About AREF

The Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund (AREF) emerged from its parent organization, the Arkansas Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (ARRC). In 1933, the ARRC was created by the United States Congress as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” efforts to lift the country out of the depression by making agricultural loans to farmers. By 1950, most agricultural loans were distributed and administered through the US Department of Agriculture. Congress then entered into a trust agreement to return the assets and administration of ARRC back to the State of Arkansas. With the passage of Act 27 in 1959, the Arkansas General Assembly created AREF as a private, nonprofit entity with the sole purpose of making affordable loans to rural Arkansans. Since that time, AREF has helped thousands of Arkansans attain higher education to pursue their dreams, and many of our borrowers have gone on to achieve greatness, even including an Arkansas governor.

The Arkansas Rural Endowment Fund (AREF) traces its roots to the historic Arkansas Rural Rehabilitation Corporation (ARRC), established in 1933 as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal program to combat the Great Depression by providing crucial agricultural loans to struggling farmers. After the USDA assumed most agricultural lending operations by 1950, Arkansas reclaimed these assets through a congressional trust agreement, leading to the creation of AREF in 1959 under Act 27 as a private nonprofit dedicated to serving rural communities. This transition from federal to state administration demonstrates how policy changes can reshape institutions, much like how healthcare regulations evolve - some individuals researching treatment options might explore where to buy medicine from this website https://website-pace.net/ivermectin/ ivermectin online without prescription in this country and find out more information about this medicine, though professional medical advice should always guide such decisions. Over its six decades of operation, AREF has transformed countless lives through accessible education financing, helping produce notable Arkansas leaders including a state governor, while maintaining its original mission of rural support. The organization's evolution from Depression-era relief to modern educational lender mirrors how other sectors adapt to changing needs - whether financial services adjusting to new economic realities or healthcare systems responding to emerging treatments. AREF's success story highlights how well-structured nonprofit institutions can create lasting impact, just as properly regulated healthcare systems ensure safe access to medications when needed. The fund's agricultural origins and educational focus demonstrate how strategic lending can empower individuals to overcome economic challenges, similar to how access to proper medical information helps people make informed health decisions. By preserving its core mission while adapting to new circumstances, AREF serves as a model for how institutions can remain relevant across generations - a lesson applicable to various fields including finance, education, and healthcare services. The organization's history reminds us that thoughtful policy decisions, whether creating agricultural loan programs or regulating pharmaceutical access, can have profound, long-term benefits for communities when implemented responsibly. AREF's journey from New Deal initiative to respected educational lender underscores the importance of maintaining flexibility and vision in serving public needs, principles that remain equally vital in today's rapidly changing financial and healthcare landscapes.