Black History Commission of Arkansas (Arkansas State Archives)
Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant
Up to $3,500 for projects that preserve or share African American history in Arkansas, like an oral history, exhibit or research project a class can run.
- Amount
- Up to $3,500
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- No: for-profit schools excluded
- Deadline
- Jan 2, 2027 (89 days left)
- Who this fits
- Private school · Microschool · Homeschool co‑opFor nonprofit groups, even without 501(c)(3) status, running an African American history project in Arkansas. A class project fits; for-profit work doesn't.
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Arkansas only
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026on arkansasheritage.com
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- The $3,500 cap and the mail-in rules (10 copies, 4:00 p.m. deadline) come from older PDFs (2015 and 2018). Ask whether they still apply.
- Whether a homeschool co-op without a formal organization counts as a group.
How to apply
- Step 1: Read the Sykes guidelines and overview on the State Archives page
- Step 2: Call the program coordinator, Tatyana Oyinloye, at 501-682-6892, or attend a quarterly grant workshop
- Step 3: Fill in the application form, budget summary, budget justification and timeline
- Step 4: Get it to the State Archives by the next quarterly deadline
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“Groups or organizations formed for nonprofit or not-for-profit purposes”
The page adds: “Organizations do not necessarily have to hold 501(c)3 status to apply.” Projects must preserve or share the history of African Americans in Arkansas, such as oral histories, exhibits or research. The program overview says it doesn't fund for-profit activities, regular for-credit courses or textbooks, and that project materials go to the State Archives.
- Formed for nonprofit purposes (501(c)(3) not required)
- An African American history project in Arkansas
- Give project materials to the Arkansas State Archives
- One award per fiscal year
Timing
Accepted year round with quarterly deadlines: Jan. 2, April 2, July 2 and Oct. 2. Next is Jan. 2, 2027.