The Arkansas Community Foundation has announced that Jessica Hughes Ford will serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Heather Larkin, who will retire after 27 years of service. The leadership transition will take effect January 1, 2026.
Tracy Cude, chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, praised Ford’s experience and commitment to Arkansas communities, calling her the ideal leader to guide the Foundation into its next chapter. Ford, a native Arkansan with two decades of nonprofit leadership experience, currently serves as the Foundation’s Chief Communications Officer, a role she has held since 2020.
“Jessica’s leadership, her character, and her deep love for Arkansas have been evident since the moment she joined the Foundation,” said Heather Larkin. “She is a bridge-builder, a convener, and a champion for the communities we serve. I am confident that the Foundation’s future is in excellent hands.”
The announcement coincides with a milestone year for the Arkansas Community Foundation, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. Since its founding in 1976, the Foundation has distributed more than $600 million in grants statewide and is poised to surpass $1 billion in assets. Working through 29 local affiliate offices, the Foundation continues to serve as both a statewide convener and local catalyst for philanthropy.
The Foundation partners with donors, professional advisors, nonprofits, and community leaders to connect resources, inspire solutions, and strengthen Arkansas communities, turning local generosity into lasting statewide impact.
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