Hatchlings Chicken Ranch is far more than chickens. Nestled on Prickly Pear Loop in Faulkner County, the nonprofit farm helps make sure that Arkansan’s most basic need is met, food. But you can’t buy any of the produce.

Anyone can visit the farm and get local, organic, fresh produce for free through their Farm 2 Table project – no questions asked. “We don’t even ask for donations,” says Patrick Colb, president of the operation.

But free food distribution is just part of the generosity of the Ranch: About half the land is dedicated to growing produce that is donated to local food pantries and shelters; There is a row in the garden for local schools that get farm-fresh produce to students through a local Farm-To-School partnership; And the Ranch also has a kitchen that serves hot meals of locally sourced meat and ingredients grown on the property.

Arkansas Community Foundation recently provided a grant to Hatchlings Chicken Ranch to build a new high-tunnel so they can continue supporting their community through the colder months, thus extending the growing season.  Established in 2019, Hatchlings has been a staple in their Faulkner County and continues to lend a hand to those facing challenging times. 

Over the last few years, especially as social consciousness has increased, many of your clients have no doubt become more interested in how they can make a difference in both their local community and the world at large. Whether those activities include providing financial support to favorite charities or volunteer service, purchasing products that support a particular cause or choosing investment vehicles that align with their personal values – clients are increasingly mindful of the impact of their actions and purchasing decisions.

As clients grow more in tune with social impact, they are expecting their advisors to be ready to help them structure and plan their charitable giving as well. What’s more, clients who receive charitable planning advice from their advisors tend to be more loyal and more willing to recommend their advisor to others, especially when that advisor is proactive in bringing up options for incorporating philanthropy into financial and estate plans. 

With that in mind, did you know that the Community Foundation now offers a separate investment pool for Donor Advised funds focused on making both a financial AND a social return?  Our team would be delighted to visit with you about our Arkansas Impact Investment pool and how your clients can put their grantmaking dollars to work and invest in opportunity for our state.  

Qualified Charitable Distributions, or “QCDs,” have been in the news a lot lately, especially in light of proposed SECURE Act 2.0 legislation that passed the House of Representatives in March and is now pending in the Senate.

Through a QCD, starting at age 70½, your client can instruct the administrator of an IRA to direct up to $100,000 per year to a qualified charity. This helps your client’s tax situation because the client does not need to report the amount of the QCD as taxable income.

Here are four important reminders about QCDs:

  • Even though the SECURE Act changed the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age to 72 from 70 ½, the QCD age is still 70 ½. 
  • QCDs cannot be made to donor-advised funds, but your client can set up a field-of-interest, designated, or foundation directed fund at the Community Foundation to receive a QCD.
  • Under a version of the proposed SECURE Act 2.0 legislation, QCDs would be indexed for inflation. In addition, proposed legislation would allow a client to make a one-time QCD of up to $50,000 to a charitable remainder trust or other split-interest entity.
  • Finally, be sure to help your clients coordinate their QCDs with their Required Minimum Distributions. Proper planning will help avoid troublesome tax pitfalls. 

Please reach out to the team at the community foundation to learn more about QCDs and how your client can establish a fund to support financial and tax goals as well as charitable giving goals.

LITTLE ROCK, ARK.  (March 5, 2022) Lesley Roberts of Little Rock, Ark., has been named regional development director for Arkansas Community Foundation.

“Lesley brings 20 years of development experience to our Foundation,” said Heather Larkin, Community Foundation president and CEO. “She has strong knowledge and expertise in development. Lesley has managed and directed grant writing, prospect research, donor stewardship, endowments and major gift programs for a diverse group of Arkansas nonprofit organizations.”

A native of El Dorado, Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas. Her development experience includes work with the Girls Scouts, the Methodist Family Health Foundation, CareLink and Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation.

For more information about the Foundation and their work to provide smart giving decisions for Arkansans, visit www.arcf.org/smartgiving or call 501-372-1116.

###

Arkansas Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization with over a half billion dollars in assets, fosters smart giving to improve communities. The Community Foundation offers tools to help Arkansans protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars as they learn more about community needs. By making grants and sharing knowledge, the Foundation supports existing charitable programs that work for Arkansas and partners to create initiatives that address unmet needs. Since 1976, the Community Foundation has provided more than $314 million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve our neighborhoods, our towns and our entire state. Contributions to Arkansas Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.

