Anniversaries, heartbreak and more of the news worth noting in local nonprofits.
A Historic Loss
Due to extensive damage from a fire in March, the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock announced the historic St. Joseph Center of Arkansas will be demolished, citing that “the building is structurally unsound and cannot be salvaged at a reasonable rate compared to the cost to rebuild.”
Following the announcement, center operators declared intentions to continue running the on-site farm in partnership with local gardeners and community groups.
“We are hopeful that the Diocese of Little Rock will support our ongoing mission to cultivate knowledge, sustainability, environmental stewardship and community spirit through agriculture by allowing us to lease the farm for the next 100 years or giving us the opportunity to purchase.”
Update: On July 31, St. Joseph’s announced it received notice that its lease would be terminated in January 2026. Read more here.
Gifts & Grants
The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium at UA Little Rock received a $800,000 grant from NASA to support aerospace research, workforce development and STEM education. Meanwhile, Bank of America donated $45,000 to the University of Arkansas Foundation to support incoming freshmen at UA Little Rock and community health efforts led by UAMS.
Thea Foundation received a $7.5 million endowment and $400,000 bridge grant from the Windgate Foundation, the largest in Thea Foundation’s history.
Arkansas Children’s recently received two transformative donations: a $1 million estate gift from Darrow Jones of Jones & Son Diamond & Bridal Fine Jewelry and a $1 million gift from the Bale family to establish the Bale Family Endowed Chair in Pediatric Interventional Radiology honoring Drs. Joanna and Robert Seibert.
The J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation provided a $500,000 challenge grant to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana to support the construction of a RMHC space inside Baptist Health.
Run Wild
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the Little Rock Zoo released plans for a $12 million expansion, “one of our most ambitious projects yet.” Updates include renovations to the front plaza and amphitheater, as well as lots of new animal habitats and spaces to explore. Construction is expected to continue through fall 2026, and is funded in part by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation and private donations.
Save the Date
As August marks Black Philanthropy Month, the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative is looking ahead to its fifth anniversary on Dec. 2. ABPC’s mission is to “design solutions for social change and help local nonprofits develop a shared transformational plan rooted in the aspirations, culture and history of underserved communities across Arkansas” and to “[shift] the narrative around who is seen as a philanthropist.” Learn more at wegivetoo.org and at theabpc.org.
Big Moves
After 18 years, Sherece West-Scantlebury will retire from her role as president and CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation in October.
Jennifer Cobb is now president and CEO of the Achieve Community Alliance.
C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., has been named interim chancellor of UAMS after Cam Patterson stepped down in July.
Goodness Village hired Brooke Bridges as its new director of development.
Rebecca Berry was hired by Excel by Eight as communications manager.
Dr. Tansel Karabacak was hired as dean of the UA Little Rock Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and Dr. Ginger Gummelt as dean of the College of Business, Health and Human Services.
Economics Arkansas added six new board members: Brian Beasley, Stephen Lane, Sam Phillips, Zeb Prothro, Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria and Ron Witherspoon.
Ballet Arkansas appointed Mary Keck as its director of engagement, while Colin Neel has moved into the role of director of production.
The Methodist Family Health Foundation added S. Lee Rush as its community engagement manager.