Dr. Carolyn Blakely, retired professor of English and founder of the Honors College at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, learned the practice of giving early. Her grandmother instilled in her the joy of giving. “I think that is why she lived to be 105 — she was always doing something for others,” said Carolyn. “That’s what we do at Arkansas Community Foundation — we identify the needs in a community and then give to organizations that can meet those needs.”
Carolyn was particularly impressed when she was on the Board of Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation with the development and growth of their Youth Advisory Council. “These young people work together to earn money and make grants to organizations that can help others,” she said.
Now a member of the state board of directors, Carolyn believes individuals and organizations give to the Community Foundation because the Foundation creates endowments, manages the investments wisely and helps them direct the income from their funds.
“The Community Foundation is one of our state’s greatest assets because of our passion and compassion,” she said. “I have been fortunate to meet people throughout our state that recognize we are not in this alone. Together we can improve our communities.”