Arkansas Community Foundation Faulkner County

09/01/2026

A huge thank‑you to Osmar Garcia for inspiring us at today’s Chamber of Commerce CEO Luncheon.

With his experience on the Arkansas Community Foundation Board and the Faulkner County Affiliate, Osmar knows how philanthropy fuels real change. His message about early literacy, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and local services was a powerful call to invest in our community’s future.

His reminder that anyone can participate in philanthropy — even through a donor advised fund — was the perfect takeaway.

08/27/2026

The new fiscal year started off with a planning retreat at the Faulkner County Library. We are excited to plan ways to better support our local nonprofit organizations.

This is an amazing group of individuals who care about Faulkner County.

07/21/2026

Happy to support these partnerships for literacy in Faulkner County.

07/09/2026

The Toad Suck Daze GetSmart Scholarship was first awarded in 2009 to four recipients, Lacie McCollum, CBC; Alexander Dayer, Hendrix; Courtney Moody, UCA; Stewart Clark, UCA. Since then, our affiliate has awarded $341,250 with $18,000 more scheduled for this fall.

06/24/2026

Congratulations to Jennifer Welter, one of our affiliate board members for this accomplishment.

🎉 Congratulations to Jennifer Welter! 🎉

ACAAA is proud to recognize Jennifer Welter, Executive Director of CAPCA, Inc., on her recent accomplishment of being named Arkansas's only Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) for 2026!

The CCAP credential is one of the highest professional certifications available within the Community Action Network and represents a significant commitment to excellence, leadership, and lifelong learning. Achieving CCAP status requires extensive study, demonstration of knowledge across multiple areas of Community Action, successful completion of a rigorous examination process, and a deep understanding of the history, values, and mission of our national movement.

This accomplishment is not only a personal achievement for Jennifer, but also a reflection of the strength and professionalism of Arkansas's Community Action Network. CCAP-certified professionals help strengthen agencies, build organizational capacity, advance best practices, and ensure that Community Action remains a powerful force in creating opportunities for individuals, families, and communities.

Jennifer's dedication to Community Action has been evident throughout her career. Her commitment to serving others, developing innovative solutions, and advocating for families and communities continues to make a meaningful impact across the state. She exemplifies the leadership, passion, and servant-hearted approach that define the very best of Community Action.

Please join us in congratulating Jennifer on this outstanding achievement and thanking her for her continued dedication to CAPCA, the Community Action Network, and the people we serve every day.

Your hard work, commitment to professional excellence, and passion for helping others inspire us all. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you and look forward to your continued leadership in strengthening Arkansas communities.

👏 Congratulations, Jennifer!
Jennifer Hussey-Welter
CAPCA Community Action Program for Central Arkansas

06/19/2026

Our affiliate continues to support the efforts of the Conway Ministry Center. This amazing organization has received multiple grants for a variety of programs they offer to our neighbors in need.

Over the past several weeks, the Conway Ministry Center has experienced an unprecedented increase in requests for assistance. In fact, the number of people seeking help has grown by more than 45% week after week, and every ounce of energy our team has is being poured into responding to the needs we see across our community.

We have been humbled to learn that many individuals and organizations are directing people to the Ministry Center when they don’t know where else to send them. While the volume has been overwhelming at times, we consider it an incredible honor to be trusted in this way. We are grateful that our community sees us as a place of hope when life becomes difficult.

Because we are committed to being good stewards of every dollar, donation, and resource entrusted to us, our case managers are working long hours to serve as many people as possible. To better respond, we have also expanded our phone system so that calls now ring directly to all staff members, not just our main office line.

To those who have reached out and are waiting for a return call, please know that we see you. We understand the urgency behind many of these requests, and we are doing everything we can to respond thoughtfully, compassionately, and responsibly. We simply ask for your patience and grace as we navigate a season where the need is great.

In moments like these, we are reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 9:36, that He looked upon the crowds and had compassion on them because they were weary and scattered. That same compassion continues to guide our work today. While we may not always have every answer, we will continue striving to offer hope, dignity, and practical help to those who walk through our doors.

Thank you for believing in this mission, praying for our staff, and standing with us as we serve our neighbors.

— Sarah Wilson
Executive Director
Conway Ministry Center

05/29/2026

Our affiliate was able to award $1500 this year to Little Darlins Animal Rescue to help with the expansion their animal rescue from 3 acres to 15.5 acres.

Their mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals while inspiring our community to create a kinder,
safer world for them.

This year, the Community Foundation will once again support local efforts all over the state related to animal welfare. And it’s happening because of the forethought of one animal lover: Martha Barber

Martha established the Martha Barber Animal Welfare Endowment in 1998 as a testament to her love for animals. She truly adored “all creatures great and small,” but dogs and cats particularly. Over time she became so excited about the need for such funds that she wanted to get started rather than waiting for her death. She made charitable gifts to open a current fund that would then later receive her estate for a permanent endowment. She would proudly share pictures of the animals her gifts helped sent to her from humane societies throughout the state. What joy that giving brought her!

She lived a life defined by curiosity, creativity, and exploration. An artist, educator, and world traveler, she helped found the art department at what would become UALR and later returned as a professor, shaping generations of students in painting, design, and art history. Martha passed away in 2010 at 90 years old. Since then, the fund has supported animal welfare organizations all over the state.

The fund is endowed, meaning it will continue to generate the dollars to pay for animal welfare programs forever. Sixteen years after her passing, Martha Barber is still creating impact in this community. That’s the power of an endowment!

05/05/2026

🎓 Celebrating the Class of 2026 — and all past scholarship recipients who continue to make us proud!

Our affiliate has awarded over $574,000 in scholarships since 2001.

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04/29/2026

How should transit services in Conway expand in the future? The City of Conway is seeking community feedback on proposed fixed-route bus options and ways to improve current on-demand microtransit service. Your input will help guide future transportation planning decisions.

Review the recommendations and complete the survey by Friday, May 8 at the following link: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/ce1079af828c46b0886954f3b6dfbc9c/

04/28/2026

Early literacy is key to a thriving community. We are proud of the good work done here in Faulkner County.

We’re so grateful to the Arkansas Community Foundation Faulkner County for their generous support of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library! 📚✨

Because of this meaningful donation, more children in our community will have access to the joy of books and the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. Thank you for investing in our youngest learners and helping stories reach homes across Faulkner County! 💛