River Valley United Way’s Community Impact Grants

River Valley United Way (RVUW) offers Community Impact Grants aimed at supporting nonprofit programs that address critical issues within Pope, Johnson, and Yell Counties in Arkansas. These grants are structured to invest in initiatives that align with RVUW’s four central Impact Areas: Youth Opportunity, Healthy Community, Financial Security, and Community Resiliency. These focus areas reflect RVUW’s broader mission to develop collaborative, community-led solutions that create sustainable improvements across the life span of residents—from childhood through career and beyond. The grant process is competitive and designed to evaluate both emerging and established nonprofits on the potential impact and alignment of their programs with RVUW’s objectives. Community volunteers, who are specially trained, conduct a detailed review of each proposal, including in-person site visits, and use a scoring rubric to assess fit and effectiveness. This structure ensures that awarded programs meet pressing community needs and are positioned to deliver measurable, long-term results. The grant cycle operates on a two-year basis. The first step in the application process is submitting a Pre-Application Form, which serves as an expression of intent to apply and is used to assess initial eligibility and alignment. Organizations that pass this preliminary stage are invited to submit a full application. During the application phase, applicants can receive support from RVUW staff during scheduled office hours for questions and clarifications. A mandatory component of the grant process is a site visit by the volunteer review panel. These visits allow reviewers to directly engage with program staff, observe facilities, and better understand the proposed services. Applicants are also encouraged to actively promote RVUW’s annual fundraising campaign, which determines the total funding pool available for distribution. Key deadlines in the process include a May 30 deadline for Pre-Applications, with full applications due between June 6 and July 7. Site visits occur from July 14 to August 15, and preliminary applicant notifications (without award amounts) are provided in late August. Final award amounts, determined by the success of the fundraising campaign, are communicated in January 2026, accompanied by formal grant agreements and reporting expectations. The Community Impact Grant process embodies River Valley United Way’s philosophy of community empowerment and strategic giving. It aims to reinforce partnerships that create holistic, life-stage-spanning support systems for residents, strengthening the fabric of the River Valley region.