Each grant is a story waiting to be heard

Meet The Team

The Simmons First Foundation is fortunate to have a dedicated team of professionals at the forefront of our mission to make a positive impact. With a strong commitment to our community our team is constantly working towards achieving our goal of making a real difference in the lives of youth. We are proud to be a part of this purpose-driven team and we wholeheartedly believe in the power of "Making a Difference". Together, we are driven to make a lasting impact through our work with the Simmons First Foundation.
J. Thomas May
Chairman & CEO
Shannon Morgan
Executive Director
Jamie Green
Office Manager

Empowering Youth Through Community Grants

Simmons First Foundation is devoted to enhancing youth development through targeted grant funding. We strive to empower 501c3, religious or governmental organizations across a six-state footprint (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas) that focus on building brighter futures for young individuals (K-12) in our communities. Our goal is to make a difference by financially supporting quality programs in the form of seed gifts to nonprofit entities that are developing or expanding programs benefitting youth.

Simmons First Foundation Grants

Letters of Intent Deadline Information
The timeframe to submit Letters of Intent (LOI) is April 6 through June 30. Please visit the pages below to read about our grant criteria for the 2027 grant cycle. 
 We are always happy to assist you. Our team is well-versed in the grant application process and can provide you with the necessary guidance and support.

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Grant Information - LOI



NEW CRITERIA FOR THE 2027 GRANT CYCLE (WILL APPLY ONLY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE GRANT AND ENVIORNMENTAL GRANT CATEGORIES)
The grant window will open April 6 and remain open through June 30. During this time, we will accept Letters of Intent (LOIs) for review. The LOI process is an important first step that allows the Foundation to assess program alignment, potential impact, and organizational capacity before inviting full applications. This approach helps streamline the review process, reduces the burden on applicants, and ensures that invited proposals are strongly aligned with our funding priorities. LOIs will be limited to no more than two (2) pages and should be submitted to grants@simmonsfirstfoundation.com. Once LOIs are reviewed, selected organizations will receive full applications on July 1, with a deadline to return completed applications by July 31. PLEASE NOTE: ENTITIES APPLYING FOR A SIMMONS FIRST FOUNDATION GRANT ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE CUSTOMERS OF SIMMONS BANK.


LOIs will include: 1.) An introduction (including amount requested) 2.) Organization description 3.) Statement of need 4.) Project approach 5.) Project budget

Grant Information

Make a Difference Grants





  • 2027 Make a Difference Grant Update Grant Window: April 6 - June 30 (LOI Submission) Application Window: July 1 – July 31
  • Funding Range: s $2,500-$50,000
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  • For the upcoming grant cycle, funding will be limited to programs focused on: Special Education: K-12 Youth with disabilities, including physical disabilities, developmental and cognitive disabilities, and sensory impairments. (examples including): - Inclusive theater and performing arts programs - Adapted, hands-on STEM learning - Accessible coding, robotics, and maker-space activities - Science-based learning adapted for diverse abilities - Assistive technology and adaptive learning tools - Adaptive physical education and recreation programs Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention: K-12 Youth (examples including): - Evidence-based prevention programs targeting alcohol, opioids, vaping, and other substance use - Skill-building programs that focus on refusal skills, decision making, coping strategies, and peer pressure resistance - Early intervention programs for at-risk youth - Recovery support services for youth in early recovery (including peer support groups, mentoring, and relapse prevention planning) - Youth-focused programs that teach emotional regulation, anger management, and non-violent communication - Intervention programs for youth exposed to or at risk of violence - Peer mediation and restorative justice programs that reduce disciplinary incidents and promote accountability
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  • Please see our grant criteria page for more details

Grant Information

Environmental Grant





  • 2027 Environmental Grant Update Grant Window: April 6 - June 30 (LOI Submission) Application Window: July 1 - July 31
  • Funding Range: $2,500 - $50,000 Funding in this area will now be specifically directed toward programs serving youth (K–12) with disabilities, including physical disabilities, developmental and cognitive disabilities, and sensory impairments. Environmental Grant examples include: - ADA-compliant gardens - Sensory-friendly nature trails - Hands-on STEM and environmental learning programs, such as: - Adapted STEM curriculum designed for diverse learning needs - Use of assistive technology (e.g., screen readers, adaptive lab equipment, communication devices) - Multisensory learning approaches (visual, tactile, auditory) to support engagement - Small-group or individualized instruction for enhanced accessibility - Project-based learning that emphasizes real-world environmental problem solving - Mobility-accessible learning stations - Mobility-accessible outdoor programs, such as: - Wheelchair-accessible trails, boardwalks, and outdoor classrooms - Adaptive equipment (e.g., all-terrain wheelchairs, accessible kayaks, modified gardening tools) - Programs designed to ensure full participation regardless of physical limitations
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  • Please see our grant criteria page for more details

