Go Grant Arkansas: How the Program Helps Homeless Shelters

If you've heard people in Arkansas talking about the "Go Grant," they're not joking around—it’s the real deal for shelters that need cash to help folks off the street. This grant sends money straight where it’s needed most: beds, meals, showers, and on-site support. It isn’t a maze of red tape, but you still need to know the basics or you’ll miss out.

The Go Grant mainly targets shelters taking in people facing sudden housing crises. We're talking about actual homeless individuals, families in trouble after a disaster, or those escaping tough situations. You won’t see this money going to long bureaucratic projects. The state wants shelters to use it for stuff people actually need right now, like bunk beds, blankets, meal supplies, or even quick rehab help. If Max (my dog) ever lost his cozy bed, I’d want a fast fix—same concept here but for people.

The program gets funding from the Arkansas Department of Human Services. They hand it out once a year, but applying in time is key because money runs out fast. A lot of shelters don’t realize how competitive these grants are, and waiting until the last minute is almost a guarantee you’ll miss out.

• Go Grant Basics: What It Is and Who Runs It
• Who Qualifies and What the Money Covers
• Applying for the Go Grant: Steps That Matter
• Tips for Shelters: Getting and Using the Funds
• Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)

Go Grant Basics: What It Is and Who Runs It

The go grant Arkansas program puts real money in the hands of shelters that need it for day-to-day survival work. This is a state-backed grant set up by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), not a private group. If you’re running a shelter or thinking about opening one, this is one of the first sources of help you’ll want to check out because it’s been around since 2019 and has pumped millions into local communities.

What’s unique about the Go Grant is its focus on immediate help. The idea isn’t to fund big building projects or research papers but to deliver what folks actually need right now: safe beds, meals, heat in the winter, and showers that work. When shelters apply, officials look for direct impact—how fast these funds help people in crisis.

Every year, the amount of grant money can shift based on what lawmakers set aside and how much demand is expected. Here’s what the recent numbers looked like:

This isn’t just a tiny pool of cash. The state’s pretty transparent with the process—they post the application window and guidelines clearly on the DHS website every spring. You don’t have to be a giant shelter either. Small, rural nonprofits and bigger-city centers have all qualified. It’s about the need, not the size or popularity.

The actual people running the show are over at DHS’s Office of Community Services. If you ever have questions, you can call or email them directly—no mystery, no endless phone trees. Just be sure to look for official notices because deadlines are strict. You miss the window, you’re out ’til next year. That’s burned a few folks before who waited too long to get moving.

Who Qualifies and What the Money Covers

The go grant Arkansas is designed specifically for groups and nonprofits that run emergency or transitional shelters in the state. If you're thinking about applying as an individual, sorry, this grant is for actual organizations, not for single folks or families. Shelters have to be open at least most nights of the week and show they’re helping people who would otherwise have nowhere to go.

To qualify, a shelter must usually meet these requirements:

• Legally registered as a nonprofit or city/county-run program
• Located inside Arkansas state borders
• Serves people facing real homelessness, not just those with unstable housing
• Open to adults, families, or youth—just depends on their setup
• Must be up-to-date with paperwork and not flagged for fraud or misuse of funds in the past

Now for what shelters can spend their grant money on. The state spells this out pretty clearly. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Beds, cots, mattresses, pillows, sheets
• Cooking equipment, food, and kitchen supplies
• Basic renovation for safety—think smoke alarms, not marble floors
• Utility bills so the lights and hot water stay on
• Transportation for clients to jobs, doctor visits, or legal appointments
• Short-term counseling or addiction support

Big warning: You can’t use Go Grant money for staff salaries, buying vehicles, or fancy stuff like computers—those are dealbreakers. Stick to supplies, food, or basic needs for clients and the shelter itself.

Here’s a handy table showing what’s allowed and what’s off-limits for Go Grant spending:

In 2024, the average award for Arkansas shelters ranged from $8,000 to $22,000, depending on size and need. The smaller places usually got less, and the state gave priority to counties with bigger homeless numbers.

Applying for the Go Grant: Steps That Matter

Nailing your Go Grant Arkansas application isn’t rocket science, but you really have to follow some clear steps. Miss one, and you’re probably out. As of 2025, here’s what you need to do if your homeless shelter wants the best shot at this grant.

