Arkansas Community Foundation establishes Fordyce Survivors Fund

The Arkansas Community Foundation (ARCF) has established the Fordyce Survivors Fund in response to the mass shooting event on June 21 in Fordyce, Arkansas.

100% of donations to the fund will provide financial support for survivors of the shooting.

A lone gunman killed four and injured 12 when he opened fire in a Fordyce Mad Butcher grocery store. The suspect, Travis Eugene Posey, 44, pleaded not guilty to four counts of capital murder and 10 counts of attempted capital murder.

“Like so many, we are shocked and saddened by this terrible tragedy. A shooting isn’t something you want to plan for,” said Heather Larkin, president and CEO of Arkansas Community Foundation. “But we have gained experience in helping rebuild communities following other disasters over the years, and we work with partners that have vast experience in mass shootings. The death of four Arkansans and the recovery needs of the survivors gives us an unfortunate reason to put some of the lessons we’ve learned to use.”

More information can be found by visiting this website.

“We are heartbroken at this senseless violence, right here at home,” said State Sen. Matt Stone, R-El Dorado, who represents Fordyce. “None of us ever imagined we would have to respond in the aftermath of a shooting in a peaceful town like Fordyce. But we’re determined to rally around this community to help it recover and heal. Working with the Community Foundation is an important step in that recovery.”

Donations may be made to victims and survivors online or by mail to:

Arkansas Community Foundation
ATTN: Fordyce Survivors Fund
5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110
Little Rock, AR 72202

Contributions to the Fordyce Survivors Fund will be distributed with guidance from the Community Foundation and a community-led steering committee of Fordyce residents and local leadership.

The Community Foundation will be partnering with Victim’s First, a volunteer-led nonprofit helping with immediate needs, along with the Mass Violence Survivor’s Fund led by Jeff Dion, both national entities with experience serving communities following more than 50 mass shootings nationwide. The Community Foundation and these two organizations will ensure that the funds are managed in a way that is transparent, victim-centered and trauma informed.

The Foundation’s normal administrative fees will be waived and 100% of the donations will go to support victims.

A credit card company fee of approximately 3% will be applied to donations made by credit card.