Forty Under 40: Brooke Allen

Brooke Allen’s nonprofit career started at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas after working as a pre-K teacher for three years.

“I felt like I wasn’t making a difference,” she said. “I loved working with kids. I loved being connected with families. But I felt like I wasn’t giving back how I wanted to.”

In 2015, she joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas. She advanced through roles, including outreach and communications coordinator, community engagement manager and director of development. She helped the organization navigate the COVID-19 pandemic by transforming events into virtual ones and communicating the organization’s mission.

She also served as interim development director at the Boys and Girls Club of Benton County. There, she helped oversee the organization’s largest fundraiser and established community partnerships.

“I loved my time at Big Brothers Big Sisters,” she said. “I always say the impact was deep. It wasn’t always wide. I wanted to stay true to my roots — supporting children and families, which is what the Jones Center does. They are such a staple in our community. The programming here is second to none. I think it’s one of the most diverse places in Northwest Arkansas. We serve everybody. That was fascinating to me.”

She joined the Jones Center about three months ago. She’s helped to increase volunteerism to record levels, exceeded fundraising goals and created partnerships. Her efforts have been important to the Jones Center as it reimagines its 55-acre campus and provides an enhanced level of service to the area.

Allen previously directed the Northwest Arkansas Lemonade Day, worked with more than 50 teachers, community partners and officials, and led a program that provides 1,300 schoolchildren with life skills, character education and entrepreneurship experience.