1. First, check eligibility. Your shelter must be in Arkansas, serve homeless people directly, and have all your proper state registrations up to date. Only shelters with a track record of helping the homeless make the short list. If you’re a new group, you’ll need solid proof you can actually handle the job.
2. Go to the Arkansas Department of Human Services website when the grant window opens (usually every spring—last year it was April 3 to May 31). Download the most up-to-date application form for the go grant Arkansas.
3. Gather your paperwork. You’ll need your nonprofit documents, proof of your shelter’s 501(c)(3) status, a budget showing what you’ll spend the money on, and a short impact story (real numbers help—like how many beds or meals you helped provide last year).
4. Fill in the application honestly and don’t skip any fields. It asks about your staff numbers, experience, funding from other sources, and specific needs. Be ready to explain exactly what the money will go toward—think "25 mattresses and new plumbing" not just "shelter improvements."
5. Attach supporting documents. If you forget that IRS determination letter or mess up your signatures, you’re straight on the rejection pile. Triple-check before sending—seriously.
6. Submit everything online by the deadline. Don’t wait until the last day. The server’s crashed before, and late apps just don’t make it in.
7. After you submit, watch your email. Sometimes they’ll ask for clarification or missing paperwork. If you snooze on this, your app could get tossed.

One more thing—write like you’re talking to someone who has no clue what your shelter does. Simple, direct language makes it easier for reviewers to approve your request. No points for fancy words or fluff—just show you meet the need and can handle the support.

Tips for Shelters: Getting and Using the Funds

If you’re new to the go grant Arkansas process, or just want to get better at it, there are a few things you don’t want to ignore. The grant isn’t just free cash—there’s paperwork, clear rules, and some follow-up reporting that have to happen.

Here’s what shelters need to do to boost their odds and get the most real value from these funds:

• Start with a Clean Application. Ask for exactly what you need. If you need beds, say beds. Don’t write paragraphs about your "mission." Back up requests with current numbers: "We shelter 36 people per night, 11 of them seniors." This makes decision-makers’ jobs easy.
• Stay on Deadline. In 2024, some Arkansas shelters lost out just by missing paperwork by a few days. Watch for DHS announcements and mark your calendar. The application window’s usually about six weeks.
• Keep Your Receipts. DHS wants to know where the money goes. Save invoices, take phone snaps of purchases, and make a simple expense log. One missed receipt can create a headache.
• Tie Requests to Urgent, Visible Needs. Asking for kitchen upgrades to serve hot food? Snap pictures of your beat-up stove. Arkansas reviewers say showing problems works better than fancy words.
• Ask for Help If You’re Stuck. DHS has a contact line and, believe it or not, they answer. Shelters that pick up the phone get answers quicker and make fewer mistakes.

“Keeping it simple and providing real numbers always helps your application stand out. We’re not looking for essays—we’re looking for impact.”
— Sarah Judd, Arkansas Department of Human Services, May 2025

Shelters that actually get funded tend to use their money fast and on essentials. Here’s a quick look at what was funded across Arkansas last year:

A final tip: if you’re working with a small team or lots of volunteers, even splitting up the paperwork makes the Go Grant process less overwhelming. Keep updates casual but regular, so you never scramble at the deadline. Max, my dog, would back me up—teamwork just works better.

Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)

Getting a go grant Arkansas sounds straightforward, but shelters hit a lot of snags that can make or break whether they see a dollar. Missed deadlines? That’s the biggest culprit. In 2024 alone, 29% of otherwise eligible shelters got nothing just because their paperwork landed late. Don’t let that be you.

Another issue: unclear budgets. The application wants to know exactly how each dollar will be used. If your budget is vague (“supplies” or “needs”), the state folks tend to put your request at the bottom of the pile. Instead, break it down: how much for bunks, how much for food, how much for emergency medical help.

Here’s a quick look at common mistakes that held up last year’s applications:

Attachments are no joke. Forget a signed letter or proof your shelter is legit, and your application goes nowhere. Always double-check the checklist before you submit anything. I like to print it out and tick boxes off with my pen—basic, but it saves headaches.

The state also pays attention to follow-up plans. If you just say, “We need money,” but don’t show what happens after, you risk being seen as unprepared. Spell out how you’ll check if the grant made a difference—track numbers: people housed, meals served, or beds filled.

One last biggie: don’t try to cover stuff the Go Grant doesn’t pay for, like major building projects or admin salaries. Stick to what’s on their approved list. If you’re not sure, call the Arkansas Department of Human Services—they actually answer and will tell you what’s what. Keeps things simple and gets you closer to the help your shelter needs.