Foundation Grants
Community Vital Signs
About Us
Charitable Matchmaker: Arkansas Community Foundation Makes Philanthropy Accessible
Foundation: Arkansas Community Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
When Mary McLeod founded the Arkansas Community Foundation in 1976, she didn't just set out to create a foundation in Little Rock.
She set out to create a statewide one that would reach all of the state's 75 counties.
"If that had been the case, the rest of the state would not have had access to community funding," CEO Heather Larkin tells the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Today, the ARCF is the largest grant-maker in the state, awarding more than $600 million in grants since 1976, with 29 local offices across the state.
What makes the ARCF unique is that it allows individuals, families, nonprofits, and businesses to create endowments that can be used for the public benefit, Larkin tells the Democrat-Gazette.
"It does not matter who you are," she says.
"Any Arkansan can create a fund."
The fundholders range from people who have an interest in helping pets, art, or feeding initiatives to others in the community who need funds to accomplish shared goals.
The ARCF was started with a $258,000 grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in 1976, Larkin tells the Democrat-Gazette.
"They wanted this to be statewide because we are a fairly small, relatively poor state, which is easy to travel, and we can impact
Read the Entire Article
Selected Foundation News
A customized collection of news from foundations from around the Web.
Young leaders inspire at Orange County National Philanthropy Day event.Orange County is celebrating its first-ever national philanthropy day.The event was hosted by the Orange County Foundation for...more
Foundation: Ivey Foundation
9 Canadian Charities, Wealthy Families Pledge $405M for Climate Philanthropy.Part of a bid to triple Canadian climate philanthropy by 2030.$150 million from Trottier Family Foundation, $100 million...more
Although not all Greek Life organizations on campus belong to a national organization, proceeds from charity events and fundraisers are often donated at the national level.There are a myriad of...more
The 2024 Giving Report illustrates philanthropic giving trends and their impact on the charitable sector.For the 11th consecutive year, the number of Canadians making charitable donations has...more
Eight researchers from the Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland have been recognised as future leaders.They have received Tāwhia te Mana Research Fellowships from the Royal Society Te...more
The Nebraska Scholastic Writing Awards aim to identify middle and high schoolers with exceptional creative talent.There is a $10 entry fee per submission and a $30 fee for a portfolio...more
The Rural Urban Exchange program brings arts education to children in the region that suffered losses during the flood in July of 2022.The initiative focuses on fostering trust and providing a...more
Josh Mimbs, Cross Creek Elementary's Digital Learning Specialist, shared innovative ways to incorporate technology into fine arts education.Mimbs identified a need for more digital learning resources...more
Darrell Steinberg is the new mayor of Sacramento, California.He has pledged to grow the city's arts and culture community.The Creative Edge Plan, adopted by the Sacramento City Council in 2018, put...more
The Contemporary History Play: New Readings, New Audiences - News and events, University of York.Professor Benjamin Poore and Dr Rebecca Benzie, School of Arts and Creative Technologies.They argue...more
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
“Saving Seeds is a Political Act”
Vandana Shiva, a scientist and environmentalist known for her activism against GMOs, globalization, and patents on seeds and traditional foods, co-founded Navdanya.