New digs, big moves and more of the news worth noting in local nonprofits.
New Digs
The Clinton Foundation is set to purchase the Heifer International campus. Heifer — which now only utilizes two floors of the 94,000-square-foot building — initially planned to sell the campus to Lyon College to house its dental and veterinary schools. The new deal aligns with the Clinton Foundation’s expansion plans in the area, including more space for the Clinton School of Public Service and Clinton Presidential Library operations.
The Little Rock Regional Chamber recently reported the Clinton Presidential Center contributed nearly $4.9 billion to the local economy in its 20 years downtown, a number this new addition will undoubtedly help grow.
High Praise
At the 37th annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards, the Morgan Nick Foundation took home the title of Nonprofit Organization of the Year, while CARTI received top honors as the 2025 Arkansas Business of the Year.
The Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate recognized Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day by passing a resolution highlighting the critical role women play in shaping communities and acknowledging the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas for improving the economic mobility of women and girls.
Gifts & Grants
UA Little Rock received a $1.5 million donation from the Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation to endow its Nursing Center for Simulation Innovation director position, as well as a $4.65 million grant to expand cybersecurity education and a $750,000 grant to study water use in agriculture.
At UAMS, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute received a $1.9 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to study environmental links to breast cancer.
Ronald McDonald House Charities received a gift of more than $250,000 from Dillard’s.
The Museum of Discovery received $20,000 from Summit Utilities to expand STEAM education for Title 1 schools.
Big Moves
Emily Piechocki is the new chief development officer for the Arkansas Foodbank.
The Arkansas Repertory Theatre named Steve H. Broadnax III as its new artistic director.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana named Tawny Basinger its first-ever chief philanthropy officer.
Cynthia Ramey is now the southeast Arkansas regional coordinator for AR Kids Read.
Adrienne Elrod joined the Arkansas Cinema Society Board of Directors.
Joey Sammons and Karen Walker joined the Alzheimer’s Arkansas Board of Directors.
Rodney Abston, Misty Baugh and Detrich Wiley joined the UA Little Rock Foundation Fund Board, while the Alumni Board added four new members: Amber Booth-McCoy, Aaron Huntley, Arlton Lowry and Sharmin Moody.