The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith announced earlier this week that it has received a $7.5 million gift to endow a Center for Nonprofits (CNP) for the university. The gift is anonymous and one of the largest in the history of the university.
“This gift is a profound statement of belief in Fort Smith and the people who are doing some of the most difficult and most meaningful work in our region,” said Blake Rickman, vice chancellor for university advancement and executive director of the UAFS Foundation. “The nonprofits of the River Valley are helping families in crisis, walking alongside individuals who feel forgotten, and fighting every day for those who have nowhere else to turn. This gift will transform their capacity to do that work, and it’s an honor to be a part of it. “
The CNP will become a part of the UAFS Center for Economic Development in downtown Fort Smith’s Bakery District and will provide training for nonprofit organizations across the River Valley region.
“The Center for Nonprofits is a natural extension of the work we do every day at the CED, equipping organizations with practical tools to grow, adapt, and lead,” said Kendall Ross, associate vice chancellor for economic and workforce development and head of the CED. “This gift allows us to apply that same expertise to the nonprofit sector, where the impact is deeply human and profoundly local. We’re honored to hit the ground running.”
Ross hopes to post the position for the leader of the center this week.
The CNP will work with nonprofits providing training to staff at the Center for Economic Development along with proving academic assistance through the university’s Department of Social Work.
CNP will also offer professional development, capacity building and operational support tailored to nonprofit organizations in the River Valley. Participants will also be educated on fundraising, financial management, board governance and strategic communications. Through the donation, the CNP will also offer professional development opportunities.
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