Arkansas Community Foundation to host day of giving

The Arkansas Community Foundation (ACF) is hosting an event known as ArkansasGives, on Thursday, April 7.
This one-day online event allows people to donate money to nonprofit organizations across the state of Arkansas. These organizations range from providing scholarships to feeding the hungry to mentoring children, but they are all focused on improving the community. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at ArkansasGives.org.
This is only the second year for ArkansasGives, but according to Chief Communications Officer Sarah Kinser, the nonprofit participation has almost doubled, from 361 to 600 nonprofits.
“The idea came from a conference that members of ACF attended in 2012,” Kinser said. “Our goal is to have a creative platform and generate a celebration of giving, as well as give people a secure, online tool for giving.”
ArkansasGives has a goal of four million dollars to be raised during the twelve hours.
“We had a goal of one million dollars last year,” Kinser said. “However, we were completely blown away by the community’s response and received two million dollars.”
There is a minimum donation amount of $25, but no maximum donation amount. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express are all accepted online. The ACF will match a percentage of the leader’s earnings with bonus dollars, according to Kinser.
ArkansasGives will be hosting an invitation-only watch party at the AFC headquarters located at the AT&T Building in Little Rock. However, there will be a watch party open to the public at Robbins Sanford Grand Hall in Searcy, Arkansas.
“Local nonprofits will have booths set up at our watch party to pass out information about their organization,” Executive Director of White County Community Foundation Dana Stewart said. “We look forward to watching the leaderboards and cheer on our local participants throughout the day, and we hope that everyone is able to stop by.”
According to Stewart, White County had four nonprofit organizations participating last year. This year 25 nonprofits are accepting donations through ArkansasGives.
“We are excited to be a part of the program and the great awareness it brings to our organization, as well as others,” Jacob’s Place Board of Directors President Mat Faulkner said. “Our board has been actively promoting this event and we are hopeful to receive many donations and maybe bonus dollars.”
Jacob’s Place will be in attendance at the watch party and will also be throwing a block party on Tuesday, April 5 to bring awareness to ArkansasGives and celebrate the opening of their recently renovated temporary housing.
To receive a text reminder about giving, text ARGives to 245-87. The results of the donations will be posted on ArkansasGives.org, Facebook and Twitter as the gifts are received.