Heart of Arkansas United Way, formerly United Way of Pulaski County, serves central Arkansas with grants to local programs and ALICE-focused work. Established in 1923, it covers three counties around Little Rock. Here is what it does, how to get help, and how to give.
The affiliate, formerly United Way of Pulaski County, raises money and directs it to programs and partners across central Arkansas through its Community Investment Grants. It focuses its work on ALICE: Arkansans who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.
Its grants serve Pulaski, Lonoke, and Saline counties. Lynn Pharr serves as president and CEO, and the organization was established in 1923.
Arkansas residents can dial 211 to reach Arkansas 211, the statewide helpline that connects callers to local services. Heart of Arkansas United Way supports that work and funds local programs across its three counties.
| Program | What it does |
|---|---|
| Arkansas 211 | The statewide helpline connecting callers to food, housing, and other local services. |
| Community Investment Grants | Funding directed to local programs in Pulaski, Lonoke, and Saline counties. |
| ALICE focus | Work centered on households that earn above the poverty line but below a basic cost of living. |
| Disaster response | Community response and resiliency work after local emergencies. |
Free tax preparation is also available across Arkansas through United Way's VITA network, which helps working families claim credits at no cost.
Heart of Arkansas United Way builds its work around ALICE: families that earn more than the federal poverty line but less than a basic cost of living. The framework helps the affiliate target its Community Investment Grants where need is greatest.
That focus keeps the work centered on the many working households in central Arkansas that remain financially fragile.
You can donate directly, give through a workplace campaign, or designate a gift to a specific cause. Donations support the affiliate's Community Investment Grants.
Volunteers help across the region's programs. Heart of Arkansas United Way holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator with a 96 percent score, and its EIN for tax-deductible gifts is 71-0329790.
The statewide helpline connecting callers to services.
Funding directed to local programs in three counties.
Work centered on households that cannot afford basics.
Community response and resiliency after emergencies.
Programs that strengthen local communities.
Payroll campaigns that fund the affiliate's work.
Sources: Heart of Arkansas United Way (heartaruw.org) community investment and disaster pages; Arkansas 211; Charity Navigator and ProPublica (EIN 71-0329790). Retrieved June 2026. We are not affiliated with Heart of Arkansas United Way and receive no compensation for this listing. Spotted an error? [email protected]
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