George Family Donates $1 Million To Jones Center Endowment Fund

The George Family of Springdale pledged $1 million to The Jones Center Endowment Fund.

The donation was announced May 1 during a ceremony at The Jones Center in Springdale, with remarks from twin brothers Carl George and Charles George — co-CEOs of poultry processing company George’s Inc. of Springdale — The Jones Center CEO Ed Clifford and Archie Schaffer III, a board member of The Jones Trust.

The Jones Trust board is working to reach the full endowment campaign goal of $30 million — which was announced in December 2012 — and plans to have more special gift announcements throughout the year. 

The Jones Center, a privately held organization opened in 1995, is a recreation and education center located in downtown Springdale. The facility and campus are owned and managed by The Jones Trust. 

The endowment campaign began with an announcement of $20 million in contributions from the Walton Family Foundation and Care Foundation, a fund of Endeavor Foundation. These donations served as lead gifts in a $30-million campaign that will benefit the short- and long-term goals to sustain The Jones Trust and The Jones Center.

Once the campaign is complete, $30 million will be added to the existing endowment bringing the total to $60 million.