Bentio Lubazibra is a local entrepreneur and the founder of ReMix ideas. He has been working closely with the Community Foundation through our Impact Investing initiative to support black entrepreneurs in central Arkansas. A native of Tanzania and graduate of the University of Central Arkansas, Lubazibwa now calls Little Rock home. We sat down with him to learn more about how and why he is pushing for progress for Black-owned businesses.

What are some of the best examples that have come through your programs?

I’m really excited about the company Truth Sauce and Truth All Purpose Seasoning founded in 2019 by Keith Tucker Jr. and his son Keith Tucker, III.  Truth Sauce is an all-purpose sauce used to dress ribs, chicken, steak.  It’s a really great product!   

In the beginning, Keith sold this sauce from the trunk of his car. He would take his sauce to barbershops and to wherever people were — always ready to make a sale. But now the Truth Sauce and All Purpose Seasoning is in retail stores across the state of Arkansas. His product is in Drug Emporium, Cash Savers, Food Giant, Uncle T’s and other retailers across the state. 

It’s remarkable to see the growth and scale of this company in a relatively short period of time.  

As an alum of ReMix Ideas Business Academy, I am particularly proud to witness Keith grow as an entrepreneur and to see the Truth Sauce and All Purpose Seasoning company scale in marketplace. I fully anticipate this company becoming a conduit of intergenerational wealth for this family. 

How can locals (Arkansans) be involved?

I invite locals to join us in democratizing access to capital. As with all businesses, we need customers to thrive. So, shopping faithfully at Black-owned businesses is a must. And for organizations and companies, procuring goods and services and contracting with a Black-owned businesses can be pivotal in increasing capital for under-resourced entrepreneurs. 

Locals can also support our mission by making a financial contribution to Advancing Black Entrepreneurship, Inc. which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Contributions will support micro-grant funds, mentorship and technical assistance for Black-owned businesses in Arkansas.

What do you wish more Arkansans knew or understood about the work you are doing? 

What inspires me about the work I do is the resilience, courage, and perseverance demonstrated by Black entrepreneurs as they build and operate their businesses despite unjust systems and economic conditions. Despite these hurdles, Black business ownership is still on the rise—this inspires me greatly! Despite daily injustices, Black people still dream, still imagine, still aspire, still strive to bring life to their ideas. The entrepreneurial spirit is very much alive in the Black community.

What are some of the barriers facing small entrepreneurs that your program seeks to address?

Over the past few years, I have worked closely with Black entrepreneurs, and I’ve witnessed many of their business dreams die in the bank parking lot due to low credit scores and lack of collateral. These economic redlines have denied under-resourced business far too long.

So, I am excited that we launched the Imani Fund, an innovative loan product which is rooted in equity. The Imani Fund uses an uncommon underwriting process that assesses an individual’s character and community engagement rather than collateral to be considered for a loan. Another unique feature is that an individual’s potential to execute a viable business model in the future outweighs past relationship with personal debt.

The Imani Fund provides under-resourced entrepreneurs in Arkansas with microloans between $5,000 and $25,000 as well as free technical assistance. The goal is to minimize the systemic barriers to accessing to capital that under-resourced entrepreneurs often face.

I believe that access to capital is the key for businesses to survive, grow, and scale.

Ranging from $175 million to a whopping $15 billion, the 10 largest gifts to charity in 2021 may have caught your clients’ attention. Not only do philanthropic gifts seem to keep getting bigger, but the future looks bright, too, with more than $84 trillion projected to be handed down in what may be one of the largest intergenerational transfers of wealth in history. Although most of that money will flow to heirs, projections indicate that charities could receive as much as 14% (nine percent in the form of bequests and the rest as lifetime gifts to charity). 

As your Baby Boomer clients plan their estates, keep that 14% in mind, especially as philanthropists at all levels are becoming increasingly intent on making an immediate impact on important causes instead of leaving behind perpetual philanthropic structures. 

