Charities and Community Support in August 2025: What You Need to Know

When you think about charities, organizations that operate to help people without aiming for profit. Also known as nonprofit organizations, they charitable groups, they rely on donations and volunteers to run programs that feed the hungry, educate kids, or support families in crisis. These aren’t just big names you see on TV—they’re local food banks, tutoring programs, and college grant offices working quietly in towns across America.

Who keeps these groups going? volunteering by race, how different racial and ethnic groups contribute time to community efforts tells a story that’s more complex than most assume. In August, we looked at real data from U.S. community service trends and found that while some groups report higher volunteer rates, the real issue isn’t who gives the most—it’s how to make giving easier for everyone. Meanwhile, Arkansas Future Grant, a state-funded program helping residents pay for college shows how local policies can directly connect support with opportunity. This grant isn’t just money—it’s a tool that turns eligibility rules into real access for students who might otherwise fall through the cracks.

These three things—charities, who shows up to help them, and how funding reaches those in need—are all parts of the same system. One doesn’t work without the others. A charity can’t serve meals if no one volunteers to cook. A student can’t go to college if they don’t know the grant exists. And no one learns about these things unless someone explains them clearly. That’s what we focused on in August: cutting through the noise and giving you the facts you can actually use.

Below, you’ll find three guides that break down exactly how these systems work. One explains the five main types of charities so you know where your money goes. Another shows you the real numbers behind who volunteers—and why it matters for your neighborhood. And the third walks you through every step to qualify for the Arkansas Future Grant, with no jargon, no fluff, just what you need to apply.