Fresh faces, big honors and the return of a beloved fundraiser are all in this month’s snapshot of the news worth noting in Little Rock nonprofits.
#GIVINGTUESDAY
Junior Achievement USA felt the love on Giving Tuesday as the nonprofit received a $42,000 check from Simmons Bank that “will fund work-readiness and financial literacy skills for children across Simmons’ footprint.”
RAISE A GLASS
On March 11, the 32nd Annual Arkansas Business of the Year Awards will celebrate 35 businesses, nonprofits and executives from across The Natural State. The event is hosted by our sister publication, Arkansas Business, and features finalists selected by an outside panel of judges.
Winners will be announced at the ceremony, but first, a round of applause for these finalists in philanthropy.
Nonprofit Organization:
• Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch
• Central Arkansas Rescue Effort for Animals (CARE)
• Children’s Advocacy Centers of Arkansas
• Thea Foundation
• Women & Children First
Nonprofit Executive:
• Marcy Doderer, Arkansas Children’s
• Larry Freeman, Synergy Saturday
• Ben Goodwin, Our House
• Marta M. Loyd, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute
• Janell Mason, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas
• Wayne Miller, The Venture Center
Learn more at ArkansasBusiness.com/ABOY.
BIG MOVES
► The Baptist Health Foundation named Lena Moore (left) as its new chief development officer.
► CareLink recently added two new board members to its ranks, Little Rock locals Nicolas Corry and Harrison Kemp (center).
► Ron Ekstrand (right) is now the president and CEO of Easterseals Arkansas.
A LARGER COMMUNITY PRESENCE
Ballet Arkansas has been a part of the fabric of Little Rock for 41 years as a nonprofit organization, presenting a diverse array of professional dance performances and education programs. With each new endeavor, Ballet Arkansas strives to evolve, innovate, collaborate and be accessible to the community.
Annually, the organization invites more than 225 children and adults to join them onstage as members of the cast of their beloved production of “The Nutcracker.” Now, for the first time in many years, Ballet Arkansas’ 2020 lineup features new opportunities for community dancers to share the stage with professionals.
Ballet Arkansas’ “Cinderella” (Feb. 20-23) will feature 60 dancers ages 10-18, while the interactive “Snow White” (April 25-26), told from the eyes of the evil witch, will feature a younger community cast.
Reaffirming their commitment to the community, organizers assure us guests can expect to see more opportunities like this in the future.
SAVE THE DATES
DESIGNER HOUSE XXV
April 10 – May 10
Celebrating a milestone year, this biennial event invites top interior designers and landscapers to transform one home, complete with a month of tours and events to benefit the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Guild.
SAINTS & SINNERS
May 2
After taking 2019 off to rebuild, the Arkansas Repertory Theatre’s signature gala is back with full-on glitz.
Send your nonprofit news to Info@LittleRockSoiree.com