Arkansas Community Foundation

Meridith Armstrong, an 8th grade history teacher at Goza Middle School in Arkadelphia, was awarded $5,000 from The AHEAD Fund on January 27 at the Arkansas Department of Education building in Little Rock.

January 27 marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorating the victims of the Holocaust. In 2021, thanks to the efforts of former Governor Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas passed a state law requiring Holocaust education be taught in all public schools for grades 5-12. In 2023, Governor Sarah Sanders signed legislation into law that designates the last week in January as Holocaust Education Week in Arkansas.

The AHEAD Fund (Arkansas Holocaust Education Award Donation) is held at Arkansas Community Foundation. The fund recognizes Arkansas educators who go above and beyond in teaching the powerful lessons of the Holocaust.

Click here to learn more about The AHEAD Fund.

David Ronnel, Founder of The AHEAD Fund and Meridith Armstrong, 2025 Winner

“We are thrilled to celebrate one of Arkansas’s finest educators, Meridith Armstrong. Her passion for teaching the Holocaust is inspiring,” said David Ronnel, Founder of The AHEAD Fund. “Her grandfather, a World War II veteran, instilled in her the importance of Holocaust education and remembrance. In her Arkadelphia classroom, Meridith brings creativity and energy. Holocaust survivors have spoken to her students and she assigns research projects and Ted Talks on the Holocaust. She incorporates Holocaust-specific art, music and food into her lesson plans while also helping her students gain empathy, understanding and appreciation for the things that makes us different, unique and most of all, human.

“On this day, 80 years ago, Allied troops march into the concentration camp known as Auschwitz. They witnessed unimaginable scenes of horror surrounding the systemic murder of more than 11 million people,” said Ronnel. “These liberators were heroes, freeing innocent men, women and children who somehow survived these atrocities.

“Today, the AHEAD Fund serves to honor the memories of the victims, survivors and liberators of the Holocaust. At the beginning of Arkansas’ second annual Holocaust education week, we are encouraged, knowing that more schools across Arkansas are teaching students about humanity’s darkest hours, so that it is never forgotten and never repeated.”

David Ronnel, Meridith Armstrong, Jacob Oliva, Arkansas Secretary of Education and Keith Brooks, State Representative

“Holocaust education is important because it can teach students to speak up against injustice, and act as allies to those who are unjustly targeted and marginalized,” Ronnel said. “It can create a more tolerant outlook by helping students become more open to viewpoints that might be different from there own. And, with the flood of misinformation online, including a growing number of claims denying that the Holocaust ever even happened, its important now more than ever, that students learn from the horrible mistakes of the past.”

A quasi-endowed fund was designed for people and organizations that want to enjoy the excitement of giving larger grants now along with the benefit of investing for future growth. These funds are invested in the markets to keep them growing, but there’s no limit on the amount that can be granted from your fund to the organizations you choose. A quasi-endowment requires a $100,000 minimum to start and the balance must remain above $50,000 for the first three years.

Download this one-pager to learn more about about how a quasi-endowment works.

A recent example of a quasi-endowment in action is held by Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas. Like many other nonprofits, Habitat relies heavily on annual giving and donations of all sizes year-round from their donors, but the use of a quasi-endowment allows them to access funds for emergency use and for special initiatives to boost their impact. The pandemic proved a prime example of this. It showed Habitat (and many nonprofits) the importance of growing and maintaining a strong reserve.

“Just like our homeowners must save for the closing costs of their new home, we must save for when a once-in-a lifetime opportunity presents itself to us as well,” said Kelly Fleming, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas.

Because of a quasi-endowment, Habitat is able to have an impact now, and preserve funds for future use.

In addition to quasi-endowments, the Community Foundation helps donors manage three types of funds depending on the amount they want to donate, desired impact and time horizon. Learn more about the multiple ways to give here.

Arkansas Community Foundation is honored to receive the 2022 Advancing Equity Award from the Clinton School of Public Service and their Center on Community Philanthropy.

Watch the announcement here.

The Advancing Equity Award is presented to organizations using innovative solutions to address racial inequalities in their communities and advance progress toward inclusion. The award recipients will receive support to continue and enhance their efforts. The National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) is an opportunity for people, organizations and communities across the United States to call for racial healing, bring people together in their common humanity and take collective action to create a more just and equitable world. NDORH is a part of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) effort – a national and community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change and to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism.

