Our Mission:
Engage Arkansas is an Arkansas initiative to inspire and advance civic engagement to help strengthen local communities. As the primary coordinating entity supporting the Governor’s Commission on National Service and Volunteerism, we are responsible for sustaining civic engagement by supporting local civic services, community education, and the promotion of partner program opportunities.
Our Vision:
Our staff advocates for such solutions and purposefully partners with government agencies, municipalities, education systems, and nonprofit or faith-based sectors to help create impact, benefiting communities and families statewide. The Engage Arkansas office is housed within the Division of Higher Education and is staffed to fulfill the role defined by its governor-appointed commission and the governor.
Why is Engage Arkansas important?
A vast array of state public systems and non-governmental programs offer support services to those in need. EngageAR positions itself as a supporting role to help partner and service programs gain greater impact within the communities through volunteerism and national service.
Our staff and commission partner with multiple sectors across Arkansas. These community-based partnerships are fostered through consultative support and events with our staff and commission continuously communicating and promoting engagement opportunities. In addition, Engage Arkansas is the conduit and manager for internship and national service placement offered by the federal AmeriCorps program.
Opportunities to partner with EngageAR or to support an AmeriCorps program are created to engage, serve, and strengthen local communities:
- EDUCATE on civic engagement & volunteerism
- FUND AmeriCorps for greater impact in local communities
- CONNECT for supporting relationships & partnerships
How do I get involved?
Engage Arkansas welcomes the opportunity to learn how we can support and promote your services or program. We work in partnership with nonprofit, faith-based, government, and community-based organizations throughout the state to increase the awareness and engagement of local civic needs. Once registered and partnership eligibility is established, Engage Arkansas will support your communication and outreach efforts through its social media platforms and list serves. Learn more about how you can partner and get involved with Engage Arkansas:
What is the history?
The Office of Volunteerism in Arkansas has seen many changes over the years, but much of its legacy can be traced to one individual, former First Lady Betty Bumpers. All social reform movements can point to pioneers who forged paths where none had previously existed, compelled by a vision beyond themselves. Former First Lady Betty Bumpers served the state in an official capacity from 1971-1975. Learn about Betty Bumpers legacy of service and the efforts she made to garner funding and unite volunteerism:
Engage Arkansas Commission
The Governor’s Advisory Commission on National Service and Volunteerism is a bi-partisan commission made up of passionate individuals who believe that volunteers are vital to creating strong, vibrant communities. Each commissioner is governor-appointed. Together, they assist EngageAR with determining community needs, setting policy and program priorities, ensuring effective use of national service funds, supporting national days of service, and promoting national service and volunteering throughout their communities.
The Arkansas Service Commission-Engage Arkansas is the primary coordinating entity supporting the Governor’s Commission on National Service and Volunteerism.
Engage Arkansas Staff
The Engage Arkansas staff supports local, people-driven solutions by partnering with government agencies, municipalities, education systems, and the nonprofit or faith-based sectors.
Through the AmeriCorps grant program, it secures federal funding to sub-grant to local organizations operating direct service programs. AmeriCorps members provide vital services to assist in key impact areas such as education, economic opportunity, disaster services, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families throughout the state. The Engage Arkansas staff provides professional guidance and technical assistance to its sub-grantees.
Additional efforts are placed on amplifying the missions of nonprofits in Arkansas. Engage Arkansas connects citizens to available resources in their communities through its Give Pulse volunteer portal platform and its Civic Challenge social media campaign.
Engage Arkansas 