Tornadoes passed through Central Arkansas and Cross County on March 31, 2023 causing mass devastation and injuries. Pulaski and Cross counties have both been declared disaster areas by state and federal governments. Many are asking how they can help.

Below are links to several local nonprofits that will help the people in need most in the aftermath.

If you’re aware of nonprofit organizations such as churches, schools or other municipalities working to help, please contact Jessica Ford at jford@arcf.org or call 501-372-1116 to have them added to the list.

For donations to most state and federal agencies, you can designate your fund to the community/area you prefer.

Arkansas Community Foundation does not do direct programming or immediate relief work. Rather, we focus on long-term and intermediate recovery.

Lawrence Fikes has been the executive director of the Pine Bluff Area Affiliate since 2015. “For the first time, fiscal year 2022 saw our affiliate grant over $100,000 to local nonprofits and in scholarships — and we’re on track to do the same in fiscal year 2023,” Lawrence said.

The Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation is one of the longest serving affiliates of Arkansas Community Foundation. And one of the most active. The affiliate’s 15-person board recently completed a rigorous strategic planning process and has begun putting their strategy into action.

“We want to broaden the awareness of the Foundation — not just for donors, but community leaders,” said Glenn Freeman, affiliate board member and longtime supporter of the Community Foundation. “If there is a group or person trying to do good work here, we want to know about it, and we want them to come to us so we can collaborate.”

Pine Bluff is not wealthy,” he said. “But there is tremendous opportunity and a chance for us to make an impact.”

Rebecca Pittillo leads the affiliate board as chair. “One of the most important things we can do is listen,” she said. “Community leaders must listen to the problems before they can offer solutions.”

Both longtime supporters of the Community Foundation, Rebecca Pittillo and Glenn Freeman are standing in the new ART SPACE in downtown Pine Bluff.

The Pine Bluff Area affiliate is active in making grants through the lens of their strategic plan. Lawrence Fikes leads the affiliate as executive director. “For the first time, fiscal year 2022 saw the Pine Bluff affiliate grant over $100,000 to local nonprofits and in scholarships — and we’re on track to do the same in fiscal year 23,” he said. “Our board focuses on community development, family, education, health and food insecurity with our grantmaking.”

“We work hard to make it easier for nonprofits, especially through the Giving Tree grants.” Pittillo said. “We make the application process simple, and the turnaround time quick. That ease and speed yield higher impact.

“Our board is dedicated to the work we have before us,” said Pittillo. “I believe the future is bright for this organization and the Pine Bluff community.”

Financial advisor Robert Zunick of Hot Springs works directly with Arkansas Community Foundation to serve his clients’ charitable giving goals.

“The Community Foundation is just the best vehicle for my client’s charitable giving — especially for long-term impact. Establishing an endowment is the most efficient way to give in perpetuity,” Robert said.

“Early in my career as an investment broker, I had a client who was a good candidate for a permanent endowment fund,” he said. “A colleague suggested the Community Foundation and I’ve been working with them since.”

A founding member of the Hot Springs Area affiliate board, Zunick has more than three decades of experience providing financial advice to his clients, and almost that much time supporting local causes as a philanthropist in his own right.

“When the Hot Springs Area affiliate was formed in 1991, there was one endowment. Today, there are 117 funds, and several scholarships,” Robert explained. “I’ve enjoyed watching that growth and being part of helping nonprofits in this area.”

Robert Zunick, part owner of the Waters Hotel, stands atop the historic building overlooking downtown Hot Springs.

The Foundation accepts a variety of gifts so that clients can give back while Robert stays in control of the client relationship. Through the “Separately Managed” program, he can invest his client’s charitable dollars and retain the investment portfolio while they give through a fund with the Foundation.

“Whether my clients are looking to lighten their tax burden, shift financial resources during retirement, or create a legacy of giving, the Foundation makes it simple,” Robert said.

Arkansas Community Foundation recognizes professional advisors who refer clients for charitable giving in the “Golden Key Society.” Robert has been part of the Society for years. He “walks the talk” by not only referring clients, but also by holding his own fund at the Foundation. He and his wife Mary are members of a Hot Springs Giving Circle and support a variety of causes.

“Mary and I give each year to several Hot Springs nonprofits, but one of our greatest passions is the arts,” Zunick explained. “Sometimes the arts get put on the back burner. I believe we owe a debt to artists of the past, and the best way to keep the arts alive is to support artists of now.”

Robert encourages other financial advisors to listen and learn about the benefits of working with the Community Foundation. “The Foundation staff are so knowledgeable about local causes and ways to give,” Robert said. “They help my clients realize tax benefits, but also give them a vehicle for their charitable intent.”