Through our Strategic Giving Services the team at Arkansas Community Foundation can help you develop an impact-focused philanthropy plan for your clients

The following types of clients are ideally suited for this type of service:  

–Families who have started to talk with you about multi-generational participation in philanthropy but do not yet have any formalized plans.

–Families who have publicly demonstrated a commitment to three or more charitable organizations.

–Families who own a multi-generational family business such that corporate giving and enterprise legacy have become intertwined.

–Families in which members across multiple generations appear to be actively involved in philanthropy discussions.

The team at the Community Foundation has the depth and breadth of experience to help you in these instances, and much more. 

On February 18, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced the re-establishment of the Women’s Commission, marking the 50th anniversary of the last established Women’s Commission in Arkansas in 1973. The Commission’s work will include the study and analysis of the participation of Arkansas women in the state’s labor force; barriers to entry into the labor force; and the participation of Arkansas women in entrepreneurial pursuits in emerging and high-demand career paths such as STEM.

The governor appointed Heather Larkin, president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation, as one of 18 members of the commission. Alison Williams, chief of staff for Gov. Hutchinson, will serve as chair.

“In my administration, women are an essential part of my leadership team,” Gov. Hutchinson said. “I have relied upon women in leadership positions to bring success to my administration.”

Arkansas has had four commissions that focus on women, starting with the one Gov. Orval Faubus created in 1964 to focus on the social, political, and economic status of women. Gov. Rockefeller established the next commission to focus on state employment laws and differences in legal treatment of men and women. In 1973, Gov. Dale Bumpers reinstated the commission to find ways to enlarge the role of women in economic, political, and social institutions. In 1975, Gov. David Pryor instituted the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women to focus, in part, on Title IX and the Equal Rights Amendment. 

Photo courtesy of the Office of Governor Asa Hutchinson

The newly formed commission will submit their report to the governor by Dec. 1, 2022. See the Governor’s Executive Order establishing the commission here.

Members of the commission:

  • Alison Williams, chair
  • Marie Holder
  • Dr. Charisse Childers
  • Tamika Edwards
  • Gayatri Agnew
  • Kim Lane
  • Mellie Bridewell
  • Dr. Cherisse Jones-Branch
  • Kathy Loyd
  • Beverly Morrow
  • Dr. Veronikha Salazar
  • Dr. Todd Shields
  • Naija White
  • Heather Larkin

CPA Sharon Wilson of Forrest City is using the knowledge she’s gained and the relationships she’s built while serving on the Arkansas Community Foundation State Board to drive economic development for her community in the Delta.

“Whether it’s housing, credit repair or better conditions for our kids, my goal is to build partnerships that can help people in the Delta get to that next level,” Sharon said.

A former leader on the St. Francis County Community Foundation Affiliate Board, she knows the challenges of meeting local needs. She led the grants committee where her role was to identify local nonprofits doing work to better the community and support them through grants.

Sharon Wilson

“Anytime I saw an organization pushing the next man forward, we’d join that effort,” Sharon said. “Whether it was a food pantry, a sports organization, or an afterschool program, the causes we supported raised up the people of our community.”

The Lake Village native and her husband Circuit Judge E. Dion Wilson moved to Forrest City in 1994 and set up law and CPA practices in an office they remodeled in the heart of downtown. Today, their family includes three children and two grandchildren.

“As soon as we moved here, we felt that we needed to give back,” she said. “Kids in Forrest City didn’t see a lot of people who looked like us in professional roles. We wanted to be the family that let them know the possibilities. We wanted them to see the opportunities that come when you get your education.”

Sharon’s CPA firm currently manages federal funds for the Forrest City School District. She’s a tax preparer and a consultant for small municipalities and nonprofits in addition to work with individual clients.

“As my clients age, that’s when a lot of them talk about what they want to do with their money. Even some of the younger ones want to make a difference in their communities with the resources they’ve earned,” Sharon said. “I share information about different vehicles that can help them with charitable giving, and the Community Foundation has been a tremendous resource.”

Sharon said the Community Foundation helps her clients meet goals for their family philanthropy and helps teach the next generation the best ways to give. “The staff is always ready and willing to help,” she said. “They are easy to work with, efficient, and their investment policies ensure maximum gains without sacrificing the safety of the funds.”

