12-04-2025
$7.5 million anonymous gift fuels nonprofit support initiative at UAFS
The University of Arkansas–Fort Smith announced a transformational $7.5 million gift on April 2, establishing a comprehensive Center for Nonprofits.
The anonymous donation, one of the largest in UAFS history, was revealed during the public kickoff of the university's $85-million comprehensive campaign, 'Intrepid Ambition.'
'This gift is a profound statement of belief in Fort Smith and the people 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 be housed within the UAFS Center for Economic Development at the Bakery District downtown and will provide training and community-building opportunities for nonprofit organizations across the River Valley.
'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 expertise to the nonprofit sector, where the impact is deeply human and profoundly local.'
Ross aims to begin the search for the center's director immediately.
The CNP will support nonprofits in two primary ways: Offering direct training and support to nonprofit staff at the CED and integrating academic expertise through a partnership with the university's Department of Social Work.
Like other UAFS initiatives, such as the Center for Business and Professional Development, the CNP will provide professional development, capacity building, and operational support tailored to nonprofit needs. Training sessions will cover fundraising, financial management, board governance and strategic communications, with opportunities to earn continuing education credits.
The center also will award annual mini-grants to regional nonprofits and provide access to operational resources and technology to enhance service delivery, impact measurement, fundraising and data analysis.
Additionally, the CNP will collaborate with the UAFS Department of Social Work to link academic research with community needs. This partnership will establish an endowed nonprofit faculty position, create applied research initiatives and offer paid student internships, helping to prepare students for careers in the nonprofit sector.
'We recognize that fostering the economic growth of the River Valley is deeply connected with enhancing the social well-being of our community,' said Dr. Shadow Robinson, provost of UAFS. 'This generous gift will allow us to amplify that impact, extending our capacity to serve and strengthen nonprofits throughout the region.'
The CNP will build upon the foundation of River Valley Nonprofits, a local network that emerged in 2020 to support organizations navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This group officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2024 and is working closely with UAFS to establish the new center.
'The launch of the UAFS Center for Nonprofits is a defining moment for the nonprofit community in the River Valley,' said Tim Shields, board president and facilitator of River Valley Nonprofits. 'What started as a grassroots effort in 2020 has evolved into a transformative partnership with UAFS. This $7.5 million endowment ensures that nonprofit leaders can access the tools, training, and resources needed to meet future challenges. It's an investment in the people and organizations changing lives in our region and beyond.'
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: $7.5M donation fuels nonprofit hub at University of Arkansas–Fort Smith
