PHOTO: From left, Paul Shuffield, executive director of the Clark County Community Foundation; Earnestine Hatley, CCCF board member; Arkansas Community Foundation CEO Jessica Ford; and Pat Wright, executive director of the Community Family Enrichment Center.
Arkansas Community Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a bold investment in the state’s future with more than $1 million in grants to Arkansas nonprofits and supporting a wide range of community needs in every corner of the state.
The anniversary grantmaking recognizes both the Foundation’s historic role in building community philanthropy across the state and its forward-looking commitment to data driven funding. These grants seek to address the highest need areas and strengthen Arkansas communities for generations to come.
A press conference announcing the 50th anniversary gifts took place on January 21 at the Foundation’s headquarters in Little Rock. The event included remarks from Chief Program Officer Linsley Kinkade and President and CEO Jessica Ford, and featured representatives from the Foundation’s board of directors, staff, affiliate leaders from across Arkansas, and nonprofit partners representing this year’s grantees.
“For 50 years, Arkansans have shown that local generosity, multiplied statewide, creates lasting change,” said Tracy Cude, board chair for Arkansas Community Foundation. “These anniversary grants honor that legacy while investing in the next half-century of community leadership.”
Grants will support 47 nonprofit organizations through three distinct grant tiers, designed to recognize long-standing nonprofit leaders, rising nonprofits showing innovation and promise, and nonprofits locally chosen by each of the Foundation’s 29-affiliates:
“Legacy Grants” were awarded to nine organizations receiving $50,000 each. These nine grants celebrate nonprofits with a proven record of statewide or regional impact.
“Rising Nonprofit Grants” were awarded to nine organizations receiving $30,000 each. These nine grants highlight new, emerging organizations shaping Arkansas’ future through innovative approaches and impact.
Twenty-nine $10,000 locally chosen affiliate grantees were each selected by the Foundation’s local affiliate boards to meet the most pressing needs in their communities.
Among those $10,000 grant recipients is the Arkadelphia Community Family Enrichment Center.
The grantees represent a cross-section of Arkansas. They are from rural to urban, Delta to the Ozarks, and address a spectrum of issues including education, food security, health, childcare, workforce development and more.
“Every grant tells a story of impact, whether it’s helping students succeed, improving health outcomes, or addressing food insecurity,” said Kinkade. “By combining statewide data with local insight, we’re ensuring that these anniversary investments create lasting value across Arkansas.”
Grant decisions were guided by Aspire Arkansas data, the Foundation’s publicly available community indicators resource. This data-informed process ensures equitable investment across regions and focuses funding on areas of documented community need.
This month, the Community Foundation is also ushering in new leadership following the retirement of longtime CEO, Heather Larkin. Jessica Ford, formerly the Foundation’s chief communications officer, has stepped into the role of president and CEO.
“The Foundation enters this leadership transition and milestone from a position of fiscal health and a culture built on local trust and statewide collaboration,” said Larkin. “This moment represents not an ending, but a new beginning for Arkansas philanthropy, and I am confident in Jessica’s leadership.”
“I am honored to step into this role and to build on the strong foundation Heather and our statewide network have created,” said Ford. “Our 50th anniversary is a powerful reminder of what Arkansans can achieve together, and I’m committed to carrying that momentum forward.
To learn more about the history of Arkansas Community Foundation and to find more information about each grantee, visit arcf.org/50.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