Deborah Knox has a long history of community leadership and service to Mountain Home. As a founding member of the Twin Lakes Area affiliate twenty years ago, she has supported dozens of local causes by being a do-er, donor and door-opener.

“Growing up, I always had a sense that I wanted to make the world a better place,” Knox said. “Being on the board for the local affiliate has shown me the breadth of need here locally. Most people don’t know how deep the needs of people run in the Twin Lakes area—for example, the percentage of people suffering from food insecurity in Baxter County is almost 16%.

“But one benefit of living in a small community — you can see impact easier.”

The number of causes she’s worked with in 39 years as a resident of Mountain Home is vast. A former practicing attorney, she helped start the Baxter County Library Foundation and served as a justice of the peace. She currently sits on several boards including the Arkansas State Library Board, is a Rotarian, active in her church and now serves as a member of the newly formed homelessness taskforce.

Deborah and Tom Knox prepare to hit the open road.

“There are so many great organizations in this area working hard to make a difference,” she said. “Tom [her husband] and I have an endowment in memory of his three brothers that supports hospice. We have a Charitable Remainder Trust to be administered by Arkansas Community Foundation which will benefit our church and the Baxter County Library Foundation.”

Helping improve early childhood literacy is one of her passions — seen in her work to support the library in Baxter County.

“I helped start the Baxter County Library Foundation. We sought a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation for the purpose of building a new library facility. We received $10 million from Reynolds, but we also had to raise $2 million locally. I chaired the campaign to help raise those funds,” Knox recalled. “I had never raised money before like that. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me, but we got it.”

When asked what “community leadership” means, she said, “When you see a need, you can’t unsee it. You have to put your efforts into meeting that need. It can be alone, or with others, but you must find a way to help. The Community Foundation makes this easy. It is a great vehicle to connect those that want to help, with those who need it.

“Tom and I have two grandkids, Wally and Graeme,” she said. “I want to show them that it’s as fulfilling to give as it is to receive.”

Philanthropy Club is a group of individuals who gather each month to learn about the needs in the community and how various local nonprofits are uniquely equipped to address those needs. Unlike a “giving circle” which pools financial resources and makes contributions together, members of Philanthropy Club individually decide if and how they might support the organizations they visit.

Danyelle Musselman poses near the student section in Bud Walton Arena.

Since Danyelle Musselman moved to Arkansas, she’s found herself in a new position. Not only as the first lady of Arkansas Razorback basketball but now in a position to give.

“I had a new problem all of a sudden, in that for the first time I really needed to get my charitable giving organized,” the head coach’s wife said. “I was introduced to the Foundation by attending Philanthropy Club where I met (Community Foundation VP) Jody (Dilday) and she broke it all down for me.”

Soon after, she and her husband Eric started the Muss Bus Charitable Fund through Arkansas Community Foundation. “The Foundation is my easy button! Nothing is too big or small. Through the Philanthropy Club, I have been exposed to so many good causes in this area,” Musselman said. “It is easy to stay caught up in one’s own bubble, but the Club has shown me new people, challenges and solutions that are happening here. For example, the work being done with the Marshallese community, the Samaritan Community Center and the Cancer Support Home — to name a few. We’ve seen dozens of organizations doing good work.”

When asked “What hits home?’’ She is quick to answer. “Organizations that support cancer patients and their families. My mother is a breast cancer survivor and both of her parents died of cancer when she was young. Many offshoots of the American Cancer Society are doing amazing work. One organization provides wigs for patients that have brown and black skin which are hard to find, so I loved supporting that.”

Musselman is spreading her philanthropic influence in other states, as well. “An unintended outcome of the Muss Bus Charitable Fund is that other coaches’ wives across the nation have seen what we’ve done and are starting to do it, too. We’ve connected these coaches’ families to their own local community foundation,” she said. “My instructions to Eric: win games! That keeps people drawn to what I’m doing and keeps the energy going. We also involve his players in local service projects.

“I hope we can continue to grow our giving here and keep learning about more causes,” Musselman remarked. “I’m not a native Arkansan, but it is amazing to see how people here rally around one another to help.”

The future of the Muss Bus Charitable Fund is bright — not only for Danyelle and her philanthropic interests, but the next generation of Musselmans, too. “My daughter, Mariah, is 12. She often goes with me to events and can see the needs that local nonprofits are working to fix,” Musselman said. “Hopefully by exposing her to these causes and modeling how one can give back, she will be inspired to do the same.”