The largest grantmaker in the state, Arkansas Community Foundation is a statewide nonprofit organization that offers tools to help Arkansans protect, grow, and direct charitable dollars while learning more about community needs. The Community Foundation engages people, connects resources, and inspires solutions to build community. You understand your clients’ charitable goals. We understand smart giving. Partnering with the Community Foundation, you stay in control of your client relationships while we provide the tools and resources to make the philanthropic process simple, flexible, and efficient.

Here is what is going on and how the proposed changes might affect charitable giving strategies.

Under President Joe Biden’s proposed tax plan, taxpayers making more than $400,000 per year would be taxed at a top income tax rate of 39.6%, an increase from 37% under current law. That would mean charitable giving would become more advantageous under the new law for some taxpayers.

A separate provision in the proposed plan, however, would impose a 28% limit on charitable deductions for taxpayers who make more than $400,000 per year. This would mean that instead of avoiding income tax on charitable gifts at the rate of 39.6% as described above, these taxpayers would escape income tax only at a rate of 28%. (A similar provision was proposed, but never enacted, during the Obama Administration.)

The tax proposal also calls for increasing—from a maximum rate of 20% to 39.6%—the capital gains and dividend tax rates for taxpayers whose annual earnings exceed $1 million. For affected taxpayers, this change would create opportunities to avoid significantly more tax than is possible under current law for gifts of appreciated assets. An increase like this would create a huge incentive for philanthropists to support charitable organizations.

Next, the tax proposal calls for a 3% reduction of itemized deductions for taxpayers making more than $400,000 per year. This is reminiscent of the so-called “Pease Amendment” that was repealed in 2018. Although the reinstatement of this rule could have some negative effects on charitable giving, the rule’s impact would be blunted for taxpayers for whom the reduction is absorbed by other types of itemized deductions (mortgage interest payments, for instance).

Perhaps the component of President Biden’s proposal with the biggest potential impact on ultra-wealthy philanthropists is his intention to raise estate taxes and change the way capital assets are taxed after death.

Currently, the gift and estate tax exemption per person is $11.58 million and $23.16 million for a married couple. These amounts are effectively double what they were before the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). The TCJA calls for an automatic sunset of these increases on December 31, 2025, at which point the exemption will drop back down to $5 million per person, as adjusted for inflation. Under Biden’s proposed tax plan, though, the estate and gift tax exemption and rates would be restored to the lower levels of more than a decade ago.

In addition, Biden’s proposal calls for substantial elimination of the step up in basis from the taxpayer’s cost to fair market value at the time of death, further complicating existing estate plans for many families. Some philanthropists have deferred charitable gifts to 2021 under the assumption that tax laws will change dramatically.

Despite the uncertainty about exactly what might happen with the tax laws in 2021 and beyond, there are still opportunities for you to advise your charitable clients with conviction that they are doing the right thing for themselves and for the causes they care about. To that end, keep in mind the changes to the charitable contribution deduction for 2021:

Extends until 2021 the above-the-line temporary charitable deduction that was included in the CARES Act. Non-itemizer individuals in tax year 2021 can deduct $300 for cash contributions to qualifying public charities, and non-itemizer couples filing jointly qualify for $600. Donations to donor advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible for this deduction; however, we can create designated funds that qualify for the deduction.
Extends for one year the increased limit from the CARES Act on deductible charitable contributions for corporations and taxpayers who itemize. The limits for 2021 will be 100 percent of AGI for individuals and 25 percent of taxable income for corporations

As always, Arkansas Community Foundation can help you develop your clients’ charitable giving plans to maximize impact and tax savings. Contact us at 501-372-1116.

The next round of the Rural Relief Small Business Grants Program is now open. As part of their continuing commitment to elevate their impact in rural America, OneLISC is inviting small business owners in rural locations across the country to apply for the LISC-Lowe’s Rural Relief Small Business Grants program. Applications are open 1/26/21 through 2/2/21.

