Reimagining the Future
Several local organizations are looking to the past as they envision what’s next for their communities.
The Pulaski Heights Baptist Church building on Kavanaugh Boulevard will now be owned by the nonprofit Hillcrest Commons. Hope Church, Pulaski Heights Baptist Church and the Hillcrest Farmers Market will continue to use the property for the time being with plans to host community events and become a “social hub for the residents of Hillcrest,” according to Arkansas Business.
Avanza Arkansas is another newly formed nonprofit that supports families who qualify as ALICE, or “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” — meaning they work, but are still unable to afford basic necessities. The group recently announced its 2026 initiatives designed to empower underserved communities with bilingual programs in business, finance and leadership.
Beyond the Divide, a three-month collaboration between the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, studioMAIN, Philander Smith University and others, is underway to reconnect the once-thriving West Ninth Street to the rest of downtown with “people-focused” programming, art, infrastructure and “tactical urbanism.” Learn more at studio-main.org/beyond-the-divide.
Gifts & Grants
UAMS raised more than $1.3 million during its eighth annual Day of Giving, setting a new record, while likewise receiving a $250,000 gift from Marcia M. Smith to create the Phillip Lance Smith, M.D., Fund for Excellence in Interventional Radiology in recognition of her late husband. Meanwhile, The Chancellor’s Circle, UAMS’ premier annual giving society, awarded 14 grants totaling $273,072 to address the institution’s highest priorities at its recent awards ceremony.
Entergy Arkansas’ annual Power to Care Charity Golf Classic raised a record-breaking $189,000, with a dollar-for-dollar match reaching $378,000 to help elderly and disabled customers keep their power on in times of need.
The Central Arkansas Library System received a $55,000 grant from Comcast to support its Digital Literacy Guides Program.
Forward Arkansas will provide $12,000 flexible grants to five school districts — including eStem Public Charter Schools and Little Rock School District — to pursue outcomes-based contracting for high-impact tutoring.
The Arvest Foundation awarded $92,500 in grants to support health initiatives at 12 central Arkansas organizations: American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin Arkansas, American Heart Association, Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation, Arcare, CARTI, The Centers, Central Arkansas Volunteers in Medicine Clinic (Harmony Health Clinic), Easterseals Arkansas, Goodness Village, Grand Prairie CASA, Methodist Family Health Foundation and the Wade Knox Children’s Advocacy Center.
Big Moves
Arkansas Children’s hired Brandon Yoder as its new executive vice president and CFO.
The Quapaw Quarter Association named Morgan Weithman as its new executive director.
City Year Little Rock named Jeremy Hill as its new senior vice president and executive director.
Kristin Koenigsfest announced she is stepping down as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas.
Megan Davenport is the new chief resource officer of Girl Scouts – Diamonds.
LifeTouch Health (formerly Arkansas Hospice’s Family of Care) named Dr. Jessica K. Ellis as its new vice president and COO.
The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra appointed Shea Barham and Satia Spencer as co-directors of the new ASO Children’s Choir.
The Methodist Family Health Foundation named Nikki Shannon as its development officer for northeast Arkansas.
Alzheimer’s Arkansas added Kaelyn Armistead to its board of directors.