Little Rock, Ark. (April 6, 2026) – Jacob Arnold of Fayetteville recently joined Arkansas Community Foundation as program director. In this role, he will support the Foundation’s 29 local affiliates across the state, strengthening local leadership, building capacity and advancing community impact.
“Jacob brings more than a decade of nonprofit leadership, philanthropy and community development experience to this role,” said Jessica Ford, president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation. “He has worked alongside organizations of all sizes across Arkansas, helping them build strong systems, secure funding and deepen community partnerships. His collaborative leadership style and passion for serving Arkansas communities make him a tremendous asset to our affiliate network.”
Arnold most recently served as chief operating officer of GRANTED, LLC, a grant strategy and advisory firm supporting governments and nonprofits across Arkansas. In that role, he traveled extensively throughout the state, partnering with local leaders to strengthen funding strategies, build organizational readiness and translate community needs into actionable plans.
Previously, Arnold served as executive director of Veterans Future Foundation in Bentonville, where he led strategic growth, fundraising and program development to support veterans transitioning to civilian life. He also has held leadership roles with Hope Cancer Resources and Northwest Arkansas Food Bank, overseeing fundraising, operations and organizational development initiatives that strengthened long-term sustainability and impact.
Arnold earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business and a Master of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. He currently serves as inaugural president of the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation’s Alumni Advisory Board and mentors students at the University of Arkansas.
A native Arkansan, Arnold was born in Little Rock and raised in Northwest Arkansas. He brings a deep personal commitment to the state and its communities to his work with the foundation’s affiliates.
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For 50 years, Arkansas Community Foundation has helped Arkansans turn local generosity into statewide impact. Since 1976 the Community Foundation has made more than $600 million in grants to support Arkansas communities and manages more than $1 billion in assets. As part of its 50th anniversary year, the Foundation is making transformational statewide grants and ushering in new leadership to guide its long-term vision for impact. Working through 29 local affiliates, the Foundation partners with donors, professional advisors, nonprofits and community leaders to engage people, connect resources and inspire solutions to build stronger Arkansas communities, forever.