Our Mission

Kids’ Chance of Arkansas was incorporated in 2001 with the mission of providing scholarships to the dependents of deceased and permanently totally disabled workers with compensable Arkansas workers’ compensation claims.
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About Kids’ Chance of Arkansas

Through 2025, the Kids’ Chance of Arkansas scholarship program has awarded 532 scholarships totaling $1,162,625.

Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the generosity of corporate and individual donors, as well as fundraising events like the Kids’ Chance of Arkansas Charity Golf Tournament. In addition, Act 1757 of 2001 granted the Workers’ Compensation Commission the authority to donate any excess funds from the Commission’s annual educational conference to Kids’ Chance of Arkansas.

Although the Workers’ Compensation Commission assists Kids’ Chance of Arkansas in identifying and providing information about the scholarship fund to eligible dependents, Kids’ Chance of Arkansas is an entirely separate entity, complete with its own board of directors, corporate structure, and by-laws.

Community and Support

Kids’ Chance brings together employers, insurers, employee groups, and others involved in workers’ compensation matters to provide educational assistance for qualifying dependent children.

Your support of the Kids’ Chance of Arkansas educational scholarship program helps provide an opportunity for college-age children to pursue their educational goals and fulfill their dreams for the future.

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Scholarship Application and Eligibility

The revised scholarship application will be available by January 15th of each year, and the deadline for submitting a completed application package is May 15th. All supporting documentation must be received no later than this date. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered for a scholarship award.

Applicants must be between 16 and 25 years of age to enter the program. The death or injury of the parent must have resulted in a decrease in family earnings, creating an impediment to the applicant’s education. Applicants must also demonstrate good academic achievement and aptitude. Scholarships may be used to attend accredited vocational/technical schools, colleges, or universities.

Scholarship recipients will be notified by July 1st, and checks are presented at the annual Kids’ Chance of Arkansas Scholarship Awards Ceremony and reception at the Governor’s Mansion in July. Recipients unable to attend will receive their scholarship awards by mail.

Ode to Chance

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After 24 years of our logo serving us so well, we are thrilled to unveil our updated logo. But we want to pause and honor this logo and its very special stick-figure mascot who was lovingly named “Chance.” He’s been a symbol of our organization’s heart and mission for an incredible 24 years and has seen us through the milestone of giving away over $1 million in scholarships to students pursuing higher education.

Before we can look forward, we must look back with deep gratitude and thank the people behind Chance—former board members and leaders who laid the foundation for our mission. You helped build more than an organization; you built a lifeline.

For nearly a quarter-century, you stood for hope, opportunity, and brighter futures for the children of injured or fallen workers. You helped us show Arkansas—and beyond—what Kids’ Chance is all about.

Through community events, scholarships, and countless smiles, you carried the spirit of compassion and possibility. But as all things grow and evolve, so too must we.

Today, with pride and deep respect, we embrace a new logo and branding—one that unites us with Kids’ Chance of America and helps carry our mission even further. While we look ahead with excitement, we carry Chance’s legacy with us always.

Chance, thank you for every moment, every hug, every high-five you inspired. Your impact will never be forgotten—and your spirit will forever be part of the Kids’ Chance of Arkansas story.

Here’s to new beginnings—and to the foundation you helped build.