The recent one-year anniversary of the start of the Ukraine conflict and the earthquake that has devastated Turkey and Syria are causing many to explore ways they can help. In an era of abundant giving methods and unfortunately potential fraud, the Community Foundation is a source of reliability and expediency to help your clients act on their charitable instincts.

While there are many viable options for your clients to activate their generosity toward relief efforts, there are also caveats. Although global disaster giving is important, it is also important for clients to stay tuned to the most critical needs right here in our community. Community needs may not result from a disaster, but the impact of ongoing crises including lack of health care and poverty can be damaging over the long term.   

How the Community Foundation can help

The Community Foundation can help your clients fulfill their giving instincts by acting as a secure, knowledgeable, and trustworthy facilitator. Our team personally knows, and regularly vets, hundreds of charities each year. We can help you and your clients navigate the options for both local and international giving.  

Frequently, a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation will be a suitable giving vehicle for your clients. Our team can help connect your clients to the causes they care about by identifying the most effective organizations addressing the critical needs both locally and globally in your clients’ areas of interest. Working with the Community Foundation also helps your clients secure robust tax planning benefits that can be missed when a client gives to charity on impulse.  

Finally, the Community Foundation can help your clients steer clear of scams perpetuated by familiar-looking but sham websites and QR codes, both of which proliferate during highly emotional or threatening times surrounding a disaster. While your clients may be tempted to make a gift online or by phone out of compassion in response to a verbal solicitation or a news story, remind them that the Community Foundation has much to offer—safely, securely and advantageously—when it’s time to make impactful humanitarian gifts both here and abroad. 

Most attorneys, accountants and financial advisors are well-aware of donor advised funds and the reasons behind their popularity. Especially when established at the Community Foundation, a donor advised fund is an excellent way for your clients to organize their charitable giving and get even more connected to the causes they care about.  

Enter the Qualified Charitable Distribution 

Your clients can give nearly any type of asset to a donor advised fund at the Community Foundation. A notable exception, though, is the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD.) A QCD allows a taxpayer 70 ½ or older to make a direct transfer of up to $100,000 annually from an IRA to a qualifying charity. A donor advised fund is not considered to be a qualifying charity.   Although donor advised funds cannot accept QCDs, the Community Foundation offers other types of funds that can accept QCDs. For example, designated funds and field-of-interest funds held at the Community Foundation are ideal recipients of QCD transfers. These fund types are often overlooked, despite the high value they can deliver to your client and to the community.  

What is a field-of-interest fund?

The Council on Foundations defines a “field of interest fund” as “A fund held by a community foundation that is used for a specific charitable purpose such as education or health research.” Perhaps your client is passionate about rare-disease solutions, food insecurity or access to art. Your client decides on a name for the fund (can be the family name, cause-related or even nondescript) and then the knowledgeable team at the Community Foundation distributes grants from the field-of-interest fund in a way that is aligned with your client’s values and charitable wishes outlined in the fund agreement. 

What is a designated fund? 

Designated funds are defined as, “A type of restricted fund in which the fund beneficiaries are specified by the grantors.” These are a good choice for a client who knows they want to support a particular charity or charities for multiple years. The client names the fund and the Community Foundation fulfills the distributions. Made over time, these funds can help the charity or charities’ cash flow planning. Distributions are aligned with your client’s wishes set forth in the original fund document.  

QCD reminders

For the client aged 70 ½ through 72, a QCD removes funds from an IRA before the client reaches the age-73 threshold for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs.) This can lessen the eventual income tax hit that accompanies RMDs. And for RMD-applicable clients, the QCD counts toward their RMD. In both cases, the QCD transfers do not fall into the client’s taxable income. QCDs are even more popular now that the $100,000 cap will be indexed for inflation under the new laws. Also, under the new laws, a one-time, $50,000 distribution to a charitable remainder trust or charitable gift annuity is now permitted. 

Little Rock, Ark. (Feb. 6, 2023) – Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation, in partnership with Arkansas Community Foundation, is awarding grants to programs that benefit African American or underserved populations in Arkansas. Nonprofits with programs focusing on education, health and wellness, youth development, strengthening families and economic development are eligible to apply. Proposals will be accepted online now through April 1.

“We are especially grateful to our donors whose consistent support allows us to make grants to grassroots organizations throughout Arkansas. It is critically important that we continue to support organizations facing new challenges created by the pandemic,” said Charles Stewart, ABHOF Chair. “Typically, our grants range from $1,000 to $2,500, but may approach $5,000 in special circumstances. There are many nonprofits working tirelessly in communities throughout Arkansas to improve the quality of life for its citizens.”

