Community Investment Grants

Click here to access our grant portal

Community Investment Grants will open June 17. Community Investment Grants are available to organizations that serve or operate in Pulaski, Lonoke, or Saline Counties. For more information about using our grants portal, click on "How to Apply Using Foundant" below. Applications will be due Friday, July 19.

To apply: Log in to Foundant here. Click Apply.

If you are interested in applying, click through the tabs below to learn more or download our summary document here. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Mollie Palmer at mpalmer@heartaruw.org.

  • Funding Range: $3,000-$12,000 for half-year, with opportunity to renew after site visit in winter 2025.
  • Community Investment Grants will be awarded in August, based on volunteer review of grant applications, and paid out in two payments, made in September and December. In winter of 2025, volunteers will conduct site visits. Site visit and a brief report will serve as the opportunity to renew the grant for two additional payments in March and June, contingent on United Way campaign results.
  • Awarded funds will not have restriction on use toward administrative expenses associated with the program, with two exceptions: grant funds may not be directed toward capital campaigns or solely for reserve funds. However, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate how the requested expenses will lead toward program outcomes. 

 

  • Timeline:
    • June 17: Grants Available
    • July 19: Grant Applications Due
    • Late August: Grant Announcements made
    • September and December: Grant Payments Made
    • Winter 2025: Site Visits
    • February 2025: Renewal Grant Announcements made
Community Investment Grants focus specific programs making a measurable impact within our focus areas. Community Investment Grants are not intended as basic needs funding. Following the adoption of our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, we've defined our focus areas in more detail. Click on each focus area below to download our focus area descriptions.
 
Education – Preparing children and youth to succeed in school and life.
Financial Stability – Helping individuals and families pave a path to long-term financial stability and economic mobility.
Health – meeting the mental health needs of individuals and families in our community and helping people move from trauma to healing.
 
In addition, individuals and families living below the ALICE threshold are the target population for all grant funded programs. Applicants should meaningfully demonstrate how their work impacts ALICE individuals and families, and/or those living below the Federal Poverty Line. 
All applicants must meet and provide evidence of the following requirements (download guidelines and requirements here):
 
  • Recognized 501(c)3 non-profit, tax exempt organization and/or a tax-exempt entity by the IRS
  • Locally based volunteer board of directors or management body that meets at least quarterly, makes policy decisions and holds election of officers
  • Registered with the Arkansas Secretary of State, if required
  • Compliance with all applicable anti-terrorist financing and asset control laws as outlined by the federal Patriot Act
  • Serve or operate in Pulaski, Lonoke, and/or Saline Counties 
     

Financial Requirements:

Agencies will be required to submit a signed copy of their more recent IRS form 990 or (990 EZ).
 

Grant Guidelines:

  • Organizations may apply for funds to start a new program or support an existing program.
  • Heart of Arkansas United Way does not typically fund:
    • Arts and Culture
    • Sports teams and recreation
    • Environmental projects
    • Capital expenditures such as building, plans, construction, or renovation.
    • Proselytization or direct religious activities.

IMPORTANT: To apply, log in to our grant portal here. Click Apply. At the top right of the page, enter access code: CIG2023 

To learn more about how to use our application portal, watch the videos below.