The Heartland Foundation of Little Rock, the charitable outlet of Heartland Bank, contributed $105,000 to 13 nonprofits in 2015.
According to Rick O'Brien, the bank's president and CEO, the bank's board of directors created The Heartland Foundation in 2013 to focus the bank’s charitable contributions on improving the lives of children.
The charitable donations are budgeted in each year and employees may contribute personal funds.
"As parents and long-time supporters of Arkansas Children’s Hospital, board members and staff naturally began our charitable giving to that organization," O’Brien said. "But there are so many other worthy organizations at work here in Arkansas that deserve support. So our mission includes other important child-related nonprofits such as Ronald McDonald House and the Children’s Protection Center."
In 2013 the organization donated $81,250. This year, due to more requests for funds, they increased giving by $7,500 over last year.
O'Brien said some nonprofits come from recommendations by board members and bank employees who are involved with charities, while other nonprofits submit requests for funding.
The amounts, recipients and projects for 2015:
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital - $50,000
- Economics Arkansas - $2,500
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas - $5,000
- Arkansas Rice Depot - $10,000
- Sunshine House of Fordyce Inc. - $2,500
- Children’s Protection Center- $10,000
- Mt. Olive Food Pantry - $2,000
- Literacy Action of Central Arkansas - $5,000
- Arkansas Tech University Foundation - $2,500
- Dallas County Medical Center Foundation - $5,000
- Beyond Batten Disease Foundation - $5,000
- Our House - $3,000
- 13th Judicial CASA North - $2,500
Heartland Bank is chartered in Bryant with a corporate headquarters in Little Rock. Heartland Bank had about $250 million in assets as of Sept. 30.