Grant Information

Mini Grant





  • Mini Grant Program (2026 Funding Cycle) Grant Window: April 6 – October 31 Award Amount: $1,000 – $2,500
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  • Criteria: Programs must pertain to youth (K–12) in the areas of education or health care. Mini Grants are intended for immediate (short-term) needs, and applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization. Eligibility Note: If an entity received a Mini Grant in 2025, they will not be eligible to apply again until 2027. Application Note: Mini Grants will not require a Letter of Intent (LOI).
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  • **To request a Mini Grant application, please reach out using the contact form on this website or email grants@simmonsfirstfoundation.com**
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Grant Criteria





  • General Grant Qualifications: - The entity must be in the county of a Simmons Bank facility. - Entity must be a 501c3 organization (this will include religious and governmental organizations) **Schools qualify as a governmental organization** - Excludes State/County/City Government Agencies (i.e. State of, County of, City of, etc.) - The grant cannot be for administrative expenses, nor can it be used to replace existing sources of funding. - The agency or entity must show that it has the capacity to support the initiative or new/existing program for at least two years after our funds are used in year one. - We do not require the entity to be a customer of Simmons Bank to apply for a grant.
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  • We Do Not: - Buy tables at events - Fund sponsorships or general donations - Purchase vehicles - Fund building construction projects (generally fall under capital campaigns) - Fund administrative costs which include, but are not limited to: salaries, benefits, office supplies, and utilities - Fund annual operating expenses which include but not limited to: rent, accounting, office equipment, repairs, and maintenance. - Fund capital campaigns - Fund one-time usage requests (i.e. Foodbank or food distribution, backpack programs, etc.) these requests generally fall under donations and will be forwarded to the local Simmons Bank branch level for donation consideration. - Fund other foundations (i.e. Community Foundations, or others where the funds will go into a general fund for their own projects/disbursement). - Fund United Way agencies, unless they have a program specifically for youth directly. Usually, a partner agency will reach out to apply for a grant. - Approve padded requests which would include taxes, supplemental income, shipping, etc. - Allow Simmons Bank associates to commit or infer approval without an approved grant application from the Foundation
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Arkansas
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    • ARTx3 (Pine Bluff) - $12,000
    • Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County (Pine Bluff) - $19,357
    • Conway Regional Health Foundation (Conway) - $8,501
    • Francis A Allen School for Exceptional Children (Little Rock) - $18,810
    • Gardner Strong Elementary (Strong) - $25,000
    • Kiwanis Activities of Little Rock (Little Rock) - $9,573
    • Mount St. Mary Academy (Little Rock) - $5,000
    • Nettleton Public Schools (Jonesboro) - $18,720
    • North Little Rock Public Library System (North Little Rock) - $10,725
    • Old Wire Elementary School (Rogers) - $14,958
    • Timothy Hill Ranch (Searcy) - $13,120
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    • Kansas
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    • Holy Savior Catholic Adademy (Wichita) - $20,000
    • Kansas Aviation Museum (Wichita) - $21,164
    Missouri
    
    • FosterAdopt Connect (Springfield) - $7,500
    • Heart of Missouri CASA (Columbia) - $11,900
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    • 2026 Make a Difference Grantees

    
    • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma (Tulsa) - $20,266.50
    • Glencoe Public Schools (Glencoe) - $24,906
    • Lincoln Academy (Stillwater) - $11,000
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    • Oklahoma
    Tennessee
    
    • Christ's Legacy Academy (Maryville) - $3,515.27
    • CodeCrew (Memphis) - $8,000
    • Friends of Heart (Jackson) - $24,875
    • IOTA Community Schools (Memphis) - $12,000
    • My Town Miracles (Memphis) - $5,490
    • New Hope Children's Advocacy Center (Maryville) - $17,000
    • The Edison School (Memphis) - $3,510
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    • Texas
    
    • Callisburg ISD (College Station) - $3,088.71
    • Sherman ISD (Sherman) - $4,998.85
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    • 2026 Environmental Grantees

    Arkansas
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    • ARTx3 (Pine Bluff) - $3,338
    • Boys & Girls Club of Union County (El Dorado) - $12,500
    • Dunbar Community Garden (Little Rock) - $9,000
    • Wildwood Park for the Arts (North Little Rock) - $25,000
    Texas
    
    • Boys & Girls Club of the Brazos Valley (Bryan) - $10,000
    Kansas
    
    • Genesis Foundation for Fitness & Tennis (Wichita) - $18,900
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    • Oklahoma
    
    • Lincoln Academy (Stillwater) - $13,550
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    • Inquiry Form

    P. O. Box 5268Pine Bluff, AR 71611-5268
    
    Physical Mailing Address:501 S. Main StreetPine Bluff, AR 71601

    Contact Us

    • The Simmons First Foundation will "Make a Difference" by identifying and supporting nonprofit entities that are improving the lives of youth in our communities.
    Phone: 870-541-1091
    Email: grants@simmonsfirstfoundation.com
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