Arkansas Community Foundation has issued a call for nomination for its annual Smart Corporate Giving Awards recognizing statewide businesses demonstrating outstanding corporate social responsibility through charitable giving, community leadership and employee volunteerism.
“Each year, we ask for nominations from individuals, businesses and nonprofits throughout the state to recognize companies that invest generously in the communities that have invested in them,” says Heather Larkin, Arkansas Community Foundation president and chief executive officer.
“Corporate giving is vital to our local charitable organizations and the people whose lives are impacted by those charities, and it’s a great investment for companies,” says Larkin.
“Arkansas Community Foundation is in the business of fostering smart giving to improve communities,” says Larkin. “That’s why it’s so important to us to acknowledge extraordinary corporate philanthropy and to encourage a culture of giving among all companies in Arkansas.”
Formerly known as the Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation Awards, the recognition program is now entering its 16th year.
Any for-profit business or corporation in Arkansas is eligible for consideration except for previous award winners within the past 10 years. Nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies are not eligible.
Winners will be selected from among the qualifying nomination by a panel of business leaders to receive Smart Corporate Giving Awards at the Arkansas Business of the Year Awards in March 2020.
Denice Eaves has been named executive director of White County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation.
“We’re excited to welcome Denice on board,” said Heather Larkin, President and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation. “As a longtime resident of Searcy, Denice brings a history of knowledge and expertise to her role that will make prove beneficial to our work in White County.”
Eaves comes the White County Community Foundation from the Searcy Country Club where she had served as office manager since 2015. Prior to that, Eaves spent 12 years as SAFEKIDS Coordinator at White County Medical Center..
Active with the Imagine and Believe Foundation, Eaves has previously served on the boards of Main Street Searcy and the Wise Coalition and is a former junior auxiliary member.
Arkansas Community Foundation has named Kandice Bell, Tracy Cude and Heather Knight Loftis as the three newest members of its statewide board of directors.
Bell, of White Hall, is an attorney who serves as senior counselor and Southeast Arkansas district representative in the office of Governor Asa Hutchinson. An alumnus of the University of Arkansas, Bell received a Juris Doctorate degree in 1997 at the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville.
Cude, of Bentonville, is chief financial officer of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. An alumnus of the University of Arkansas, Cude earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a certified public accountant. She has previously been named Nonprofit CFO of the Year by the Arkansas Business Journal and Accountant of the Year by the University of Arkansas.
Loftis, of Mountain Home, is corporate sales manager at KTLO 97.9 FM and co-owner of Bookworms Café a the Library. An alumnus of the University of Central Arkansas where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing, Loftis previous worked in healthcare philanthropy at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock and Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation in Mountain Home.
Summer will soon be here, bringing along the fun and excitement of special vacation planning.
Researching your destination, shopping for the best airfare prices, and gathering the proper travel gear may top your checklist, but as you update your passport or purchase travel insurance, why not also use this opportunity to review your will and consider creating a legacy plan?
It is tempting to avoid the topic, but estate planning is vital to ensuring your intentions are carried out in the event of your death. Many Americans are unaware lack of estate planning may cause their assets, after death, to be disposed of by default to unintended parties through the complex process of probate.
You have a passion for life that involves helping others and caring for your community, and Arkansas Community Foundation is here to help you create a generosity plan designed to support those causes closest to your heart even after you are gone.
For more than 40 years, the Community Foundation has been stewarding the legacies of community-minded givers like you. Whether your nest egg is large or small, an array of options is available to help you protect your financial interests and provide for your family while also leaving an enduring impact on your community. Some planned gifts can, in fact, provide you with additional income for life or even offer tax advantages for you and your heirs.
Utilizing a Community Foundation fund for your generosity plan is a simple, significant way to continue your legacy. Simply by adding a provision in your trust or making a specified beneficiary designation, you can use a planned gift to add to or create a Community Foundation fund.
So before you set off on your summer vacation, check estate planning off your list and travel securely with peace of mind. Contact our staff or your professional advisor to guide you through the steps of adding a charitable fund into your legacy plan.
Children at Rockefeller Early Childhood Center are learning through play. When the weather is good, they get plenty of time to explore outside.
Brain science demonstrates that for children to reach their full potential, communities need to support the ability of families and childcare programs to provide specific experiences when the brain benefits most – in the first few years of life.
“Responsive interactions at the right stages of development help determine how well children think and regulate emotion,” said Nikki Edge, Ph.D., Assistant Director of the Research and Evaluation Division in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
Development is a combination of genes and environment. We are born with most of the neurons we will ever have, but we need to build connections between neurons to help them communicate and process information. Dr. Edge uses the analogy that we all are born with telephone poles in our brain (the neurons). But we need interaction with our environment to string the wires between those poles (connections between neurons).
