Press Release

Springdale, AR
April 7, 2000

Contact: Hugh Means - 501.927.0970
Suzanne Ward - 501.927.0970

Springdale, AR — The board of directors of CommunityCare Foundation, Inc. announced its first round of grants today. Bob Shaw, chair of the board of directors, announced that a total of $1,457,130 was awarded to 26 agencies serving Washington and Benton counties. According to Shaw, "We were overwhelmed with the response to the Foundation's request for proposals. A total of 175 proposals were received, requesting more than $26 million, all for worthwhile programs. Reviewing the proposals was a very difficult and enlightening experience for all of us, and we appreciate the patience of the applicant agencies as we reviewed their requests."

Grants range in size from $5,000 to $500,000 with a median award size of $32,600. The smallest grant was $5,000 to Helping Hands, Inc. in Bentonville to pay for a financial audit for the organization. The largest grant in this cycle ($500,000), and the first grant ever made by the Foundation, was presented by board member Walter Turnbow to the Harvey and Bernice Jones Center for Families on Friday, March 31, as part of the celebration honoring Mrs. Jones. In presenting the award, Turnbow remarked that the Foundation wanted to recognize the leadership of Harvey and Bernice Jones in the development of the Springdale Memorial Hospital, now the Northwest Medical Center.

Grant awards were made to organizations in all five of the areas of interest to the Foundation: health, human services, education, arts and culture, and public/society benefit. The following chart shows the percent of funds allocated in each area:

Agencies receiving funds are headquartered primarily in Springdale and Bentonville; however, the service areas for the programs are generally for all of northwest Arkansas. The pie chart shows the service areas for programs receiving funds in this grant cycle.

A list of all grants, in alphabetical order, follows:

Abilities Unlimited of Northwest Arkansas, Fayetteville, $35,000 for construction of a handicap-accessible bathroom and an access ramp for the building. The program provides training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.

Adult Development Center of Benton County, Rogers, $35,000 general operating support for the program to provide care and education to disabled adults.

Arts Center of the Ozarks, Springdale, $25,000, general operating support. ACO offers programs in theatre, visual arts, music and dance.

Bella Vista Public Library, Bella Vista, $28,761 to upgrade computer hardware and software.

Bella Vista Village Courtesy Transportation Service, Bella Vista, $35,280 to purchase a handicapped-accessible van and provide free transportation services to seniors.

Benton County Domestic Violence Council, Little Flock, $68,820 general operating support for a countywide program to coordinate domestic violence interventions.

Benton County Women's Shelter, Bentonville, $16,640 to fund an art therapy program and volunteer coordinator position to serve women and their children who are victims of domestic violence.

Building Bridges Infant/Toddler Center (Bentonville Public Schools), $30,000 to purchase equipment for the daycare facility in the new high school.

Children's Safety Center, Springdale, $25,000 general operating support to provide services to children who are suspected of being victims of sexual abuse.

Circle of Life Hospice, Springdale, $75,000, startup costs for services to patients and families facing terminal illnesses in Washington, Benton and Madison counties.

Community Clinic (St. Francis House), Springdale, $75,000 general support for medical and dental services.

Har-Ber School of Nursing, Springdale, $16,940 to purchase teaching aids and computers for classrooms.

Helen R. Walton Children's Center, Bentonville, $25,000 for general operating support of the daycare program.

Helping Hands, Inc., Bentonville, up to $5,000 to conduct an audit of the financial operations.

Harvey and Bernice Jones Center for Families, Springdale, $500,000, general operating support to provide recreational, educational, and health programs.

Life Styles, Inc., Fayetteville, $40,000 to purchase a van with wheelchair lift to provide transportation to people with developmental disabilities.

North Arkansas Symphony Society, Fayetteville, $25,000 for expansion of the Youth Orchestra Program.

Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter, Bentonville, $32,600 to begin an independent living program for teenage women.

Office of Human Concern Benton County Senior Activity Center, Bentonville, $51,669 to purchase a truck and van for delivery of hot meals to the frail and elderly in Bentonville and Rogers.

Springdale Fire Department, Springdale, $25,000 to purchase a Fire Safety House, a mobile classroom to be used to teach fire safety and emergency preparedness.

Springdale High School, Springdale, $129,720 to purchase an interior and exterior video surveillance system to ensure the safety of students.

Springdale High School, Springdale, $42,100 to purchase computer hardware and software for the Alternative Education Program.

Springdale Public Schools, Springdale, $25,000 to renovate and furnish a space to be used as an intake and education center for non-English speaking children and families.

Village House, Inc., Bella Vista, $15,000 to build a secure outdoor area and provide art therapy services as part of the adult daycare program.

Washington County HIV Clinic, Fayetteville, $42,000 in general operating support to provide comprehensive care for HIV patients and HIV prevention education.

Youth Bridge, Inc., Fayetteville, $32,600 in general operating support for the new Youth Counseling Center in Centerton.

Bob Shaw indicated that the next deadline for grant applications to CommunityCare Foundation, Inc. is May 31, 2000. The Foundation expects to make grants totaling approximately $5 million in 2000.

CommunityCare Foundation, Inc. was founded in 1998 with funds from the sale of Northwest Medical Center in Springdale and Bates Medical Center in Bentonville. The Foundation operates as a supporting organization to the Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation and its mission is to enrich the quality of life in this area.

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