Jones Center Accepts $2M Gift From Tyson Family Foundation

The Tyson Family Foundation of Springdale has donated $2 million to The Jones Center Endowment Fund.

The announcement was made May 20 during a ceremony at The Jones Center in Springdale, with remarks from John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods Inc. of Springdale, The Jones Center CEO Ed Clifford and Susan Barrett, chairwoman of The Jones Trust board of directors.

“The Tyson and Jones families were very close for decades,” Tyson said. “They worked side by side in downtown Springdale for many years to make this community a great place to work and raise families.  Bernice Jones’ magnificent gift of The Jones Center plays a major role in continuing that tradition of strengthening our community.”

The announcement revealed the second gift made public in recent weeks. On May 1, the George family of Springdale pledged $1 million to The Jones Center Endowment Fund.

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.