Little Rock, Ark. (Feb. 1, 2022) – Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation, in partnership with Arkansas Community Foundation, is awarding grants to programs that benefit African American or other underserved populations in Arkansas. Nonprofits with programs focusing on education, health and wellness, youth development, strengthening families and economic development are eligible to apply. Grants that mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on these areas will also be considered.

“We are especially grateful to our donors whose consistent support allows us to fund our grant program each year. It is critically important that we continue to support organizations facing new challenges created by the pandemic. There are many nonprofits working tirelessly in communities throughout Arkansas to improve the quality of life for its citizens,” said Charles Stewart, ABHOF Chair. “This grant program allows us to make our state a better place to live for these communities.”

Since 2004, ABHOF has granted more than $667,000 to nonprofits across the state, with total community investment exceeding one million dollars. Projects supported 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 helps provide a support system for Arkansas nonprofits working to create positive change for underserved populations,” said Heather Larkin, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. “We’re proud of this investment and the programs that continue to support local people working to improve their communities.”

Grants will typically range from $1,000 to $2,500 but may approach $5,000 in special circumstances. 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.

###

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 nonprofit organization with over a half billion dollars in assets, fosters smart giving to improve communities. The Community Foundation offers tools to help Arkansans protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars as they learn more about community needs. By making grants and sharing knowledge, the Foundation supports existing charitable programs that work for Arkansas and partners to create initiatives that address unmet needs. Since 1976, the Community Foundation has provided more than $314 million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve our neighborhoods, our towns and our entire state. Contributions to Arkansas Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.

Little Rock, Ark. (Feb. 7, 2022) – Scholarships are now available for eligible Arkansas students through Arkansas Community Foundation.

Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. In general, 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. 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 Endowment, provides a scholarship for female students pursuing a business degree at a college or university in Pulaski County
  • Anne Pressly Scholarship Endowment, to memorialize the legacy of Anne Pressly and support a female graduate of an Arkansas high school who plans to pursue a career in Journalism
  • Arkansas Service Memorial Scholarship Endowment, for students who are children of Arkansans who lost their life in service in the state, nation or community
  • Barbara Mashburn Memorial Scholarship Endowment, provides a scholarship for a graduate of an Arkansas high school pursuing an education as a vocalist
  • East Student Scholarship Endowment, provides a scholarship to a graduating senior who attends any high school with an EAST program
  • Elizabeth G. Redman Republican Party of Arkansas Scholarship Endowment, for students who are members of or active in the Republican Party of Arkansas
  • Herchel and Melba A. Fildes Endowment, 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 Endowment, for students who are members of the Arkansas Federation of Young Republicans or are active in the Republican Party of Arkansas
  • Lu Nedrow Graduate Scholarship Endowment, provides a scholarship for a member of the Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro who is pursuing a graduate degree
  • Marie and Bob Marshall Republican Party of Arkansas Scholarship Endowment, for students who are members of or active in the Republican Party of Arkansas
  • Merwin T. and Agnes Bowman Nursing Scholarship Endowment, for students seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent degree from a qualified institution.
  • Poultry Federation Scholarship Fund 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 Fund, provides a scholarship to students pursuing an advanced degree with an emphasis in healthcare and/or hospital administration
  • Roy Burlison Honorary Scholarship Fund, provides scholarships to high school seniors who are fast-pitch softball players
  • Ryan Mondy D.A.S.H. Memorial Scholarship Endowment, provides scholarships to graduating seniors whose lives have been affected by cancer
  • Sheffield Nelson Scholarship Endowment for UCA, provides a scholarship to student enrolled at University of Central Arkansas

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 nonprofit organization with over a half billion dollars in assets, fosters smart giving to improve communities. The Community Foundation offers tools to help Arkansans protect, grow and direct their charitable dollars as they learn more about community needs. By making grants and sharing knowledge, the Foundation supports existing charitable programs that work for Arkansas and partners to create initiatives that address unmet needs. Since 1976, the Community Foundation has provided more than $314 million in grants and partnered with thousands of Arkansans to help them improve our neighborhoods, our towns and our entire state. Contributions to Arkansas Community Foundation, its funds and any of its 29 affiliates are fully tax deductible.

###