To find who is eligible, how the application process works and to apply, visit the LISC website. Rural LISC is committed to the integrity of the grant application process and to the security of applicants’ information. A couple of things to keep in mind:

Valid grant applications are only accepted through the links posted on the LISC website.
We will never request copies of personal documentation such as driver’s licenses, passports, and/or green cards.
The application is easy to fill out, requiring basic business information – professional grant writing assistance will not increase the chances of selection.
Rural LISC works with 92 partner organizations creating sustainable rural communities across 45 states. Visit our website here and if you would like to sign up to receive the Rural eNews each month, click here.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025, after the House of Representatives approved the Senate’s changes to H.R. 1, which passed the House by a narrow margin in May.

The OBBBA, with nearly 900 pages of provisions, reshapes policy across major sectors of the U.S. economy. Included in the OBBBA are several provisions that impact philanthropy. Three major takeaways are of particular importance as the Community Foundation helps donors, fund holders, and nonprofits, as well as attorneys, CPAs, and financial advisors–navigate charitable planning opportunities over the months and years ahead.

(Notably, the OBBBA omits several provisions that appeared in previous versions of the legislation, such as a proposed increase to the net investment income tax on private foundations.)

Insight #1: Standard deduction goes higher

What’s in the OBBBA?

The new law makes permanent the standard deduction increases under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), increasing the standard deduction for 2025 to $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 to taxpayers who are married and filing jointly. The new law also expands the “bonus” deduction for taxpayers 65 and older through 2028.

What’s more, under the new law, individuals who itemize may take charitable deductions only to the extent the charitable deductions exceed 0.5% of adjusted gross income. Furthermore, taxpayers in the top bracket can only claim a 35 percent tax deduction for charitable gifts instead of the full 37 percent that would otherwise apply to their income tax rate. Note also that the final bill permanently extended the 60% of adjusted gross income contribution limitation for cash gifts made to certain qualifying charities.

What does this mean for charitable giving?

With even fewer taxpayers eligible to itemize, and deductions capped for high-income earners, we’re likely to see a continuation of the chilling effect on charitable giving that occurred in the wake of the TCJA.

What can you do?

If you regularly support charities, it’s important to continue to do so whether or not you’re benefiting from a tax deduction. Our community needs you, now more than ever. If you’re a nonprofit, or if you’re an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor who works with charitable clients, remember that people do not give to charity solely to secure a tax deduction. Keep in mind that many other factors motivate charitable giving, and philanthropy is an important priority for many families. (This article in the Stanford Social Innovation Review has stood the test of time.)

Insight #2: Deduction for non-itemizers

What’s in the OBBA?

The new law includes a provision, effective after 2025, allowing non-itemizers to take a charitable deduction of $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for taxpayers who are married and filing jointly. As has been the case in the past, gifts to donor-advised funds are not eligible. Unlike a previous (but smaller) similar provision, though, this law is not set to sunset.

What does this mean for charitable giving?

After the TCJA went into effect, households that itemize deductions dropped to under 10%. Parallel to this trend, the number of U.S. adults who give to charity in any given year has dropped over the last 20 years from nearly two-thirds to less than half, according to some studies. Against this backdrop, the OBBBA’s deduction for non-itemizers has the potential to re-motivate charitable giving among a significant number of households.

What can you do?

For everyone, now is the time to take a serious look at your charitable giving plans to support the causes you care about over the years ahead, especially if you are early in your career and not yet itemizing deductions. If you’ve already established a fund or you’re working with the Community Foundation in another way, please reach out to learn how we can help you make the most of the new tax laws, and even get your children and grandchildren involved. If you’re a nonprofit, now is the time to attract and engage brand new donors. And if you’re an attorney, CPA, or financial advisor, make sure you talk about charitable giving with your clients who don’t itemize; a $1000 or $2000 deduction could be just the motivation they need to begin a journey of philanthropy.

Insight#3: No sunsetting estate tax exemption

What’s in the OBBA?

For affluent taxpayers updating financial and estate plans, and for the attorneys, CPAs, and wealth managers advising them, the last couple of years have been a roller coaster because of the looming possibility that the TCJA’s increase to the estate tax exemption would sunset at the end of 2025. Finally, there is clarity: Under the OBBBA, the sunset will not happen. The new law makes permanent the increase in the unified credit and generation-skipping transfer tax exemption threshold. The 2025 exemption is $13.99 million for single filers and $27.98 million married filing jointly. In 2026, these numbers increase to $15 million and $30 million respectively.

