Sanders Announces Recipients of the Community Assistance Grant Program

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, today announced recipients of the Community Assistance Grant Program, which the Governor announcedon May 19, 2025, to help fill funding gaps for projects that provide services to crime victims, reduce poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and revitalize communities. These awardees were reviewed by the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) today.

In May, ALC approved a $15 million allocation to fund the Community Assistance Grant Program, allowing eligible applicants to apply for up to $1,500,000 per fiscal year. Applications opened on May 19, 2025 and closed July 31, 2025. In total, 553 applicants requested more than $319 million in total. 40 organizations were selected from those applicants and, following today's approval, funding will be dispersed in January.

"In the first year of the Community Assistance Grant Program, we received an overwhelming number of applicants that demonstrated real need, showing the demand for this sort of program in Arkansas," said Governor Sanders. "While these grants can only meet a portion of that demand, we are excited to see the progress that comes from the organizations that are receiving funding. We hope to fund different projects that help change lives and lift Arkansans up through this program in future years."

"All across Arkansas, there are hardworking people and organizations that lift up their fellow citizens, change lives, and make our communities better," said Hugh McDonald, Arkansas Secretary of Commerce. "The Community Assistant Grant Program awards will help some of these organizations expand the reach of their services and impact even more people across our state."

"AEDC's ultimate goal is helping Arkansans lead better lives, and the Community Assistance Grant Program will provide support to help many people and communities across the state," said Clint O'Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Sanders and the Arkansas General Assembly, this program will provide $15 million to address needed funding gaps that will make an impact on the lives of Arkansans."

"We are incredibly grateful to Governor Sanders, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and Arkansas legislators for their support of Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) through the Community Assistance Grant. We appreciate state leadership that values the vital work of nonprofits and recognizes the meaningful impact we have across Arkansas. This investment strengthens the coordinated response to child abuse statewide and allows CACs to continue serving child abuse victims with care, dignity, and a child-focused approach that puts healing first," said Elizabeth Pulley, Executive Director of Children's Advocacy Centers of Arkansas.

"The Morgan Nick Foundation stands on the front lines of protecting children and saving lives, and I am deeply grateful to Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for her unwavering commitment to ensuring this vital work continues. This investment represents far more than funding-it is a powerful statement that Arkansas will never waver in its fight for the safety, dignity, and protection of our children. This support empowers the Morgan Nick Foundation to stand beside families in their darkest hours, hold predators accountable, and bring hope to those facing unimaginable pain. It helps ensure that fewer families will ever have to endure the heartbreak our family has lived through-and that is work truly worth standing behind. Thank you, Governor Sanders, for championing this cause and for standing with us in this mission," said Colleen Nick, Founder and CEO of the Morgan Nick Foundation.

"The Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association appreciates Governor Sanders and the

Arkansas Economic Development Commission for making the Community Assistance

Grant Program available to our Prosecuting Attorneys. These awards enabled Prosecuting

Attorneys to retain Victim Witness Coordinators employed in their offices, who will

continue to exercise their statutory duties of assisting victims as they navigate their way

through the criminal justice system," said David Ethredge, President-Elect of the Arkansas Prosecuting Attorneys Association.

The applicants selected for funding are listed below.

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