Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation welcomes Pearl McElfish as their new Chief Development Officer.
An alumnus of Arkansas Tech University, McElfish holds an advanced degree in Community and Economic Development from the University of Central Arkansas and is a Masters of Arts candidate in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University and Purdue's Center on Philanthropy.
She brings more than 10 years of nonprofit management experience. Prior to moving to the northwest Arkansas area, McElfish served as the Chief Development Officer of Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton, Arkansas and most recently has served as a principle consultant for the Health Resources and Services Administration (a Division of the Health and Human Services Administration) and Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Public Policy. In this role she has assisted nonprofits across the Nation with strategic planning, nonprofit management, income development, and marketing.
Her expertise includes development experience in Higher Education, Healthcare, Community Development, Government Relations, and Nonprofit Capacity Building. McElfish holds professional certifications in Community Development, Nonprofit Management, and Project Management. In 2005, McElfish was awarded the Healthcare Hero award by Governor Mike Huckabee for her contributions to the state community health capacity building.
An Arkansas native, McElfish resides in Fayetteville with her husband, Shannon and children Kelly, 14 and Lucas, 11.
Jack Butt Chair of Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation expressed his excitement. "We feel extremely fortunate to have Pearl join Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation as chief development officer," said Butt. "As we continue to strive to meet the needs of philanthropist in northwest Arkansas, Pearl's community development, philanthropy, and nonprofit management skills will be critically important to Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation's future."
Executive Director, Suzanne Ward stated "Pearl's depth and breadth of experience make her a truly rare find. I believe her talents are ideally suited to the task at hand, and I am thrilled to have her join our team."
As chief development officer, McElfish will be responsible for assisting individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to establish philanthropic endowments. McElfish expressed her excitement in joining Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation. "I am so excited to join Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation, where our goal is to connect people to their charitable passions, helping them to realize their dreams and leave a legacy in their community." McElfish stated, "We want to assist investors, so that they can give wisely and with intention." Through the community foundation, everyone can be a philanthropist and give to causes that are most significant to them. "It is important that we match our giving with our passion and our dreams so that we can make a considerable difference in the areas that mean the most to us."
According to Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation (NWACF), philanthropy can accomplish many purposes. You have the ability to strengthen your community, preserve cultural resources, assist the disadvantaged, and benefit yourself and your family as well. Giving through a community foundation can help you:
- Achieve your philanthropic objectives
- Improve your community
- Maximize the tax benefits that charitable donations can provide
Before making any charitable gift, consult with your financial and legal advisors for help in devising a charitable giving plan that is appropriate for you. Once you understand the uses and benefits of making a charitable gift, your professional advisor can arrange a meeting with NWACF staff. NWACF's professional staff can help you achieve the maximum benefit from a charitable gift.
Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation is collection of funds built through charitable contributions dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people in Washington, Benton, Carroll, and Madison counties. For more information call 479-361-4624 or www.nwacf.org