What does this mean for charitable giving?

Purely estate tax-based incentives to give to charity continue to apply only to the ultra-wealthy, likely resulting in a continuation of the taxpayer behavior triggered by the TCJA. In other words, most people will give to charity during their lifetimes and in their estates for reasons other than a tax deduction.

What can you do?

There is no guarantee that the estate tax exemption will stay high forever. As families work with their tax and estate planning advisors, many are viewing the next two years as an important window to plan ahead. The upshot of the new law is that high net-worth taxpayers now have more time to thoughtfully consider estate planning strategies, including charitable giving. For nonprofit organizations, this means continuing to focus on long-term planned giving strategies is wise.

By Jody Dilday, Philanthropic Advisor

Wouldn’t it be helpful to read your clients’ minds? Especially when it comes to understanding their values, goals, and charitable intent.

Good news: You don’t have to guess. Research provides helpful insights into what motivates charitable clients, and how you can meet them where they are.

Consider this: In 2024 alone, Americans gave an estimated $592.5 billion to U.S. charities, according to Giving USA. That’s a powerful indicator that philanthropy is alive and well. In fact, more than 85% of affluent households give to charity each year.

So what’s driving this generosity? Here are a few key mindsets your clients may already have:

“We want to make the world better, starting here at home.”
People are more likely to give to local causes. A study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that donors are significantly more inclined to support local charities over national or international ones. At the Community Foundation, we see this every day as donors work with us to make a difference in the places they call home. We’re here to help your clients support local causes in thoughtful and effective ways.

“Giving makes us feel good.”
Charitable giving isn’t just good for the world, it’s good for your clients, too. Studies show that philanthropy has both emotional and physical benefits. That’s in stark contrast to the often stressful experience of estate planning, which can bring up concerns about mortality, family conflict, or financial uncertainty. By weaving charitable giving into the process, you help create a more positive, purpose-driven experience.

“We want to know our giving really matters.”
Your clients want more than a tax deduction, they want to make a difference. Today’s philanthropists are eager to address complex issues and support long-term solutions. Many are rethinking their role, looking beyond immediate gifts to long-term strategies that sustain change over time. That might include establishing an endowment, setting up a donor advised fund, or even engaging in advocacy.

At the Community Foundation, we stay closely connected with a broad network of nonprofits across the state. We know where the needs are, and how your clients can align their giving to achieve meaningful impact.

Let’s talk. We’re here to support you and your clients in making charitable giving more strategic, joyful, and rewarding.

By Lesley Roberts, Philanthropic Advisor

As an estate planning, tax, or wealth advisor, you play a key role in helping your clients make the most of their charitable giving, maximizing both impact and tax benefits. But according to a 2023 survey, just 19.2% of advisors bring up charitable giving regularly with clients, and 44.2% do so only occasionally.

That’s where the Community Foundation can help.

We’re here to serve as your charitable sounding board. When a client expresses interest in giving, or when you’re exploring strategies together, just loop us in. We’ll help you navigate the options, crunch the numbers, and tailor a plan that fits your client’s goals.

Of course, you still have to start the conversation. One easy way is by talking about the benefits of giving appreciated assets, like stock or real estate, to a fund at the Community Foundation. To illustrate, consider this hypothetical example:

Meet Jane.
She earns more than $500,000 a year and wants to donate $10,000 to the Community Foundation’s local Giving Tree Endowment. Jane holds Apple stock purchased more than 20 years ago, now worth far more than she paid for it. She also has plenty of cash on hand. Jane is weighing two options:

Write a check for $10,000
Transfer $10,000 worth of Apple stock

As her advisor, you already know the smarter tax move is to donate the stock, but here’s how you might explain it with real numbers:

Jane’s income places her in the 37% federal marginal tax bracket and a 23.8% long-term capital gains tax rate (20% + 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax).
She itemizes deductions and has a cost basis of $2,000 in the Apple shares she’s considering donating.

