Arkansas Humanities Council
Arkansas Humanities Council, operating under the brand name HumanitiesAR as of spring 2024, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, the organization promotes understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities across the state through grantmaking, public programs, community forums, and partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
Key facts about Arkansas Humanities Council
- EIN
- 71-0459112
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $106,232
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- Average grant
- $9,657
- Median grant
- $9,253
- Total assets
- $339,276
- Primary geography
- Arkansas (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- All applications are submitted through Foundant, an online grant management system. Application deadlines are 11:59 PM on the specified deadline date.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Arkansas Humanities Council funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Arkansas Humanities Council's 11 itemized 2024 grants were Arkansas (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Little Rock, AR (7 grants) and Fayetteville, AR (2 grants). None of its 11 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Further Exempt Purpose" (11 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$339K
-3.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$106K
-7.5% YoY
Grant Count
11
-15.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+9.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization's mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities by encouraging the discovery and understanding of diverse and mutual experiences.
The organization defines the humanities as the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition. Core activities include reading, writing, storytelling, research, and public dialogue and conversation.
Primary program areas include:
- Grants to nonprofit organizations for humanities-based programs
- Program development and technical assistance
- Engagement of educators across Arkansas
- Support for storytelling from local historians, authors, and scholars
Grantmaking
Recent grantees have included Friends of North Little Rock History ($14,601), Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art ($10,625), and Living the Dream Media ($9,000).
Grant Range
s and Types:**
Review Cycle
are 11:59 PM on the specified deadline date
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Arkansas Humanities Council?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Arkansas statewide. The organization awards grants to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools throughout the state.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Data (Fiscal Year Ending October 2024):
- Total Revenue: $1.56 million
- Total Expenses: $1.48 million
- Total Assets: $339,000
- Total Liabilities: $155,000
Prior Year (Fiscal Year Ending October 2023):
- Total Revenues: $1,301,425
- Total Expenses: $1,345,420
- Total Assets: $351,475
- Total Grants, Contributions, etc.: $1,299,565
- Investment Income and Dividends: $610
Total Giving: $323,945 (based on most recent filing)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $339,276 | $351,475 | $184,676 |
| Revenue | $1,557,638 | $1,301,425 | $1,091,261 |
| Expenses | $1,475,708 | $1,345,420 | $1,074,608 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,872 | $626 | $760 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
15 open opportunities from Arkansas Humanities Council
AHC Access to the Humanities Grant
Arkansas Humanities Council
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
AHC Arkansas State Park Field Trip Grant
Arkansas Humanities Council
Amount
Up to US $1,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
AHC Black History and Culture Grant
Arkansas Humanities Council
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Central Arkansas Library System ($14,250), Arkansas Association of Instructional Media ($13,342), University of Arkansas at Little Rock ($13,059).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Arkansas Library System Little Rock, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $14,250 |
| Arkansas Association of Instructional Media Hot Springs, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $13,342 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock Little Rock, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $13,059 |
| University of Arkansas at Fayetteville Fayetteville, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $12,859 |
| Preserve Arkansas Little Rock, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $11,689 |
| Historic Cane Hill Inc Cane Hill, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $9,253 |
| Arkansas Imagination Library Little Rock, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $7,500 |
| Living the Dream MediaInc Little Rock, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $7,466 |
| Arkansas Emergency Medical Foundation Little Rock, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,930 |
| Arkansas Association of Black Psychology Professionals Little Rock, AR | FURTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE | $5,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Board Chair: Lea Russ-Glenns
- Executive Director: Jama Best
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JILLIAN HARTLEY | Board Secretary | 1 | — |
| LEATRICE RUSS-GLENNS | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| MEL ZABECKI | Board Vice-Chair | 1 | — |
| BETTYE GRAGG | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| Catherine Wallack | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dr Brian Jones | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dr Christine Busser | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dr Lisa Speer | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dr Temma Balducci | Board Member | 1 | — |
| Dr Tricia Starks | Board Member | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH SHORES | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMES METZGER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH KEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JUDY COSTELLO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KATHY ANDERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| Larry Foley | Board Member | 1 | — |
| LEITA SPEARS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TAMELA TENPENNY-LEWIS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| Tim Nutt | Board Member | 1 | — |
| TIPPI MCCULLOUGH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| Jama Best | Executive Director | 40 | $118,712 |
| Katie Dailey | Chief Financial Officer | 40 | $75,165 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The organization rebranded in spring 2024 with HumanitiesAR as its operating name, reflecting a commitment to accessibility and strengthening community ties through the humanities while maintaining its official legal name as Arkansas Humanities Council.
NEH Awards $2.8 Million to State and Jurisdictional Humanities ...The organization received federal funding through the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the State and Jurisdictional Humanities Councils General Operating Support Grants program. From FY 2019-FY 2023, the NEH issued $9,119,603.43 to support 35 projects in Arkansas overall.
NEH Awards $2.8 Million to State and Jurisdictional Humanities ...Contact Information
Address: 1400 West Markham Street, Suite 307 Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501.353.0349
Email: info@humanitiesar.org
Website: www.humanitiesar.org
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
EIN: 71-0459112
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Arkansas Humanities Council fund?
The organization's mission is to empower Arkansans to connect with and promote understanding, appreciation, and use of the humanities by encouraging the discovery and understanding of diverse and mutual experiences. The organization defines the humanities as the study of history, literature, ethics, philosophy, language, and the various legal, cultural, religious, and folk traditions—past and present—that define the human condition. Core activities include reading, writing, storytelling, resear…
How do I apply for a grant from Arkansas Humanities Council?
**Grant Sizes and Types:** • Typical awards range from $5,000 to $14,601 • Major Grants and other grant categories are available • Organizations may only have one grant open at any given time **Active Grant Opportunities:** • AHC Arkansas State Park Field Trip Grant • AHC Helen T. Leigh Museum Field Trip Grant • AHC REACH Grant **Application Process:** • All applications are submitted through Foundant, an online grant management system • Application deadlines are 11:59 PM on the specified deadl…
Where does Arkansas Humanities Council make grants?
Arkansas statewide. The organization awards grants to nonprofit groups, organizations, teachers, and schools throughout the state.
What size grants does Arkansas Humanities Council award?
In 2024, Arkansas Humanities Council awarded 11 grants totaling $106K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Arkansas Humanities Council's EIN?
Arkansas Humanities Council's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 71-0459112. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Arkansas Humanities Council's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated June 2026.