Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Nonprofits in Northeast Arkansas will have increased support next year, as the United Way of Northeast Arkansas unveiled its recipients for the 2027 funding cycle.
On June 25, the organization held an event at Harmony Gardens, where it announced a total community investment of $426,360.
The investment package combines $266,360 in direct grants distributed across 15 regional nonprofit agencies and $160,000 for United Way’s Community Connect program. The approved allocations will be distributed in monthly installments throughout 2027, spanning from January to December.
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Executive Director Heather Coats emphasized the cycle relies heavily on the impact of everyday local donors.
“Your $10 a year matches thousands of people’s $10 a year, and that’s how we get to these amounts,” she said.
The distribution of these funds follows an evaluation process that begins with a house compliance check. Following the initial review, applications are turned over to a regional impact committee tasked with evaluating community needs.
According to Coats, this committee is designed to reflect the region’s actual demographics.
“It’s made up of people all over the community representing people in education, healthcare, all of our industries, factory workers,” she explained. “It’s a really good representation of what our community looks like.”
The impact committee spends a full day reviewing applications and financial requests before passing its recommendations to the United Way Board of Directors, which retains final voting authority.
To ensure transparency and financial accountability, all funded partner agencies must undergo financial audits twice a year and participate in regular site visits by United Way staff. Coats noted that this process maximizes the value of local donations.
“When you give to us, your money is distributed to all of them,” she said. “We’ve done the legwork for you. That’s kind of our special sauce.”
The 2027 grant allocations span various services, including food security, healthcare accessibility, and crisis advocacy. While emergency basic needs like food pantries remain a focal point for funding in Arkansas, Coats pointed to a growth in requests for mental health services.
“I don’t think it’s because it’s new; I think we’re just recognizing it… There was more of a taboo to talk about it, and now there’s not,” she said.
Beyond the agency grants, the largest single amount announced was the $160,000 to maintain United Way’s internal Community Connect initiative. Coats said this serves as an immediate safety net for real-time emergencies, delivering fast assistance to individuals calling the office in crisis and to local organizations facing sudden problems.
The full breakdown of the 15 funded partner agency programs includes:
- Options on Main: $5,000
- Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas: $40,000
- Family Crisis Center: $40,000
- Helping Neighbors Food Pantry: $35,000
- El Centro Hispano: $25,000
- Jonesboro Church Health Center: $20,000
- City Youth Ministries: $15,000
- Mission Outreach: $15,000
- CASA 2nd Judicial District: $14,360
- Legal Aid of Arkansas: $11,000
- Cherry Valley Food Pantry: $10,000
- Hope Found: $10,000
- Methodist Family Health Foundation: $10,000
- Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund: $8,000
- Breaking Bonds Ministries: $8,000
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