Option 1: Give Cash

Charitable deduction: $10,000
Federal tax savings: $3,700
Net cost of gift: $6,300

Option 2: Give Stock

Avoids $8,000 in capital gains
Capital gains tax avoided: $1,904
Federal tax savings: $3,700
Net cost of gift: $4,396

The takeaway?
Either way, Jane gives $10,000 to charity. But writing a check costs her $6,300. Donating stock? Just $4,396. That’s nearly $2,000 in additional tax benefit, and a clear win for both Jane and the causes she cares about.

Donating appreciated assets is just one of many charitable strategies your clients can use. These conversations often lead to deeper planning around lifetime giving, legacy goals, engaging the next generation, and more.

Let us know how we can help. We’re always happy to share strategies and examples to help your clients give wisely, and with greater impact.

by Ashley Coldiron, Chief Development Officer

There’s been a lot of buzz around H.R. 1 (the “Big Beautiful Bill”) which passed the U.S. House on May 22 by a narrow vote. As it heads to the Senate, changes are expected—so nothing is final yet. Still, it’s smart to be aware of provisions that could affect charitable giving.

Here’s what we’re watching—and how it might matter to you:

Estate Tax Exemptions. The current individual exemption of 13.99M ($27.98M for couples) is set to sunset at the end of 2025. Under the proposed legislation, these higher exemptions would become permanent. Either way, charitable gifts can be an effective tool for managing estate taxes and leaving a legacy aligned with your values.
Standard Deduction. The bill proposes extending the higher standard deduction levels through 2028, with a modest “above-the-line” eduction for charitable gifts: $150 for individuals or $300 for joint filers. While most people give for reasons beyond tax savings, we’re here to help you structure giving that works for your financial and philanthropic goals.
Private Foundation Excise Taxes. Proposed changes would increase taxes on large private foundation investment income, but foundations under $50 million in assets would not be affected. Donor advised funds at the Community Foundation offer a flexible alternative—with less regulation and lower cost.

So what’s next? The Senate is expected to begin reviewing the bill in June, with potential action stretching into late summer. We’re watching closely and will keep you updated.

In the meantime, if you’re updating your estate plan or exploring new ways to give, reach out. We’d be honored to partner with you and your advisors to help you make a meaningful, lasting difference.

by Lesley Robers, Philanthropic Advisor

As charitable giving becomes a bigger part of life for individuals, families, and businesses, it can be overwhelming to navigate your options and decide where to start.

The good news? Giving doesn’t have to be complicated.

When you work with the Community Foundation, you get:

Personalized service from real people who care
A simple process to establish your fund (in as little as an hour!)
Expert support that helps you maximize impact and joy

Here’s what donors often say after getting started:

“We had no idea it would be so easy. We wish we had done this years ago.”
“It’s refreshing to talk to people in Arkansas, instead of someone in a call center”
“We feel connected to something bigger—part of a local family of giving.”

And it’s not just about service—it’s about simplicity and flexibility. We take care of the administrative details, from tax receipts to grant processing. For example, when you contribute appreciated stock to a donor advised fund, you receive one receipt, even if you support 10 different charities. We also handle IRS documentation and acknowledgments, so your records stay organized.

Even better, we accept a wide variety of assets—cash, stock, real estate, business interests, retirement accounts, and more—helping you give in the most tax-efficient way.

Whether you’re considering a new gift, planning your legacy, or just want to talk through your options, we’re here for you every step of the way.

by Jody Dilday, Philanthropic Advisor

The word “philanthropist” can sound lofty—reserved for billionaires like Bill Gates or MacKenzie Scott. But the truth is, anyone who makes an effort to improve the lives of others is a philanthropist, and that includes YOU.

At the Community Foundation, we believe everyone can be a philanthropist. It’s at the heart of our mission to improve quality of life in Arkansas.

Here are just a few ways people begin their philanthropic journey:

Volunteering—packing backpacks for kids, sorting donations, or serving meals
Attending community events
Participating in a food drive, or supporting a school fundraiser
Serving on a nonprofit board or committee
Giving online to support urgent needs or disaster relief
Rounding up at checkout or supporting a giving circle

As people continue their journey, many choose to formalize their giving with a donor advised fund or another type of charitable fund. This helps simplify donations to multiple organizations, consolidate tax receipts, and align giving with long-term goals.

