River City Ministry

What River City Ministry does

River City Ministry (RCM) is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1989 as an outreach ministry of the Levy Church of Christ and incorporated as an independent nonprofit in 1993. Headquartered at a single facility at 1021 East Washington Avenue in North Little Rock, Arkansas, RCM provides an integrated suite of direct human services to homeless and near-homeless individuals in Central Arkansas, including meals, food pantry, medical clinic, pharmacy, dental clinic, vision services, clothing, day shelter, showers, transitional housing, case management, drug/alcohol counseling referrals, and Christ-centered spiritual services. The organization operates with a paid staff of five and is sustained primarily by volunteer professionals (doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, social workers) alongside individual donors, faith-based partner agencies, and corporate sponsors.

The organization has no proprietary technology platform; its core "product" is in-person service delivery coordinated through a unified physical facility, supplemented by an online donation portal (rivercityministry.ddock.gives), a Squarespace website, and standard social media channels. Service lines have been added incrementally over three decades (medical clinic 1994, dental 2001/2007, HUD housing program management 2013, transitional housing via Hand Up Housing partnership), with measurable outputs including approximately 50,000 meals served in 2024, roughly 1,500 dental appointments per year, and 25 individuals currently housed across five homes, one duplex, and eight apartments. RCM has previously served as the HUD-designated Homeless Day Resource Center from 2006 to 2013.

Revenue is generated entirely through donations and fundraising, not service fees. Stream sources include individual one-time and recurring donations (monthly giving, end-of-year gifts), tax-advantaged giving vehicles (appreciated stock, QCDs from IRAs, donor-advised funds, charitable trusts) facilitated by Ameriprise Financial and Arkansas Community Foundation, four annual signature events (River City Run/Walk 5K in August, Souper Bowl Sunday in February with tiered tickets up to $330 VIP, Fresh Start Day in May, Giving Tuesday in December with up to $25,000 matching), and passive digital channels (Amazon Smile at 0.5% of eligible purchases, Kroger Community Rewards). The Souper Bowl sponsorship structure ranges up to a $6,600 season pass. No equity funding, institutional investors, parent company, or subsidiaries are identified.

Name

River City Ministry

Legal name

River City Ministry

Website

https://rivercityministry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

River City Ministry is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit in North Little Rock, Arkansas that provides integrated medical, dental, food, housing, and spiritual services to homeless and near-homeless individuals in Central Arkansas, funded through donations, fundraising events, and volunteer labor.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Homeless and Social Services Nonprofit

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Community Housing Services (62422), Community Food Services (624210)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

Keywords

• Homeless social services
• Charitable dental clinic
• Community food pantry
• Transitional housing program
• Faith-based nonprofit ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

North Little Rock

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time, monthly, and annual monetary gifts from individual donors. Donors can give directly via the organization's website or through mail. These gifts support food, clothing, showers, medical, dental, pharmaceutical, vision, counseling, social, spiritual, and housing services.
2. Tax-Advantaged Giving Programs: RCM promotes appreciated stock donations, Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from IRAs, donor-advised funds, and charitable trusts as tax-efficient giving strategies. A third-party wealth advisor (Tom Dematti, Ameriprise Financial) and the Arkansas Community Foundation are referenced as facilitators.
3. Kroger Community Rewards: Donors link their Kroger loyalty card to RCM via code #80245; a percentage of qualifying purchases is donated to the organization through the Kroger Community Rewards program.
4. Amazon Smile: Amazon donates 0.5% of eligible purchases when customers select River City Ministry of Pulaski County as their charitable recipient via smile.amazon.com.
5. Event-Based Fundraising: Proceeds from signature events — River City Run/Walk 5K, Souper Bowl Sunday, Fresh Start Day, and Giving Tuesday — serve as major fundraising channels, with matching gift campaigns amplifying contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

River City Ministry provides free, faith-based social services to homeless and near-homeless individuals in Central Arkansas through an integrated on-site program at its North Little Rock facility. Services include adult medical and dental clinics, on-site pharmacy, vision care, USDA food pantry, hot meals, day shelter, showers, clothing, case management, drug/alcohol referral, and scattered-site transitional housing, complemented by spiritual counseling and Bible study. Operations are funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, faith-based community partnerships, and volunteer professional staff.

