Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant

The Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program supports African American historic preservation and public programming projects in Arkansas. It welcomes applications year-round for initiatives such as historical research, exhibits, and community heritage projects. Key focus areas include projects that enhance African American history, document heritage, and promote collaborative efforts. The program prioritizes first-time applicants and has specific criteria for eligibility and funding restrictions to ensure impactful and sustainable projects.

Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program
The Curtis H. Sykes Memorial Grant Program provides support for African American historic and historical preservation and public programming projects in Arkansas. The program accepts grant applications year round. Past projects include historical research, exhibits, workshops, publications, oral history interviews, documentary films and cemetery preservation and documentation.
Who was Curtis H. Sykes?
Curtis H. Sykes was born in 1930 in the Dark Hollow community of North Little Rock. He was a tireless community activist and historian. Sykes was an educator for over 34 years, was a school principle and served as a charter member of the North Little Rock History Commission. Sykes was an original member of the Black History Advisory Committee, now The Black History Commission of Arkansas (BHCA), in 1991. He served as its chairman from 1993 until his death on Sept. 9, 2007. During his time as the BHCA chair, he pushed for legislation to have African American history taught in Arkansas schools, leading to the pass of Act 326 of 1997. The former chairman was posthumously awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Historical Association in 2008. In 2009, the Arkansas General Assembly named this grant program in his memory (Act 660).
Evaluation Criteria Includes:
Track record as a previous grant recipient in grant reporting, meeting project deadlines, success of project vs. project goals, etc…Likelihood that project can be completed within proposed timeline
Likelihood that project can be completed with available funds

Eligibility

Who Should Apply:Groups or organizations formed for nonprofit or not-for-profit purposesOrganizations do not necessarily have to hold 501(c)3 status to applyProjects that preserve, commemorate, disseminate or enhance the heritage of African Americans in ArkansasProjects that generate or acquire archival material on African Americans in ArkansasProjects that have an on-going or long-lasting impact on African American history (e.g., exhibit, archival collection, preservation effort, recurring event, historical marker)Projects that document and protect community heritageCollaborative projects that promote the history and heritage of African Americans in Arkansas

Ineligibility

The program does not fund:Projects that exceed $3500 in requested funds
Regular courses offered for credit or associated costs (e.g., textbooks)
State agencies or support groups of state agencies
Costs of funded projects expended outside of the established grant contract period
Operational expenses, like salaries, rent, storage or utilities
Purchases of property or real estate
“Brick and mortar” projects – construction, renovation, etc.
Contributions or donations to individuals
Equipment purchases that will not be used on an ongoing basis for the same or a closely related purpose