If you’re looking for inspiration, take a look at the recently released TIME100 Philanthropy 2025 list. It celebrates not just high-dollar donors, but also community leaders, advocates, and changemakers who are using their resources and voices to make a difference—whether through books (Dolly Parton), food (José Andrés), or advocacy (Billie Jean King).

Philanthropy today is more accessible than ever—with tools like collective giving, strategic partnerships, and donor advised funds. If you’re thinking about your next step, we’re here to help.

Little Rock, Ark. (June 5, 2025) – Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation (ABHOF) awarded $55,000 in grants to 20 nonprofits with programs benefiting under-served communities in an online grant presentation May 29. These grants support projects focused on education, health and wellness, youth development, strengthening families and economic development in Arkansas.

“We are proud to continue our support of exceptional nonprofit organizations in Arkansas through this grant program,” said Charles Stewart, chairman of the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation. “Now more than ever, their work is essential to building stronger, more resilient communities. These organizations embody what we are working to accomplish at the ABHOF, and we are honored to stand alongside them in advancing opportunity throughout our state.”

This year’s grant recipients:

AR Repertory Theater
Arkansas Women’s Outreach
City Connections Inc
CityYouth Ministries
Compassionately Connected for Veterans
Conway Cradle Care
Depaul USA
The Diaper Storehouse
Family Development Center
Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen
Girls on the Run of Central Arkansas
HGA – Humanitarian Global Alliance
Life Skills for Youth
Little Rock Diamond Foundation
Our House
Positive Outreach with Effective Results
Prevention Education Programs Inc.
Prison Yoga Project
Village Public Health Training Center
We Are Washington

Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation aims to provide an environment in which future generations of African American achievers with Arkansas roots will thrive and succeed. Arkansas Black Hall of Fame honors the contributions of African Americans through its annual Black Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and awards grants to support charitable endeavors in underserved communities. Learn more at www.arblackhalloffame.org.

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Arkansas Community Foundation, a statewide nonprofit organization, provides resources, insight and inspiration to build stronger Arkansas communities – communities where our kids will want to raise their kids. The Community Foundation is the largest grantmaker in the state in the number of grants made each year. Since 1976, the Foundation has awarded more than half a billion in grants to nonprofits. Serving local communities through a 29-affiliate network along with statewide initiatives, the Foundation staff works directly with donors, professional advisors and nonprofits to help strengthen Arkansas communities through strategic philanthropy and focusing on local needs. Its assets rank among the top 60 of community foundations in the United States with more than $800 million in charitable assets under management.

Written by Missy Moore and Rainey Gibson Leathers – Friends of the Animal Village Board of Directors/Volunteers

Friends of the Animal Village (FAV) is a nonprofit organization that was created to supplement the needs of the Little Rock Animal Village (LRAV), the city shelter and home of Little Rock Animal Services. The LRAV staff provides excellent day-to-day care for all animals in their charge, as well as for the facility itself. Given that there are 200+ animals in their care at any given time, the nonprofit is stretched thin and unable to tend to all the animals in their care for daily socialization and training. That’s where our volunteers come in.

New volunteers are trained monthly by LRAV staff and FAV board members and provide crucial assistance in socializing and walking dogs, socializing cats, fostering kittens, taking and posting photographs to social media to boost visibility and adoption chances, handling cats and dogs at fundraising and adoption events, and transporting cats and dogs to other shelters and rescues around the country.

The shelter is constantly over capacity, and volunteers are needed more than ever. The demand puts a strain on resources, morale, and an already exhausted staff. Due to the nature of a municipal shelter, LRAV is required to accept every stray found within city limits. When the intake numbers are larger than the adoption numbers, as is often the case, the shelter runs out of space and heart-wrenching decisions must be made. No one wants to see amazing dogs not make it out of the shelter due to lack of space, but it is a devastating reality we face every week. It is often heartbreaking.

