Bright futures, high praise and more of the news worth noting in local nonprofits.
Bright Futures
The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas launched Innovate for Good, the new signature initiative of WFA’s Girls of Promise program. The competition encourages girls in grades 6-12 to find STEAM-based solutions for community needs. The inaugural challenge is focused on cybersecurity, and finalists will be judged at the UA Little Rock Research Expo in April.
Donna Terrell’s Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer, the nonprofit created by Fox16 News anchor Donna Terrell after losing her daughter Queah to the disease, is putting down new roots in Pine Bluff. Donna Terrell’s Warrior Lodge at Jefferson Regional will provide no-cost lodging for cancer patients undergoing treatment and their families. It’s slated to open in summer 2025.
Nonprofits, businesses and community leaders are teaming up with the Arkansas Asset Funders Network to back the newly launched ALICE@Work initiative. The program is designed to help employers invest in and support Arkansans who are considered “ALICE” (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed), meaning they earn above the federal poverty level, but are still unable to afford basic necessities. Area supporters include the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, Heart of Arkansas United Way, Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas and Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation.
Gifts & Grants
The Arkansas National Guard Foundation gifted more than $38,000 to support the development and implementation of the Arkansas Military Service and Security Pathway, a virtual curriculum for high schoolers that provides in-depth study of military history and encourages interest in careers in military service.
As part of its Centennial Campaign, UA Little Rock surpassed $200 million, shattering its record for the largest amount raised in a single campaign.
The Nabholz Charitable Foundation donated $1 million toward Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s historic $318 million expansion.
The Chancellor’s Circle, UAMS’ premier giving society, announced a total of $350,000 in grants to 17 programs and organizations. This includes joining the Arkansas Imagination Library’s Books From Birth program, which will provide a new book each month for the first five years of life to every baby born at UAMS.
High Praise
At Arkansas Business’ inaugural Arkansas Executive of the Year Awards, Melissa Dawson, president and CEO of The Centers, took home the gold in the Large Nonprofit Organization category.
The UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute was designated as a MDS Foundation Center of Excellence, the only one in Arkansas, for its top-notch bone marrow disorder treatment.
Big Moves
J. Michael Nauman was appointed as interim CEO at the Museum of Discovery following Kelley Bass stepping down after 12 years.
Home for Healing added Rennie Jenkins and Ari Crum to its board.
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas added Ervin “Pete” Dennis as vice president of mission services, Jherrithan Dukes as vice president of education and training and new board members Jeff Byers and Mike Poore.
The Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency (ARORA) hired John Bedsworth as manager of family services coordinators and Torrey Hammond as manager of information technology.
Katelyn LaBudde and Barbara Riggin were appointed to the central Arkansas board of Junior Achievement of Arkansas.