LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Governor Sanders and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission announced applications for the Fiscal Year 2027 Community Assistance Grant Program will open on July 1. The Community Assistance Grant Program is a 20% matching grant program designed to create economic opportunity, reduce poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and revitalize Arkansas communities.
Eligible applicants, which include Arkansas cities, counties, and nonprofits, can apply for up to $1,500,000 per fiscal year for qualified community and economic development projects and nonprofit organization projects. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission will administer the program and will distribute $10 million in the current award cycle.
“A strong state starts with strong communities,” said Governor Sanders. “That’s exactly what the focus of the Community Assistance Grant Program is: building stronger communities by supporting the organizations that directly impact the people who need help most. I’m excited to continue seeing progress from these projects that don’t just provide a handout, but a hand up – empowering Arkansans to build stability, find opportunity, and achieve greater self-sufficiency.”
“Arkansas continues to grow its economy thanks to the state’s business-friendly environment, low costs, and sound public policy. Our local communities are critical to this growth, and we aim to support them through the Community Assistance Grant Program,” said Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. “Helping communities thrive is a key priority for Governor Sanders and the Department of Commerce, and this program will play an important role in providing resources that communities and nonprofits need to tackle the issues facing Arkansans in their region.”
“At AEDC, we are committed to helping Arkansans advance economically and become more successful,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “The Community Assistance Grant Program is a statewide effort to provide the resources that communities need to revitalize and improve their quality of life.”
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.
Recipients are required to provide a 20% match of the awarded amount using either cash, in-kind labor, in-kind materials, or in-kind land. Match amounts will be determined during the application review process.
The application period will be open from July 1, 2026, through August 15, 2026. Funding awards are expected to be announced in early Fall 2026.
For more information and to apply, visit AEDC’s website linked here.
