Arkansas

Arkansas AFN is a regional chapter of grantmakers who invest in opportunities for low and middle income individuals and families to build economic well-being. Members include private, public, corporate, and community foundations, public-sector funders, and financial institutions who want to help Arkansans secure economic stability, for now and for years to come. Arkansas AFN connects funders and their peers in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Together they share promising programs and smart strategies, gather knowledge to make their grantmaking more effective, and work to increase investments in asset building.

Arkansas AFN was launched in 2016 as a regional affiliate of national AFN by a core group of funders including the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Entergy Charitable Foundation, the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, Southern BanCorp Community Partners, and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis-Little Rock Branch. Membership is open to funders who invest in a range of initiatives that build assets for Arkansas, from early childhood education, college access, or workforce development to health, financial capacity, or micro-enterprise. Arkansas AFN members meet regularly and host events to share ideas. Grantmakers investing in Arkansas should contact Abby Hughes Holsclaw if interested in joining this chapter.

How We Work

Educate: Arkansas AFN members learn from one another and other stakeholders as they seek solutions to local challenges. The chapter hosts forums on a variety of topics, gathering local leaders and national experts together to share data and ideas.

Elevate: Arkansas AFN highlights promising practices, key issues, and innovations in the field through funder-only dialogues as well as other convenings. Members provide an insightful Southern voice to inform national conversations on topics including Children’s Savings Accounts, financial coaching, Arkansas tax reform, and banking the unbanked.

Influence: Arkansas AFN engages key stakeholders in the benefits of expanding access to opportunities to build assets. The chapter is working to raise the visibility of asset-building strategies within the broader community of foundations, public-sector funders, and financial institutions.

Grow: Arkansas AFN works to increase the number of grantmakers and resources focused on economic well-being. Members leverage one another’s interests and investments and actively look for additional funders willing to invest in the South.