Since 2004, ABHOF has granted more than $717,000 to nonprofits across the state. Projects funded through this grant program range from support for temporary emergency shelter for families temporarily displaced to support for the first Arkansas Racial Equity Summit at UCA.

“Our long-standing partnership with Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation empowers local people working to find solutions to the needs of their underserved communities,” said Heather Larkin, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We’re honored to work with Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation to provide a support system for Arkansas.”

Funds from Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation cannot be allocated for salary support or to support general operating budgets outside the specific proposal or project.

Priority consideration for grants:

  • Requests that show multiple sponsoring agencies/organizations.
  • Requests that include evidence of local financial support (including, but not limited to, in-kind support.)
  • Requests that demonstrate collaborative ventures among organizations within the community.
  • Requests that have promise for sustainability beyond the period of the grant.
  • Requests that show an innovative approach to community challenges.


All geographic sections of the state are eligible. Scholarship requests will not be considered. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, hospitals, public schools and government agencies are eligible to apply now through April 1 atwww.arcf.org/ABHOF. Organizations that do not qualify for tax-exempt status are not eligible.

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

Arkansas Community Foundation, a statewide nonprofit organization, provides resources, insight and inspiration to build better 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 provided more than $393 million to nonprofits. 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 out of more than 800 community foundations in the United States. Serving statewide and local initiatives, the Community Foundation helps connect those who want to give to causes they care about. Contributions to Arkansas Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.

Little Rock, Ark. (Feb. 1, 2023) – Scholarships are now available for eligible Arkansas students through Arkansas Community Foundation.

The Community Foundation’s scholarships are for Arkansas students pursuing education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. Some scholarships are designated for graduates of a particular high school or those who plan to attend a particular college. Others are based on extracurricular activities or intended college majors.

“Since 1976, the Community Foundation has partnered with individuals and organizations who want to support students in their pursuit of higher education,” said Heather Larkin, Community Foundation president and CEO. “These generous people provide the funding and determine the size and eligibility criteria of each scholarship, while we oversee the application and awarding process on their behalf.”

Scholarships with statewide eligibility include:

  • Abigail Robertson Scholarship, provides a scholarship for female students pursuing a business degree at a college or university in Pulaski County
  • Advancing Women in Transportation Scholarship, provides a scholarship to female students who plan to pursue a career in a transportation related field in Arkansas
  • Anne Pressly Scholarship, to memorialize the legacy of Anne Pressly and support a graduating high school senior woman who plans to pursue a career in Journalism
  • Arkansas Service Memorial Scholarship, for students who are children of Arkansans who lost their life in service in the state, nation or community
  • Barbara Mashburn Memorial Scholarship, provides a scholarship for a graduate of an Arkansas high school pursuing an education as a vocalist
  • East Student Scholarship, provides a scholarship to a graduating senior who attends any high school with an EAST program
  • Elizabeth G. Redman Republican Party of Arkansas Scholarship, for students who are members of or active in the Republican Party of Arkansas
  • Herchel and Melba A. Fildes Scholarship, provides a scholarship to students studying nursing and attending Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas or Arkansas State University in Beebe
  • Lillian McGillicuddy Republican Party of Arkansas Scholarship, for students who are members of the Arkansas Federation of Young Republicans or are active in the Republican Party of Arkansas
  • Marie and Bob Marshall Republican Party of Arkansas Scholarship, for students who are members of or active in the Republican Party of Arkansas
  • Merwin T. and Agnes Bowman Nursing Scholarship, for students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent degree from a qualified institution
  • Poultry Federation Scholarship, provides scholarships to students pursuing a degree related to the poultry industry and attending a school in the University of Arkansas system, Arkansas State University system, Arkansas Tech University or Southern Arkansas University
  • Robert P. Atkinson Hospital Leadership and Scholarship, provides a scholarship to students pursuing an advanced degree with an emphasis in healthcare and/or hospital administration
  • Ryan Mondy D.A.S.H. Memorial Scholarship, provides scholarships to graduating seniors whose lives have been affected by cancer

To apply, and for more information about these and other scholarships, visit  www.arcf.org/apply/scholarships/.

Deadlines for scholarship applications differ and can be found on the application portal.

Arkansas Community Foundation, a statewide nonprofit organization, provides resources, insight and inspiration to build better 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 provided more than $393 million to nonprofits. 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 out of more than 800 community foundations in the United States. Serving statewide and local initiatives, the Community Foundation helps connect those who want to give to causes they care about. Contributions to Arkansas Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.

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