What are other ways to lessen the demand on local shelters? LRAV would benefit greatly from post-adoption follow up resources, microchip readers stationed in central locations around the city to help reunite chipped pets with their owners, additional staff, restoration of the mobile adoption unit, a larger facility with more kennels and increased pay for shelter staff. Training opportunities are also needed for staff members to become specialized in different domains, including consistent and thorough behavioral assessments to make sure animals are safe to adopt out. Many dogs do not leave the shelter due to perceived aggression, which is difficult to accurately assess in a crowded, stressful environment.

If you are anticipating significant life changes (moving, having a baby, etc.) or you do not feel you have adequate financial resources to provide food, shelter, and heartworm, flea, and tick preventatives for your pet, please consider volunteering rather than adopting. Pets are a significant commitment, and we see so many “owner surrenders,” sometimes immediately after adopting. The stress of these rapid changes can make even the most gentle dogs deeply anxious and unhappy, which leads to unpredictable behavior and negative outcomes.

We also hope for updated legislation for spay and neuter laws and harsher penalties for backyard breeders, dogfighting, hoarders, and situations involving abuse and neglect. With pit bull breeds remaining a hot-button issue that rears its head from time to time, it is crucial we find ways to protect both adopters and adoptees without unfairly vilifying large groups of dogs.

So how can you help? Most Arkansas communities have an animal shelter that can use more support. Reach out and ask what they need. Most, including LRAV, have an Amazon and Chewy wish list to browse, and are always in need of supplies and monetary donations. If you’re local to Little Rock, please consider joining us for volunteer orientation held the second Saturday of every month at 4500 Kramer St.

Without community support, our efforts rapidly dwindle in the face of overcrowding, and without volunteers, the work is endlessly uphill. If you cannot make it to the shelter, citizens can ensure that their own pets are sterilized, “adopt don’t shop” or contact your nearest animal rescue and just ask, “How can I help?” There are always creative ways to support animal shelters.

For Ellon Cockrill of Little Rock, a lifetime of volunteerism has been more than a way to give back, it has been a masterclass in leadership, resilience and building community.

“Everything I learned through volunteering prepared me for where I am now,” Cockrill says. Today, she manages multiple farms in the Arkansas Delta, leading them toward profitability after years of struggle. She credits her volunteer experience with honing critical leadership skills: financial stewardship, strategic planning, communication, and the ability to build and lead strong teams. “I never thought I would be running a farm, but here I am.”

Cockrill’s decades of service span a wide range of organizations, many in central Arkansas, from the Centers for Youth and Families, the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance to Home for Healing. Her commitment has not only helped raise millions of dollars, like the $32 million she helped secure for UAMS’s Psychiatric Research Institute, far exceeding the original $3 million goal, but has also built a network of changemakers, many of whom have gone on to lead major nonprofits themselves.

Cockrill’s philosophy is simple: give 100% and surround yourself with people smarter than you. She believes that teamwork and the willingness to embrace change are key to meaningful progress. She says “Every time I’m asked to volunteer, I want to know: ‘Are you willing to do something different than you’ve always one?’ If the answer is yes, I’m usually in. There
is so much power in teamwork. Any success I’ve had as a volunteer or philanthropist is because of good teams around me.”

One of Cockrill’s favorite parts of volunteerism is witnessing the unexpected potential in people. “When it comes to volunteering, those you think can’t help often surprise you. I love when that happens.”

Her passion is especially evident in her work with vulnerable populations, like the homeless, the hungry and the addicted. “Those who are often forgotten or ignored are the ones I want to help most,” she admits.

Her commitment to help goes beyond volunteering, it also extends to her philanthropy. Through Arkansas Community Foundation, Cockrill pools her donations with others to maximize their impact. “I could never make my philanthropic dollars stretch so far on my own,” she says.

For Ellon Cockrill, volunteerism is not just a way to contribute, it’s a way to grow, to lead, and to transform lives, including her own.

A Circle of Welcome volunteer group stands in front of Christopher’s House in
Springdale. They provide comfort, resources and ongoing support to refugees.

Something extraordinary is happening in the heart of Northwest Arkansas— neighbors are welcoming the world. Since its beginning in 2015, Canopy Northwest Arkansas has grown from a grassroots charity into a vital refugee resettlement agency, helping 952 individuals rebuild their lives in a new land. The magic behind Canopy’s impact lies in its volunteer program, everyday people choosing to help.

