Southeastern Council of Foundations

An article in the January 10 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, "Transition from Sparks Hospital to Charitable Entity a Long Process," is noteworthy in two respects: it is a great example of a local reporter, Laurie Whalen, reaching out for a larger perspective on philanthropy, setting up a foundation and foundation regulations; and it underscores the importance of having foundation officials who are accessible to the media, willing and capable of explaining philanthropy policy in terms that the average reader can digest and comprehend.

In this instance, Heather Larkin, president and CEO of the Arkansas Community Foundation in Little Rock, offered a very helpful explanation of health conversion foundations, while articulating that transparency and accountability must be hallmarks of all foundations. Kudos to Whalen and Larkin for helping Arkansas citizens to understand the challenges and nuances involved in the creation of the Fort Smith Regional Healthcare Foundation out of the sale of the non-profit Sparks Regional Medical Center to a for-profit health care provider and simultaneously increasing public awareness of the extraordinary benefits that foundations offer their communities.