“Brains are wired by responsive interaction — that’s what builds the connections between neurons,” she said. “There are 100 trillion connections in one baby’s brain. Those connections are happening because of serve and return experiences with family members and teachers.”
Babies’ experiences are defined by those who care for them. Infants communicate by cooing, babbling, pointing and crying. Adults return by making noises in response, talking, picking them up, rocking them and feeding them. “Every time a child smiles, we smile back. Or not. The heart of quality care is warm tones, teachers who are talking at eye level, who respond to communications,” said Dr. Edge.
“It happens from moment one. By about age 2 there has been phenomenal growth in the child’s ability to communicate. We can predict third-grade reading abilities from age 2 because the wires they need have been set.” Brain science strategies work for everyone, parents as well as early childhood teachers. We can learn to be brain builders by following three major steps:
First, the physical environment should be stimulating, but not overstimulating. Infants and toddlers need books and simple toys because the way that children learn is through play. They need proper nutrition, a safe space to explore and a schedule that fits the age of the child.
Interactions are the heart of brain building. For example, young children in front of a TV may get stimuli, but they don’t get response. There is no serve and return. Even TV shows dedicated to learning can’t substitute for responsiveness from caregivers.
We need to help children learn to build the kind of relationships that will motivate them to do well for those who teach and love them. To build a healthy brain, we need to model the skills we are teaching — be responsive, keep our own composure, problem solve ourselves.
Lack of responsiveness to infants and toddlers is detrimental to brain development. When children are in an environment of fear and anxiety, in a family plagued by substance abuse or experiencing food insecurity, it is more difficult for brains to develop.
“Brain building is not a one-time thing. Our teaching works best when we make it a habit,” said Dr. Edge. “The learning process doesn’t occur unless we model, play and teach consistently. We want to build the kind of brain able to support good choices and impulse control, where fear and anxiety don’t triumph.”
Currently Dr. Edge is researching the social and emotional development of young children, teaching the teachers specific tools that develop essential soft skills. These skills include focus, planning and controlling impulses to stay on task, getting along, solving complex problems with peers, adjusting to the unexpected and working as a team. While teachers think of these as kindergarten readiness, employers think of them as skills they seek in employees.
“By age 2-3, we can teach soft skills using classroom strategies that help future employees function in the workplace,” said Dr. Edge. “The economic development implication of having high-quality, age-appropriate childcare also allows more moms to work because they are confident their children’s developmental needs are being met.”
In programs like REACH (Reaching Educators and Children) teachers learn to teach children to name their feelings. They use emotions posters and regularly talk about and name their feelings to increase emotional literacy. The idea is to teach young children how to stop and think. Some tactics include deep breathing, blowing bubbles and mimicking the turtle who goes into his shell to think before he comes out to act.
The research-based REACH Program gives teachers tools to help children learn conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. For example, if children are fighting over a toy, teachers support the children by stating the problem and suggesting a solution (like taking turns, getting another toy or having set times to play with the toy). The children choose a solution, rather than depending on the teacher to resolve the conflict.
REACH also helps teachers be a good example of social and emotional skills in the classroom. Other programs available in the state have similar goals. “The program Conscious Discipline helps teachers keep their composure and change the lens through which they view a situation,” Dr. Edge said. “They learn to view conflicts among children not as a problem, but as an opportunity to teach and learn, to build those little brains.”
Another research-based program, BehaviorHelp, allows teachers to focus on keeping children in danger of expulsion in the classroom. Research has shown the long-term consequences of being expelled from childcare, including future school failure, adolescent behavior problems and even adult incarceration.
Through BehaviorHelp, teachers receive training, technical assistance and mental health consultation resources from UAMS Project PLAY, the Arkansas Department of Human Services Early Childhood Education or Arkansas State University. The program is geared to meet the needs of each individual child and their teacher. In fiscal year 2018, BehaviorHelp served teachers of 376 children at 206 childcare centers in 54 Arkansas counties.
Providing the right environment and experiences for infants and toddlers ensures healthy brain-building early on. That’s easier than expensive, intensive therapy that could be needed later on if brains are not working to their full potential.
“It is incredibly powerful to remind teachers that, yes, there are some things they can’t change. But we can shape the brains of those kids eight hours a day in a healthy space with a responsive caregiver,” said Dr. Edge. “Eight hours a day of responsive, healthy interactions goes a long way even if the other environments are not optimal. That can be life changing, brain changing!”
