Nonprofits

Jessica Ford, new president and CEO of the Arkansas Community Foundation, talks with Roby Brock about the group’s 50th anniversary, COVID response and a $1 million statewide grant initiative.

New Fayetteville initiative Spare Change hopes to open a free thrift store, relying on small monthly donations and community support to provide clothing, food and goods at no cost.

Arkansas Community Foundation turns 50 this year. Leaders discuss the foundation’s history, grantmaking and a special anniversary initiative distributing more than $1 million to nonprofits statewide.

Bentonville High School students partner with Autism Involves Me for Aim to Give, a campaign to provide sensory bags with noise-reduction headphones and fidget toys to local businesses in northwest Arkansas.

Women’s Foundation of Arkansas executive director Annabeth Gorman says recent DEI-related policy shifts are creating funding hesitations and unintended consequences for long-running programs that support women and girls.

On today's show, we hear how a shift in attitude for some toward DEI comes with challenges for programs placing a priority on women and girls to stay fully funded. We also visit Discover Fort Smith's new Visitor Center on Garrison Ave. Plus, exploring the possibility of an ocean on Mars.

The Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative gathers funders and nonprofits for its fifth annual convening in Little Rock, featuring keynote speaker Charles Blow and its annual Black Philanthropy Award.

Arkansas Support Network CEO Sarah Evans talks with Sophia Nourani about the Funk Festival fundraiser, a new community-building summit on Mount Sequoyah and why both events matter for Arkansans relying on disability services.

On today's show, we celebrate twenty years of impact from the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas. We’ll also discuss the balance between AI technology and health advice, and highlight the upcoming second annual Funk Festival fundraiser for the Arkansas Support Network.

A Fayetteville nonprofit is helping international students feel at home—one couch at a time. Student reporter Lauren Davidson shares how Furniture Friends delivers donated furniture and friendship to newcomers at the University of Arkansas and beyond.