to the Leadership Jonesboro Class of 2026. This initiative will continue annually, ensuring local nonprofit leaders have the tools and connections to strengthen their organizations and the communities they serve, he said.
The second funding opportunity was the Foundation’s new Strategic Impact Grant, which will be open to all nonprofits in Craighead County.
“This one-time grant will fund transformative projects that redefine an organization’s operations, strategy, and services. Strengthening and enhancing our local nonprofits means more efficient and effective delivery of vital programs and services,” Jones said. “These grants are about helping nonprofits adapt, grow, and meet the evolving needs of our community.”
Grant requests may be made for up to $100,000 per organization.
Ayers said the application for the new Strategic Impact Grants will be significantly different from the Giving Tree application nonprofits are used to filling out. These applications will be more targeted.
“It really is about allowing the organizations to create sustainable change to transform their organization and take it to the next level,” Ayers said.
She added that it will look different for each organization. “There may be obstacles they keep coming up against, that has kept them from expanding their services, broadening their programs, expanding their service areas,” she explained. “It may be facilities, it may be equipment, it may be technology, things that are not necessarily allowed to be covered in some of their government grant funding, or even other funding sources.”
Ayers said they want it to be something transformational yet sustainable.
Food Bank of NEA Development Officer Terry Austin said his mind was reeling at the possibilities the new Strategic Impact Grant will provide. For example, the grant could provide food delivery to those without transportation and fund school food pantries.
“I was really blown away. I didn’t know what to expect, but they really hit it out of the park,” he said. “It’s very exciting news. We will definitely be applying.”
Applications are available now by contacting Ayers at craigheadcounty@arcf.org. The complete funding announcement and instructions are available on the Craighead County – Arkansas Community Foundation website. The application period closes January 31, 2026.
