Impact In Arkansas
 See the impact of
WRF Grants and
the Arkansas
counties affected.
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President's Corner
Like other foundations, our assets have been impacted by recent tumultuous times; however, the convergence of the economic crisis, the nation’s stimulus efforts, and the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation’s Moving the Needle (MTN) strategic plan offers unprecedented leveraging opportunities. With MTN as a guide, WRF plans to take full advantage of those opportunities and work hard to ensure that as our country recovers, Arkansas excels.
The MTN framework serves to guide and focus the Foundation’s grantmaking for the next several years. Although we are in the early implementation stages, it has evolved into a statewide public advocacy and education campaign to combat poverty and increase economic mobility. We have catalyzed philanthropic partners, nonprofit leaders, economic development, government, education, and community stakeholders, to help craft an agenda to bring about systemic change.
In September 2009, the Foundation celebrated 35 years of impacting the lives of Arkansans. Over that 35-year period, the Foundation has granted over $135 million to nonprofits across the state, staying true to the legacy of Governor Winthrop Rockefeller. As we extend that legacy, we will continue deploying our resources to implement sustainable solutions to improve the lives of Arkansans, and move the needle in our state on the most important indicators of child, family, and economic well-being.
View the President's Bio here.
Links to articles by the President
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Rural America as Philanthropy’s Frontier: A Call for Increased Commitment (pdf)
 Dr. Sherece West makes her contribution to the Council on Foundations’ Philanthropy & Rural America. The Council’s vision is “A vibrant, growing, and responsible philanthropic sector that advances the common good.” Discover with Dr. West how the economic frailties that exist in urban America are just as prevalent in rural communities.
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Moving from “What” to “How” (link)
 Dr. Sherece West inserts her perspectives, via an e-journal of philanthropic ideas, around attracting public and private sector investments in rural America.
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Clinton “Scholars in Residence” Submission – Moving the Needle One Family at a Time
 The University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service Center on Community Philanthropy recently launched a new program to reach out to researchers, practitioners, and senior executives who have demonstrated exemplary contributions in the field of community philanthropy. Dr. West was in the inaugural group of “Scholars in Residence Program,” spending May 11–15th, 2009, at the center researching, writing, and interacting with students and faculty at the Clinton School. Read her article submission to the program— Moving the Needle One Family at a Time.
Click here to view the entire publication, Community Philanthropy: Strategies for Impacting Vulnerable Populations.
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Words to Give By: Leading Voices in Advocacy (pdf)
 While making the case for foundation support of advocacy, Dr. Sherece West discusses lessons learned around making social change happen, identifying advocacy activities to support change, and ensuring that these efforts result in long-term community benefits. Dr. West’s story offers a powerful and very personal look at the importance of investing in social change.
Source: Words to Give By: Leading Voices in Advocacy Funding, Alliance for Justice. Download the complete publication at AFJ.org | Alliance for Justice.
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Wit and Wisdom: Unleashing the Philanthropic Imagination (pdf)
 Former WRF President, Dr. Sybil Jordan Hampton is interviewed along with other philanthropic leaders who have worked with creativity and persistence to address issues of race, equity, and poverty throughout their distinguished careers. This is an excerpt from the publication, presented by Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. Click here to view the entire publication.
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