Presented by the Delta Philanthropy Forum, the Delta Investment Spotlight is a half-hour long, bi-monthly webinar series that brings experts and funders together to highlight the currents of change and areas of opportunity for philanthropic investment in the Mississippi-Arkansas Delta.

In this fireside-style chat, Kim Davis, President of the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, and Sanford Johnson, Mississippi Executive Director of Teach +Plus, discuss leveraging Education for Workforce Development in the Delta.

Presented by the Delta Philanthropy Forum, Delta Investment Spotlight is a bi-monthly webinar series that highlights innovative philanthropic investment happening in the Mississippi-Arkansas Delta.

In this Fireside-style chat, Mr. Derek Lewis II, Chair of the Arkansas Black Philanthropy Collaborative interviews Dr. Lanita Shaverd, Pharm. D, CEO of Community Health Centers of Arkansas on the opportunities and challenges that emerging funding sources present at the intersection of health and workforce development in the Delta.

Rooted in the collaborative work of the Delta Philanthropy Forum, this session brought together leaders who are not only shaping strategy but also actively working together through the Forum to align resources, share learning, and drive coordinated impact in the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta region.

Moderated by Kim Davis, President of the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation.

Featured Speakers:
Sherra Bennett, Equity Officer, The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation
Nadia Villagrán, LISC Vice President and Rural LISC Director
Dr. Rhea Williams-Bishop, Director of Mississippi and New Orleans Programs, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Lloyd Gray, Executive Director, The Phil Hardin Foundation
Dr. Corey Wiggins, Federal Co-Chair, Delta Regional Authority

Our team of philanthropic and intermediary leaders convened in Little Rock, AR to evaluate successes, identify opportunities and develop a strategic approach for investing in the Delta.

At this convening for funders focused on the Southeast, we connected those who are interested in the Delta with funders who are currently collaborating through the Delta Philanthropy Forum (DPF).

Led by the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, Arkansas Chat 'n' Chew gave nonprofit organizations the opportunity to engage directly with philanthropy to share their mission, gain support and inform the role of philanthropy in the region.

In February 2025, the DPF Steering Committee convened in Little Rock for a strategy session to advance their work in the Mississippi-Arkansas Delta. During the session, members discussed new goals for expanding membership and increasing impact across the region in the coming years.

Rural LISC hosted their signature multi-day event for partners and stakeholders. Seminar provided nationally recognized economic development leaders, rural program partners, and community stakeholders the opportunity to gather and share challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends in the field through training and networking. This year, DPF sponsored a Delta Partner & Funder Breakfast.

The Delta Philanthropy Forum Fall 2024 Convening served to unite leaders in the Delta region to spark positive change.

This initiative served as a unique opportunity to connect with funders, financial institutions, and fellow grant seekers in a collaborative and engaging environment.

The Delta Philanthropy Forum (DPF) advanced its three-year plan by implementing measurable projects across key focus areas, including economic mobility, digital access, and education. By pooling investments and strengthening relationships with federal funders, DPF expanded beyond Arkansas and Mississippi, increased membership, and built an endowment of $2-3 million.