Fifty Years of Bold Action. A Future That Calls for More.
A Message from the outgoing President & CEO
In communities across Arkansas, the promise of equity continues to be tested. But our grantee partners remind us: progress is still possible. As WRF marks its 50th anniversary, we reflect on the legacy of bold, systems-level change—and recommit to the urgent work ahead. In 2024, WRF invested over $4 million in grants and program-related investments, supporting visionary partners across Arkansas who are addressing systemic inequities in housing, health, education, and more...
A LEGACY OF BOLD ACTION
Why Arkansas, Why now?
In 1974, the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation was created with a singular vision: that equity, opportunity, and dignity should be within reach for every Arkansan. Fifty years later, that commitment not only endures—it has deepened. From seeding the South’s earliest community development financial institutions to strengthening statewide movements for education, housing, workforce mobility, and economic justice, WRF has always understood that transformative change requires more than programmatic investments. It requires long-game strategy, courageous partnerships, and a willingness to act on the belief that Arkansas can model what a thriving, equitable future looks like. In 2024, this legacy remained our North Star as we continued to advance systems change rooted in the stories, leadership, and lived experiences of Arkansans.
WRF's Program Officer's sat down with several of our mission-critical partners to discuss why Arkansas matters and why building trust and strengthening relationships continues to be our priority.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR PARTNERS
"Because of the flexibility of the funding that we have received from WRF, it has allowed us to shift when we needed to shift. So when we have the dire situation like the water crisis [in Helena], we already had our agenda of serving our entrepreneurs and business owners, we were able to let them know the pivot-and they were able to be a part of helping us serve the community." - Patricia Ashanti, Delta Circles
"Our leaders are taking on more. Our organizers have more capacity. We are starting to expand, going from 10 communities to 12. But it's not only being able to expand, it's about the depth of work we are able to do in those communities." Bill Kopsky, Arkansas Public Policy Panel
2024 IN FOCUS
Investing in Trust, Centering Community
In 2024, we deployed more than $4 million in grants and program-related investments to support ALICE Arkansans and advance structural change across the state. Our funding supported:
- Housing and economic mobility in the Delta (Houseaboutit, Delta Circles, DCD Law Center)
- Worker rights and dignity (Venceremos)
- Health equity in rural communities (AR Rural Health Partnership, Delta Population Health Institute)
- Civic engagement and thriving communities (Arkansas United, AR Public Policy Panel, and more)
Capital for Capacity: A $50M Vision for the Next 50 Years
To mark our 50th year, we launched the Arkansas Enterprise Capital Grant Fund—a historic initiative designed to build long-term sustainability and power for nonprofit organizations across Arkansas. This fund provides large, flexible, multi-year grants to strengthen operational capacity, infrastructure, and leadership pipelines, especially for BIPOC-led and equity-centered organizations. Learn more about this game-changing commitment →