October 23, 2025
by Jessica Hughes Ford At Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, the future doesn’t feel distant. It hums in the hallways and feels very much present in the here-and-now. Students run gel electrophoresis in the lab, complete CPR and financial management training, and sit for mock interviews with local professionals. It is all part of […]
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October 8, 2025
What inspired Hytrol and the other manufacturing partners to establish the Workforce Training Consortium Endowment?This endowment began with my grandfather’s belief that workforce development was the key to long-term community success. He understood that Hytrol’s investment in the workforce solely for the benefit of our company wouldn’t create the larger impact our region needed. By […]
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October 8, 2025
by Jessica Hughes Ford At the Johnson County Library in Clarksville, books are just the beginning. Today, the library has become a lifeline for residents seeking the skills and confidence to enter or reenter the workforce. For library manager Jimmy Ritchie, the mission is rooted in home. He grew up visiting this library with his […]
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October 8, 2025
by Andrew Parker, Executive Director at Be Pro Be Proud Arkansas Be Pro Be Proud Arkansas is a statewide workforce initiative designed to change perceptions of technical professions and connect students with high-demand, high-wage career opportunities. Founded in 2016 by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Industries of Arkansas, the program addresses […]
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September 29, 2025
Provision 88 is a food pantry serving the Jonesboro area. It’s also a place of hope, dignity, and choice for those in need. What began inside the Refuge Church of the Assemblies of God quickly outgrew its original space, where volunteers had to set up and break down the pantry each time it operated. Recognizing […]
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September 5, 2025
What began as a small community garden in Columbia County has grown into something much bigger, a thriving food production garden with a mission to feed both body and spirit. At Southern Arkansas University (SAU), this garden now supplies fresh produce to the Mulerider Market, a free ”store” where students can access healthy food with […]
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August 1, 2025
by Jody Dilday, Philanthropic Advisor Succession planning isn’t just for businesses—it’s key to building a lasting philanthropic legacy. Our team at the Community Foundation can help structure provisions for your donor advised fund to engage your family, tap the Foundation’s expertise, or a combination of both, so that your charitable fund becomes a multi-generational legacy […]
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August 1, 2025
by Lesley Roberts, Philanthropic Advisor As students return to class, our thoughts turn to how Arkansas is faring in this critical indicator. If education and related causes are important to you, the community foundation can help you explore a variety of ways to make an impact. Here are three ideas to inspire a deeper discussion: […]
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August 1, 2025
by Ashley Coldiron, Chief Development Officer The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, brings significant updates to charitable giving rules. We’re here to help you and your advisors make the most of them. Key planning points: 2025 may be the year to “bunch” your giving. With the standard deduction […]
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July 7, 2025
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. […]
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