Product overview

River City Ministry is a faith-based nonprofit offering a unified portfolio of social services to the homeless, near-homeless, and marginalized in Central Arkansas. The organization operates as a single integrated ministry combining multiple service lines: Spiritual Services (counseling, Bible study, devotionals), Social Services (case management, housing programs), Food Services (meals, food pantry), Medical Clinic, Pharmacy, Dental Clinic, Vision Services, Clothing, Day Shelter, and Bus Pass assistance. Additional programs include Volunteer and Internship opportunities, transitional housing through a Hand Up Housing partnership, and fundraising events (Souper Bowl of Caring, Fresh Start Day, River City Run/Walk 5K). The ministry also offers donation mechanisms via AmazonSmile and Kroger Rewards. All services are coordinated through the main facility at 1021 E Washington, North Little Rock, AR, with the stated mission of meeting basic human needs and connecting people to God through Christ-centered relationships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Spiritual Services Spiritual counseling, prayers, Bible study, and pastoral guidance offered Monday-Friday 8am-3pm, including Disciple's Bible Class on Wednesdays at 9:30am, daily lunch Bible study at 11:00am, and Sunday Meal Devotional at 1:45pm. For homeless and near-homeless individuals, donors, and volunteers at RCM.
• Social Services Case management, transitional housing program, and drug/alcohol rehab counseling and networking resources available Monday-Friday 9am-2pm for homeless and near-homeless individuals, including management of HUD housing programs for homelessness prevention and intervention.
• Food Services USDA food pantry (Tuesday 9:15-10:45am, Thursday 12:15-2pm), DHS emergency food provider, weekday breakfast at 8am, hot lunch at noon following 11am devotional, and Sunday meal at 2pm for homeless and near-homeless individuals in Central Arkansas.
• Medical Clinic Adult medical clinic providing general medical services by appointment, serving uninsured adults without Medicare or VA benefits and income below 200% of the poverty level. Phone lines open Monday and Wednesday at 8:30am for scheduling.
• Pharmacy Services On-site pharmacy providing 30-day supplies of medication for River City Ministry patients. Does not fill outside prescriptions.
• Dental Clinic Two-chair charitable dental clinic serving Pulaski County residents by appointment. Screening appointments available by calling at 10am on Thursdays. Serves approximately 1,500 dental appointments annually.
• Clothing Services Emergency clothing provided on-site as available to homeless and near-homeless individuals at the North Little Rock facility.
• Vision Services Eye clinic offering full eye exams and prescription eyewear when available. Exam appointments and eyeglasses available by calling for scheduling, serving Central Arkansas residents in need.
• Day Shelter Day shelter services Monday-Friday 8am-3pm including case management, resource counseling, showers, toiletries as available, fax service, phone and message service for homeless and near-homeless individuals.
• Bus Pass Program Referrals for free 31-day bus passes through partnership with Rock Region Metro and St. Francis House. Applicants must be homeless and meet certain requirements. Offered Monday and Thursday mornings from 8:30-10am at RCM.
• Transitional Housing Program Partnership with Hand Up Housing providing temporary scattered-site housing arrangements for individuals and families. Five homes, one duplex, and eight apartments for men, women, and families. Currently housing 25 residents with case management, wrap-around services, and affordable rent.
• Volunteer Program Faith-based volunteer program accepting Impact Volunteers (long-term), One-Time & Special Project Volunteers, Professional Volunteers (doctors, nurses, dentists, accountants, etc.), Volunteer Groups, and Interns. Minimum age 18 for unchaperoned volunteers.
• Internship Program 9-week summer internship training ground for ministers, social workers, missionaries, and those serving the poor, homeless, and addicted. Includes $4,500 recommended fundraising requirement with $500/week stipend. Work days 8am-3pm Monday-Friday with daily devotionals and weekly mentor meetings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served approximately 50,000 meals in 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record.

