The story behind a great community isn’t just growth stats and skyline changes, it’s people who turn care into access. We sit down with UCA alum Corey Huffty, executive director of philanthropy for Arkansas Children’s in Northwest Arkansas, to unpack how strategic giving keeps pediatric care close to home and why everyday donors matter more than ever. Corey shares her journey from scholarship-supported student to fundraising leader, revealing how mentors, sorority service, and early nonprofit roles shaped a framework where philanthropy is less about “asking” and more about aligning values with outcomes.

We explore the $82.7 million expansion at Arkansas Children’s NWA: new inpatient and outpatient capacity, an expanded infusion and hematology/oncology clinic, and a push to recruit 30 providers, designed to reduce long trips to Little Rock and ease financial strain on families. Corey explains how rising costs increase uncompensated care and why thousands of smaller gifts fuel big goals. She also reflects on her time at TheaterSquared, where the arts became a bridge to better health through partnerships like the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine, harnessing theater techniques to improve patient communication and empathy.

Along the way, Corey spotlights the culture that makes Northwest Arkansas special: leaders who treat philanthropy as a civic norm, nonprofits that collaborate, and a networking climate that welcomes newcomers. You’ll hear moving moments from hospital floors, practical leadership lessons, and a clear map for how to get involved: whether you’re an alum, a neighbor, or a first-time donor curious about impact. If you care about pediatric health, arts and community, or building a more connected region, this conversation offers insight and momentum.

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