Community programs that ensure food security for all children and help provide living environments that are free from trauma, domestic violence and substance abuse are keys to brain building. Another way to support child development is to become engaged in creating innovative programs like community-funded childcare or encouraging employers to consider operation of quality childcare facilities.
“It is nearly impossible to run a quality program on what parents can pay,” said Dr. Edge. “Subsidizing quality childcare and regulating the experiences are big challenges. The most important part of brain building, responsive interaction, is the hardest thing to regulate.”
Often current regulations fail to recognize the importance of interaction in early childhood education. Recently, Arkansas DHS/Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education strengthened regulations requiring a 1-5 teacher ratio. While it is an improvement from 1-6, it is still difficult for one teacher to have individual responses to five infants or toddlers.
“The policies aren’t catching up with the research quickly enough. I feel a sense of urgency,” said Dr. Edge. “One thing everyone can do is educate policy-makers in their community about utilizing brain science research to help children reach their full potential.”
Shaneen Sloan, a native Arkansan, witnesses the generosity of people in our state daily. As a partner with Hyden, Miron and Foster PLLC, she provides her clients with smart giving advice as they begin to think about giving back to the community they call home.
To Shaneen, smart giving advice means offering insight on the giving process. “It includes consideration of the type, time and recipient of the gift. Trusting the Community Foundation to assist in this process has helped me provide the tools and resources needed to make sure my clients’ gifts have the greatest impact.”
Typically, Shaneen discusses charitable giving options with clients as they update their estate plans. Ensuring they have all the information needed to make tax-smart decisions, Community Foundation staff offer information and resources like Aspire Arkansas so her clients feel confident as they give.
“I have worked with some very charitable-minded people who want to make a positive impact in their communities long after they are gone. With the help of organizations like the Community Foundation, those ideas can become a reality by pooling resources to meet individual and collective goals.”
Working with the Community Foundation makes the giving process simple, flexible and efficient. While advisors like Shaneen maintain the client relationship, the Community Foundation can identify causes in the state that fit the clients’ charitable goals and provide options for them to consider. Shaneen recalls one example of client’s giving that will improve their community for the long-term.
“After the untimely death of a family member, my client and I worked with the Community Foundation to create a scholarship fund to support deserving high school graduates who plan to continue their education,” Shaneen said. “The planned giving process was simple and the Community Foundation ensured that donations will meet the intended goals; It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”
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Deborah Sesser recently was named executive director of Clark County Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation.
“We are so pleased to add Deborah’s expertise to our staff,” said Heather Larkin, President and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation. “As a local Advisory Board member for the past five years, she knows us well. Her work experience in development, grants administration and public relations will be an asset to our work in Clark County.”
Sesser previously was the development director for Percy and Donna Malone Child Safety Center in Arkadelphia. She has served as a grants consultant for Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas; grants assessment coordinator at Henderson State University; director of grants and research for the City of Arkadelphia; and a newspaper writer, editor and columnist.
A Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow, Sesser was named Arkadelphia Rotary Club Rotarian of the Year in 2015. She is a member of the ASMSA Foundation Fund Board of Ambassadors, the Arkadelphia Rotary Club Board of Directors and was founding president of the Downtown Arkadelphia Board of Directors. She is a Camp Kaleidoscope and Angel Tree volunteer.
Sesser was graduated from Henderson State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and has graduate hours at HSU and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
A story from our 2018 Annual Report
The first Crawford County grant of the newly expanded Western Arkansas Community Foundation helped fund a summer arts camp at the Center for Arts and Education in Van Buren.
Ken Kilgore, a board member of both organizations, explained that the grant to fund the summer program for students from nine communities in Sebastian and Crawford counties exemplifies the spirit of cooperation between the two counties that led the Fort Smith Area Foundation to expand its territory to Crawford County and become Western Arkansas Community Foundation.
This year, 500 students obtained life skills needed to become successful adults. “Students learn the fundamentals of art, and they gain skills in communication and problem solving.” said Jane Owen, CAE executive director. “Parent and teacher feedback is that art activities teach their students good work ethic and build self-confidence.”
In its first 30 years as a Community Foundation Affiliate, Western Arkansas Community Foundation has granted more than $12.6 million while engaging people, connecting resources and inspiring solutions to make western Arkansas a great place to live now and in the future.
“Expanding to Crawford County was the right thing to do,” said Matthew Holland, chair of the Western Arkansas affiliate. “We added more resources, more ideas and more imaginations to reach our goals.”
Our network of 28 affiliate offices helps us understand the unique needs of each town and city. Each office is staffed with a part-time executive director that provides support for the local people who want to give and nonprofits who are providing programs and services to local citizens. Wherever you are in Arkansas, there’s a Community Foundation office nearby. For a full list of affiliate offices, visit arcf.org/affiliates.
