ARPA Nonprofit Assistance Programs

The City of Fayetteville has four programs available for assisting nonprofit organizations that serve Fayetteville residents and have experienced negative impacts because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first program was approved by City Council in February 2022 and an application portal opened on Feb. 18, 2022. The second and third programs (2A, 2B shown below) were unanimously approved by City Council on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. City Council voted unanimously to appropriate $1 million of the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for these nonprofit grants and economic assistance programs. 

A fourth program (2C shown below) was added in February 2023, and Council voted unanimously to appropriate an additional $1 million for assistance to non-profits negatively impacted during the March 3, 2020 to March 2, 2021 time frame. 

View a listing of funding requests approved by City Council as of May 2, 2023. 

Funding Requests

Non-profit funding requests have been submitted to the City for consideration. All non-profit funding requests may be viewed here.

Program 1: Grants to non-profits - $25,000 or greater (Deadline has passed)

  • Eligibility requirements apply
  • Application Portal available here - April 30 deadline
  • Go to the program information page
  • Eligible applicants will be reviewed and approved by City Council

Program 2: Economic assistance to nonprofits

Nonprofits have faced significant challenges due to the pandemic’s increased demand for services and changing operational needs, as well as declines in revenue sources such as donations and fees. Nonprofits eligible for assistance are those that experienced negative economic impacts or disproportionate impacts of the pandemic and meet the definition of “nonprofit” — specifically, those that are 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) tax-exempt organizations. 

The following economic assistance programs are available to eligible nonprofits. Eligible organizations should apply for only one of the below programs. Application forms will be available on this page as soon as possible. 

2A: Assistance under $5,000 (Deadline has passed)

  • Total assistance of up to $5,000 per qualifying nonprofit applicant
  • $100,000 has been appropriated by City Council for this program
  • Designed to address more urgent and immediate needs directly related to COVID-19
  • Eligible non-profits include 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations serving Fayetteville residents
  • Qualifying costs eligible for assistance include payroll, rent or other operating costs
  • Contact Community Resources Director Yolanda Fields for more information: 479-575-8290 or yfields@fayetteville-ar.gov
  • Applications should be submitted to yfields@fayetteville-ar.gov

2B: Assistance over $5,000 (Deadline has passed)

  • Assistance for qualifying nonprofit applicants for requests of more than $5,000
  • $900,000 has been appropriated by City Council for this program
  • This program is intended to assist qualifying nonprofits that experienced negative economic impact directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Examples of negative economic impacts can include an increased demand for services provided, changing operational needs, a decline in revenue sources (such as donations and fees), reduced ability to hold fundraising events, increased costs or challenges covering payroll, rent or other operating costs of the nonprofit organization
  • Qualifying costs eligible for economic aid include payroll, rent or other operating costs
  • Contact Community Resources Director Yolanda Fields for more information: 479-575-8290 or yfields@fayetteville-ar.
  • ARPA non-profit application for assistance over $5,000
  • Applications should be submitted to community_resources@fayetteville-ar.gov

2C: Assistance to nonprofit organizations up to $100,000 (Deadline: has passed)

  • Qualifying nonprofit organizations may apply for assistance up to $100,000
  • A total of $1,000,000 has been appropriated by City Council for this program
  • This program is intended to assist qualifying nonprofits that experienced negative economic impact directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the following period: March 3, 2020 to March 2, 2021
  • Assistance applications will be accepted during the following timeframe: Feb. 27, 2023 to March 10, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Examples of negative economic impacts can include: an increased demand for services provided; changing operational needs; a decline in revenue sources (such as donation and fees); reduced ability to hold fundraising events; and increased costs or challenges covering payroll, rent or other operating costs of the non-profit organization
  • Examples of qualifying costs eligible for reimbursement under this assistance program include payments for payroll, rent, utility bills, supplies for COVID-19 relief activities or other paid operating costs for the non-profit organization
  • Contact Chantel Darden (Grants Administrator) for more information: 479-718-7627 or CDarden@fayetteville-ar.gov
  • Materials from the Friday, Feb. 24 public information session on this program