Community Assistance Grant Program (Arkansas)

Community Assistance Grant Program (Arkansas) is sponsored by Arkansas Economic Development Commission. A 20% matching grant program designed to create economic opportunity, reduce poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and revitalize Arkansas communities.

Arkansas Community Assistance Grant Program - AEDC | Contact Business Development Arkansas Community Assistance Grant Program Application Period Closes August 15, 2026 Arkansas Community Assistance Grant Program The Arkansas Community Assistance Grant Program (CAGP) is intended to provide grant funds to cities, counties, and non-profit organizations of the State of Arkansas for eligible community and economic development projects and eligible non-profit organization projects.

The amount of funding available to any one (1) project in any state fiscal year shall not exceed $1,500,000. The amount of the grant award shall be determined by AEDC based on eligibility criteria, availability of funding, and program demands, which may result in grant offers that are less than application requests.

Unincorporated communities Other governmental entities of the State of Arkansas What kind of community and economic development projects are eligible?

Projects eligible for funding consideration include, but are not limited to: Renovations, new construction, new equipment, or additions to publicly owned buildings such as health care facilities, childcare facilities, community centers, senior or youth centers, libraries, museums, emergency shelters, recycling centers, etc. Renovations, new construction, new equipment, or additions to municipal buildings such as courthouses or courthouse annexes, city halls, police stations, fire stations, sheriff’s offices, county fairs and city or county jails.

Renovations, new construction, new equipment, or additions to parks and other publicly owned recreational facilities such as baseball and softball fields, landscape and/or beautification projects, park and picnic areas, jogging and walking trails, Purchase of a new building or land for related project. Construction, renovation or general improvements of public riding facilities or public rodeos.

Training expenses related to workforce development. What kind of non-profit organization projects are eligible? Projects eligible for non-profit organization projects include, but are not limited to: Renovations, improvement, upgrading, retrofitting, rehabilitation, or additions to owned or leased* property of the applicant.

Routine repair or maintenance. Purchase of a new building or land related to project. Purchase of new equipment.

General operations including supplies, utilities, training travel and other personnel related expenses. *Applicant must have grant of use and possession of a leased asset for a term of at least ten (10) years beyond the date of a CAGP award for a project involving leased assets. What kinds of projects are NOT eligible?

Projects not eligible for funding consideration under the Community Assistance Grant Program include, but are not limited to: State or private fairgrounds; Principal and interest on any financed debt; Entertainment expenses, including meals and activity fees; Obligations or expenditures incurred prior to grant award; Expenditures that are unsupported by documentation; Purchases of materials or services that result in benefits accruing to areas outside of the state of Arkansas; and Other ineligible expenses identified in the grant agreement.

Is there a matching requirement? The applicant must be able to match its grant award with cash, in-kind labor, in-kind materials, or in-kind land at a flexible 20% rate. The amount of matching funds/in-kind provided by the applicant will be taken into account in the application review process; a match is dependent on the project need and not all matches will be waived.

The value of all matching (including in-kind) must be documented by bank statements, official cost estimates for in-kind materials and labor, or official appraisals for land. Official cost estimates for in-kind materials and professional labor should document what the material or professional labor would cost if it were not being donated. Community labor being donated is equal to $18.

04 per hour. Official appraisals for land may be in the form of an appraisal from a certified appraiser or a copy of the property assessment from the county clerk.

Click HERE for the full program Due to the high demand of this grant program, AEDC intends to prioritize CAGP funds for projects that fight childhood food insecurity, address unemployment, promote education, offer resources for victims of crime, and provide housing, nutrition, or emergency services to promote self-sufficiency and revitalize communities this cycle. Applications will be accepted starting July 1st, 2026.

Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by August 15th, 2026, through the online process. After an initial application form is submitted, applicants will receive a unique link to submit supporting documentation. A ll applications must be submitted through the online form submission.

Application requirements: Name, address, and phone number of applicant; Contact person's name, title, and contact information; Sources, amounts, and uses of CAGP funds, non-CAGP funds, and matching funds, including a completed budget delineating cost estimate breakdowns; Description of the project; Statement of project need, including any discussion of any emergencies or urgent needs to be addressed by the project; Proposed metrics to assess the effectiveness of the project to meet desired outcomes; and List of beneficiaries of the proposed project, how they will benefit, and how they will utilize the project.

Incorporated areas must apply through the mayor. Unincorporated areas must apply through the county judge.

This process includes completion of the online application form and presentation of the application to the local council (city) or quorum In order for your application to be complete, the local governing official (county judge or mayor) must affix his/her signature to the following documents to be submitted with the application: Certification letter (template available below); Resolution (template available below); Project Budget with total estimated costs, sources of funds, matching funds, and amount of funding requested (template available below); Quotes or price comparisons for eligible project costs; Proof of Contracted Architect (if project is over $100,000); Proof of Contracted Engineer (if project is over $25,000); Deed, title, or lease showing proof of ownership or legal possession of properties being improved by this project; and Documentation of matching funds, including notarized affidavit of in-kind materials and labor.

Non-Profit Organizations must apply through their board president or director. This process includes completion of the online application form and presentation of the application to the board.

In order for your application to be complete, the board president/director must affix his/her signature to the following documents to be submitted with the application: Certification letter (template available below); Resolution (template available below); Project Budget with total estimated costs, sources of funds, matching funds, and amount of funding requested (template available below); Quotes or price comparisons for eligible project costs; Proof of Contracted Architect (if project is over $100,000); Proof of Contracted Engineer (if project is over $25,000); Certificate of Good Standing from Secretary of State's Office ; Deed showing proof of ownership (if a construction project); and Documentation of matching funds, including notarized affidavit of in-kind materials and labor.

When will the application be open? Applications Open: July 1, 2026 Deadline to Apply: August 15, 2026 Notice of Award: Fall or Winter 2026 Reporting Requirements and responsibilities Project funds must be expended through a fund established on the books of the city, county clerk or non-profit.

A copy of the original proposal and all project expenditures, with invoices attached, shall be approved by the mayor, county judge, or director and remain on file in the office of the mayor, county judge, or director for three years or until audited, whichever is later. All project expenditures must be completed within 24 months after the date of the award.

A final report, including canceled checks and receipts of all funds expended, along with any unspent funds, must be submitted by the mayor, county judge or director to AEDC no later than 60 days following the project’s completion or within the 24-month period of the grant award, whichever comes first. Have Additional Questions? Director of Rural Services Grants Manager, Rural Services Answer 5 questions about our new website.