Ep. 5 - Back to Give Back: From UCA to Arkansas Children’s

A single thank-you call can change a career. That’s where Corey Hufty first felt the spark that would guide her from UCA grad to executive director of philanthropy for Arkansas Children’s in Northwest Arkansas, translating generosity into real outcomes for kids and families.We walk through Corey’s path with open notes: the professors who widened her world, the sorority project that introduced her to service, and the hospice mentor who taught her that fundraising is about facilitating impact, not asking for cash. From there, we delve into lessons learned at TheatreSquared during a once-in-a-century disruption, exploring how the arts reduce loneliness, build community, and even enhance bedside communication through a partnership with the Alice Walton School of Medicine. It’s a clear thread in NWA: when arts, healthcare, and business collaborate, solutions scale.Then we turn to the work at hand. Arkansas Children’s is expanding in Northwest Arkansas with new inpatient and outpatient capacity, an enhanced infusion and hematology-oncology clinic, and the recruitment of 30 providers, bringing specialty care closer to home so families don’t have to shoulder long drives and extra costs. Corey makes the case that every $20 gift matters in an $82.7M campaign, especially as uncompensated care rises. Philanthropy fills critical gaps, keeps care accessible, and turns community values into measurable outcomes.We also talk about the culture that makes this region special: leaders who model giving, volunteers who run like pros, and a networking climate where a simple hello can change your trajectory. Corey shares practical advice for young professionals and UCA alumni on building cross-industry connections that lead to real partnerships, and why NWA’s welcoming energy makes it easier to start.If you care about children’s health, the power of the arts, or how communities rally to build what’s next, you’ll find plenty to take back to your team. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who loves NWA, and leave a review to help more listeners discover the stories shaping our region.