“Transformational” gifts, post-tragedy recovery efforts and more of the news worth noting in local nonprofits.
Gifts & Grants
Women & Children First received a “transformational gift” of $1 million from Cindy and Chip Murphy, leading the Campaign of Courage capital initiative in support of its upcoming Forest of Hope Family Peace Center.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital received a $1 million donation from Gary George of George’s Inc. in Springdale to support its eight-year expansion project.
A $1.65 million grant from Alice Walton’s Art Bridges Foundation will support a new collaboration between the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Fisk University Galleries in Nashville, Birmingham Museum of Art and Mississippi Museum of Art, which will showcase traveling exhibitions with art from each collection.
UAMS received a five-year, $2.99 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study unusual DNA structures and their potential for targeted disease therapies.
The Baptist Health Foundation received $213,000 in grants from the American Cancer Society and National Breast Cancer Foundation for women’s health and oncology initiatives, including providing transportation and lodging assistance to those undergoing treatment.
Little Rock Public Radio received a grant worth nearly $50,000 from the Roy and Christine Sturgis Charitable and Educational Trust to fund new studio equipment and provide “a significant upgrade in its broadcasting capabilities.”
UA Little Rock received two grants totaling $75,000 from the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation to support two student success initiatives: the University Career Services Internship Program and the Richard B. Dixon Endowed Scholarship Fund for the department of history.
Local Love
Following a devastating fire in March, the St. Joseph Center of Arkansas has begun the recovery process of its historic grounds, including the resurrection of its farm stand that will support these efforts. Learn how you can help at stjosephcenter.org.
New Digs
Our House recently broke ground on a new batch of housing units on East Roosevelt Road that will accommodate unhoused families, as well as space for the nonprofit’s operations and holistic services to get Arkansans back on their feet.
In west Little Rock, Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas officially opened the doors of its new ReStore in the Colony West Shopping Center where locals can donate and shop for new and gently used home decor, furniture and building materials with proceeds going to the organization.
The Van has been on a wild ride this year, first attempting to purchase a space to serve as a permanent emergency shelter, then turning to crowdfunding when the deal fell through. The nonprofit recently pulled in more than $20,000 in a 4-to-1 donation match to fund the building of its own no-barrier shelter from the ground up.
Big Moves
Janell Mason, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana, has been appointed to serve on the RMHC Global Board of Trustees.
Riva Brown has been hired as executive director of the Greater Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Michael R. Mayton has been named chair of the AMFA Foundation. Larry Middleton, Mary Ritchey and Miles Stephens were named foundation directors, and Harriet and Warren Stephens now have the title of directors emeritus.
Goodwill Industries of Arkansas named Ron Meijerink its senior vice president and chief operating officer.
The Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund added four new members to its board of directors: Meredith Hale, Shae Hughes, Marshunda Jones and Sara Neal.
Junior Achievement of Arkansas appointed new leadership roles to its central regional board of directors including Samantha Sanders as chairman, Kelly Suen as vice chairman and Russ Martin as treasurer.