Dear Friends,
What would you be willing to do to add $8 billion dollars to Arkansas’ economy? What would it mean to our families and communities to add $2.5 billion to our state budget? How much faster would Arkansas businesses grow if they had an additional $6.6 billion in revenue? 

It may sound far-fetched, but by simply choosing policies and practices that ensure all Arkansans can obtain a quality education, earn a livable wage and live in a thriving community, we will create a higher living standard for us all.

As a part of the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation’s 2021 Annual Report, we present to you the Business Case for Equity: A Financial Impact Study on Achieving Equity In Arkansas. The Business Case is 1⁄3 of the ABCs of Equity (ALICE, Business Case for
Equity, and Capital Access Report) – a multi-layered blueprint for creating an Arkansas where everyone thrives.

The Business Case was first developed to rally support for ALICE families and workers (the 41% of Arkansans working every day but struggling to make ends meet) during the height of COVID. We aggregated national research and data to understand what Arkansas will gain when we achieve equity in our public and private systems. And, we convened leaders and community partners to consider the systems changes we need to fully support Arkansas entrepreneurs and the economy.

We also leaned into the leadership and wisdom of our partners. They confirm that the Business Case spells out the necessity for deep investment in our nonprofit infrastructure, more support for the ecosystem of local leaders and entrepreneurs, and coalition building for advocacy and systemic change. We listened and in 2021 invested nearly $6 million in the people doing the hard work to create new educational and economic opportunities across the state.

We are grateful for the ongoing commitment of our grantee partners and trusted community leaders. And we are eager to continue with them in our relentless pursuit of equity for all Arkansans. 

We offer the Business Case as evidence that an equitable Arkansas is possible and profitable. We invite you to join us in making Arkansas a state where hard work works for all.