Canopy was born from a belief that Northwest Arkansas could be a beacon of hope for families outside the U.S. fleeing conflict. Today, the organization provides support through case management, employment assistance, youth services, mentoring for newcomers, and various other forms of help. Yet it’s the human connections formed through their volunteer program that makes the biggest difference.

Central to Canopy’s mission is the Circle of Welcome program, a six-month commitment where a team of volunteers forms a support system for a newly arrived refugee family.

Kimberly Elder
Canopy NWA Circle of Welcome Director

As Kimberly Elder, the program’s coordinator, describes, “They’re like the family’s first friends.” These volunteers offer far more than logistical help; they provide emotional and social encouragement during one of the most overwhelming transitions a person can face. Elder gets emotional talking about when the families arrive from their country of origin. “When a family arrives at the airport, they’re greeted with flowers, handmade signs, and open arms. But before they even set foot in Arkansas, the Circle of Welcome has been at work,” she says. “They secure donated furniture, decorate the homes with personal touches, stock the pantry with culturally appropriate groceries and prepare a warm meal.”

But the support doesn’t stop there. Volunteers help families navigate life in the U.S., from job interviews and school enrollments to soccer practices and dinner gatherings, they become part of the family’s new community, often forming lasting bonds. “One team enrolled a young boy in a local soccer league,” Elder shares. “They take him to every practice because his mother has to work in the evenings, and they all show up for his games.”

Canopy’s volunteers step in to fill some of the gaps that come with relocation, like translation, transportation and emergency childcare. The work isn’t always easy, but volunteers gain a new perspective, build lasting friendships, and witness firsthand the resilience of the human spirit. In turn, refugee families find safety, stability and a sense of belonging.

“Sandra“ legally arrived recently after fleeing unimaginable violence in Central America. Due to extreme corruption and violence, she was forced to seek safety outside the country. She made her way to Northwest Arkansas with her teenage daughter and an adult son with developmental delays. Her husband, grown daughter and grandchildren are still in Central America.

Sandra is still processing the traumas that she experienced and reeling from so much change. “Her children are deeply affected,” says Elder. “They are sensitive to loud voices and aggressive body language. Volunteers and staff are sensitive to these dynamics.” When she first arrived, Sandra was placed in an apartment. But it quickly became clear that as a single mother supporting a teenager and 26-year-old son with developmental needs, she would struggle to make ends meet on her own.

That’s when a door opened, literally and figuratively.

Christopher’s House, a modestly restored transition home made possible by the First United Methodist Church of Springdale, became available after another family moved out. The Circle of Welcome volunteers decorated the house with care and warmth, turning it into a sanctuary for Sandra and her kids. When she walked in and saw the space for the first time, she turned to her case manager and asked, stunned, “This is for us?”

After settling into Christopher’s House, Sandra and her children began to heal. Volunteers and case managers describe her as becoming part of the fabric of their new community little by little, building trust, confidence and hope. Her story is a reminder of the stakes involved in refugee resettlement. These are not statistics — they are mothers, daughters, and sons seeking refuge, safety and dignity.

“While families like Sandra’s give me hope,” remembers Elder, “the road to resettlement is growing increasingly difficult because of shifting policies and funding structures that underpin the work Canopy does every day.”

Canopy is facing one of its most severe challenges to date as 68% of their revenue comes from federal sources. The organization has had federal contracts terminated, leading to concerns about future program delivery. The most recent scare came in January, when a stop-work order for the Reception and Placement (R&P) Program was issued, stopping essential services to refugees within their first 90 days in the United States. This decision left 25 newly arrived families, about 65 individuals, without the support they had been promised, during the most critical window of their resettlement journey.

Thanks to years of careful stewardship, committed volunteers and diversified funding, Canopy was able to pull from emergency reserves, funds that would have otherwise supported staff salaries and operations.

Amid the uncertainty, Canopy’s team and the community surrounding it have shown unwavering resolve. “The outpouring of support from the local community has been incredible,” says Elder. “Many of these volunteers continue to volunteer long after their official commitments end. Their love doesn’t come with an expiration date.”

To learn more or help Canopy’s mission, visit www.canopynwa.org.