• Potluck Food RescueOthersFood rescue organization that donates surplus food to RCM, helping reduce food costs and provide quality meals. RCM's Souper Bowl fundraising provides funds to purchase additional food and supplies.
• Arkansas Food BankOthersMajor food bank supplying RCM's pantry and meal programs. Combined with Potluck Food Rescue and donor funds, enables RCM to serve approximately 50,000 meals annually.
• Hand Up HousingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint transitional housing initiative with RCM providing scattered-site temporary housing for individuals and families. RCM and Hand Up Housing work together to provide case management, wrap-around services, and community building for participants.
• Rock Region MetroOthersPartnership providing free 31-day bus passes through referrals for homeless individuals meeting certain requirements. Bus pass referrals offered Mon/Thu mornings 8:30–10:00am at RCM.
• St. Francis HouseOthersPartner with Rock Region Metro and RCM to provide free 31-day bus passes for homeless individuals who meet eligibility requirements.
• Rock City RunningOthersPacket pickup location for the annual River City Run/Walk 5K, offered Friday August 28th from 10am–6pm at 11121 N Rodney Parham Rd, Ste. 37B, Little Rock.
• Arkansas Community FoundationOthersRecommended by RCM for donors wishing to set up charitable giving instruments (charitable trusts, donor-advised funds, etc.) for a small fee. RCM receives no compensation for this referral.
• Ameriprise Financial (Tom Dematti, AAMS)OthersWealth advisor in Little Rock, AR who authored the Tax Advantage & Retirement Planning guide featured on RCM's website. Provides tax-efficient giving strategies (appreciated stocks, QCDs, charitable trusts) for RCM donors.
• River City Church of ChristOthersSister ministry of RCM. Some clients served by RCM attend River City Church of Christ. Interns are welcome to attend and assist with worship or Bible classes at River City Church. RCM began as an outreach ministry of the Levy Church of Christ.
• Levy Church of ChristOthersRCM began in 1989 as an outreach ministry of the Levy Church of Christ at Silver City Courts (HUD housing community). Executive Director Paul Wilkerson serves as shepherd and staff member at Levy Church of Christ.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Dallas Life Foundation: Faith-based nonprofit in Dallas providing meals, emergency shelter, medical and dental care, recovery programs, and transitional housing — closely comparable in scale, integration of services, and faith-based holistic approach.
• City Union Mission: Faith-based nonprofit in Kansas City providing emergency shelter, meals, medical and dental clinics, addiction recovery, and transitional housing for homeless populations — comparable Mid-South comprehensive service model.
• Stewpot: Faith-affiliated Dallas nonprofit providing meals, day services, medical and dental care, case management, and recovery services to homeless and poor individuals — directly comparable in service integration and target population.
• Nashville Rescue Mission: Faith-based nonprofit in Nashville providing meals, shelter, medical/dental care, addiction recovery, and transitional housing for homeless and poor individuals — highly comparable in service portfolio and Christ-centered mission.
• Union Rescue Mission: Faith-based nonprofit in Los Angeles providing comprehensive services (meals, shelter, medical, dental, recovery programs) to homeless and near-homeless individuals — a direct comparable in mission, faith-based integration, and integrated service model.
• Potter's House: Faith-based nonprofit in Atlanta (and other cities) providing meals, shelter, medical/dental care, and recovery services for homeless individuals — comparable comprehensive services model with faith-based mission integration.

Regional players

• Our House: Little Rock, AR-based nonprofit operating shelter, food services, and case management for homeless families and individuals — operates in the same Pulaski County market with overlapping service lines.
• Bethlehem House: Little Rock, AR nonprofit providing transitional housing and supportive services for homeless families with children — a direct geographic peer in the transitional housing space.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army: National faith-based nonprofit providing shelter, meals, addiction recovery, and social services across hundreds of U.S. locations — broader incumbent with overlapping service categories and faith-based mission.
• Catholic Charities USA: National faith-based social services network providing housing, food, case management, and healthcare to vulnerable populations — broader incumbent operating in housing and food insecurity verticals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rcm_tweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/RiverCityMinistry
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/river-city-ministry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about River City Ministry