Early Literacy Grants

Early Literacy Grants is sponsored by Hot Springs Area Community Foundation. Supports initiatives enhancing early childhood language and literacy skills for children from birth to age four.

Hot Springs Area – Arkansas Community Foundation Hot Springs Area Community Foundation Since 1991, we have been working to serve as a vehicle for helping individuals, firms and organizations in our area in carrying out their immediate and long-term philanthropic plans.

The Foundation has created over 128 funds that benefit Garland and Montgomery counties with many leaving lasting legacies which will benefit worthwhile causes throughout our state and country. One of 29 affiliates of Arkansas Community Foundation, Hot Springs Area Community Foundation has provided over $26 million in cumulative grants throughout our 35 years of service to Garland and Montgomery counties.

These grants support programs that respond to critical needs such as food insecurity and health related issues, as well as programs that sustain and enrich, like the arts and education.

An issue we have been deeply involved with is the statewide Grade Level Reading Initiative, a collaboration of state and local nonprofits, parents and families, government agencies, foundations, educators, business leaders and policymakers committed to the goal that all Arkansas children will read at grade-level by the end of third grade.

We are continually working on ways to make Garland and Montgomery counties better communities for all citizens and visitors. To DONATE to a fund, follow this link to view a complete list of our Hot Springs Area funds and endowments. Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Grant Cycle opens Feb.

16 and ends March 31. Grants during this cycle are specific to programs that support youth and children of Garland County . All 501c3 nonprofits, schools, churches, hospitals or government agencies that meet this specific requirement are encouraged to apply.

Grant range from $100 to $2,000. Contact Joyce Whitfield for more information . Applications should be submitted online by completing the application or they may be printed, scanned and emailed to hotspringsarea@arcf.

org . Our Early Literacy grant cycle, opens Feb. 16 and ends March 31.

Grant range is from $2,500 to 10,000. Our 2026-27 focus will be applications which work to ensure that all children will read at grade-level by the end of third grade .

In addition, proposals focusing on increasing the number of preschoolers exposed to phonics while working with childcare centers to implement pre-K phonemic awareness curriculum, and after-school programs including enrichment classes and activities related to age-appropriate literacy development resources for K-3 rd grade students, would also be considered.

These grants must be submitted on the Early Literacy online application , not the regular Giving Tree grant application. For questions, call Joyce Whitfield, Executive Director, 501-372-1007 or email hotspringsarea@arcf. org Giving Tree Grant Cycle opens July 10 and ends Aug.

15. Grants during this cycle are made to support a variety of causes based on changing community needs. All 501c3 nonprofits, schools, churches, hospitals or government agencies that meet this specific requirement are encouraged to apply.

Grant range from $500 to $8,000. Contact Joyce Whitfield for more information on how to apply . Local Giving Tree Grants Support Nonprofits Working in and for Hot Springs Area The most recent Hot Springs Area Giving Tree grants include: Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund.

Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc. Artchurch Studio dba Emergent Arts Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center Cooperative Christian Ministries & Clinic Cutter Morning Star Elementary Friends of the Hot Springs Community Resource Center Garland County Historical Society Glenwood First Church of the Nazarene Hot Springs Area Cultural Alliance Hot Springs Children's Dance Theatre Company Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute Hot Springs Sister City Program Hot Springs Soccer Association Hot Springs Women's Leadership Alliance Humane Society of Garland County Imagination Library of Garland County 501c3 (Imagination Library of the Ouachitas) Lake Hamilton Primary (Occupational Therapy Team) Literacy Council of the Ouachitas (Garland County) Morning Star Fire Protection Association National Park College Foundation NICA Hot Springs Thoroughbreds Ouachita Behavioral Health and Wellness Ouachita Children, Youth & Family Services Ouachita regional Counseling and Mental Health Center Potter's Clay Ministries, Inc. Project HOPE Food Bank, Inc. Sunshine Therapeutic Riding Center The CALL in Garland & Hot Spring Counties Youth Advisory Council (YAC) YAC students are local public, private and homeschool high school-age students who are interested in community service and philanthropy.

Applications for membership are taken each year prior to the beginning of the new school year. The group meets monthly from September to April to learn about the needs of our communities as well as the nonprofits working locally to serve those needs.

YAC members participate in community service projects and host their own grant cycle by soliciting grant applications February 16 – March 31 every year, for grants to be made to support programs designed specifically to help local youth and children in Garland County. Contact hotspringsarea@arcf. org to learn more.

Oaklawn Foundation Scholarships Students, are you looking for information about how to apply for the Oaklawn Scholarship, available Jan. 2 - Feb. 20 of each year.

Check out our information page and get ready to apply.