Pine Bluff Community Foundation sets new grant record

Pine Bluff, Arkansas – The Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation recently held its annual grant reception, marking a significant milestone in its history of community support. The event, hosted on Thursday, celebrated the awarding of a record $127,140 in grants to 31 local nonprofits, continuing the foundation’s legacy of substantial financial contributions to the community for the third consecutive year.

Nancy Oudin, the chair of the foundation, expressed her pride in this achievement, noting that the grants surpassed the $100,000 mark for the third year in a row. These funds were distributed through two key programs: the Community Foundation’s Giving Tree grant program and the Jefferson Regional Community Health Endowment. Such a substantial amount of funding underscores the foundation’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the Pine Bluff area.

The range of grant recipients reflects the diverse needs and initiatives within the community. Among those awarded were AR Kids Read, Arkansas Hunters Feeding the Hungry, and the Pine Bluff School District, covering areas from education and hunger relief to community development. Notably, the grants also supported health-focused organizations like the Jefferson Regional Jones-Dunklin Cancer Center and Arkansas Women’s Outreach, indicating a strong commitment to health and well-being in the region.

The Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Arkansas Community Foundation, has a long-standing history dating back to 1987. Over the years, it has made a monumental impact, awarding more than $3.8 million in cumulative grants and scholarships, a testament to its unwavering dedication to the community.

One of the key components of this year’s funding was the Jefferson Regional Health Endowment. This program, aligned with Jefferson Regional’s mission, focuses on bringing quality health care to southeast Arkansas. It targets organizations serving residents in Jefferson and surrounding counties, emphasizing health education, assessment, and screening.

The selection process for the nonprofits was meticulous, ensuring that each grantee met several critical criteria. These included the potential benefit to the community, evidence of collaboration with other organizations, innovative and creative project proposals, and services that contribute to health education and awareness.

The Arkansas Community Foundation, a statewide nonprofit, supports these initiatives by providing resources and insights to help build better communities. Their vision is centered on creating environments where future generations will aspire to live and raise their families.

For more information about the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation’s initiatives and impact, interested parties can visit their website or contact Lawrence Fikes, the executive director, for further insights into their work and future projects.