Does tax season get you thinking about how you gave in 2018? What goals did you create for yourself and how did you reach them? Year-end sneaks up on all of us, especially as we consider tax-deductible donations. We may find ourselves rushing around to respond to the needs of multiple nonprofits or hastily deciding what to give without really considering long-term benefits or impact.
Either way, tax time can serve as a great – and timely! – reminder to start thinking about the impact of our charitable giving throughout the year so that we can be prepared for the upcoming year-end. Whatever your hopes are for improving your community, the Community Foundation is here to help. Here are four tax-wise giving strategies to consider for the months ahead:
Donor Advised Funds (DAF): A DAF is a giving tool that provides you with immediate tax benefits and allows you to support the charities you choose by recommending grants over time. DAFs provide a simple and efficient solution by giving you the flexibility to take immediate action or create a long-term difference in your community. This option may also be appropriate as an alternative to a private or family foundation. Learn more about the advantages of giving with a donor advised fund.
Bunching: Did you know? You can use a donor advised fund to bunch multiple years’ worth of donations in a single year and itemize to receive maximum tax benefits for your charitable contributions. Then, in following years, you can take the standard deduction. Assets in your DAF can be invested, so your charitable dollars grow tax-free, allowing you to provide ongoing support for your favorite nonprofits, even in the years you claim the standard deduction. Learn more about bunching your donations.
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD): If you’re over the age of 70 ½, you’re eligible to receive a tax break if you donate up to $100,000 as a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from a traditional IRA. A QCD can count as all or some of the IRA owner’s required minimum distribution (RMD), and the QCD amount is not added to taxable income as an RMD normally would be. The QCD is a particularly smart giving move for those who take the standard deduction and would miss out on writing off charitable contributions. Learn more about IRA QCDs.
Highly Appreciated Stock: When you make a gift of appreciated stock to the Foundation, your gift qualifies for a tax deduction based on the stock’s market value. Instead of selling, you can avoid capital gains taxes and establish a charitable fund that benefits the local causes and organizations you care about most. With gifts of appreciated stock, your stock market earnings translate into community impact and provide a rewarding return on your portfolio. Talk with our staff about donating highly appreciated stock.
Depending on your giving goals, our staff can help you find a tax-smart solution to supporting the causes you love. Contact Ashley Coldiron at 501-372-1116 or acoldiron@arcf.org for more information.
School Counts!
This workforce development partnership between Morrilton’s business community, the county’s K-12 schools and the University of Arkansas at Morrilton is supported by the Conway County Community Foundation because of its clear relationship to community growth and personal opportunity.
“Since it started back in 2006, our local Community Foundation has made significant contributions to School Counts,” said John C. Gibson, Conway County Community Foundation executive director. During the three-year period beginning in 2006, the local Foundation contributed $16,406 to the organization, of which $6,000 was a Giving Tree Grant. In addition, other endowment funds held at the Conway County Community Foundation have contributed $111,484 to School Counts! since 2006.
School Counts! concurrent student Jeb Johnson (pictured above), a 16-year-old junior from Springfield, is studying Industrial Maintenance and Mechanical Technology at the new 53,843-square-foot Workforce Training Center officially opened by U of A Morrilton in April. The state-of-the-art facility also offers training in the high-wage, high-demand occupations of HVAC, automotive service technology and welding.
“I’m interested in the electrical field, and after graduating I plan to get an associate degree and then a full four-year degree,” said Johnson. “This way I’ll have the skills to get good summer and part-time jobs I won’t have a lot of debt when I get out.”
He found out about the program at his high school, Nemo Vista, from Lawana Lyon of the Conway County School Counts! Foundation. “I have a fun job – I get to talk to all students in schools in Conway County about the School Counts! program,” Lyon said. “Students learn the importance of having great attendance, setting career goals, being a quality employee and always giving their best effort.”
As students enter high school, Lyon begins to recruit for specifics like the concurrent credit program. This program, including technical and general education credits, is making a big difference in giving eligible students a real jump-start with a post-secondary education. “I love it when I see 12th graders recognized with School Counts! honor cords at graduation ceremonies,” she said.
U of A Morrilton Chancellor Larry Davis said the concurrent student program works because area schools pay a portion of the tuition, School Counts! pays a portion of the tuition and the college waives the fees. “It’s all about the students,” he said. “Lawana does a fabulous job focusing on the kids.”
“I don’t know if we’d exist without the Community Foundation,” Lyon said. “They have helped make our programs financially possible.”
