The HARRIS SHEARD Foundation
The Harris Sheard Foundation™ is a nonprofit organization committed to transforming lives by creating opportunities where they are needed most. While athletics serves as one of our most visible engagement platforms, our mission extends far beyond sports. We believe every community possesses untapped potential, and through education, workforce development, mentorship, leadership training, and strategic community investment, we help individuals and neighborhoods realize that potential.
The Foundation operates as a non-athletic authority, using recreation, education, and civic engagement as tools to inspire lasting change rather than as ends in themselves. Our programs are designed to develop character, improve life skills, create employment opportunities, strengthen families, and encourage responsible citizenship. Whether through workforce readiness initiatives, financial literacy workshops, mentoring relationships, youth leadership academies, or community revitalization projects, the Harris Sheard Foundation is dedicated to building stronger people who, in turn, build stronger communities.
A cornerstone of our work is creating meaningful employment and leadership opportunities for middle school, high school, and college students. Young people gain hands-on experience in management, media production, event operations, communications, technology, statistics, customer service, marketing, and nonprofit administration while developing the professionalism and confidence necessary for future careers. By exposing participants to real-world responsibilities in a supportive environment, we cultivate the next generation of business leaders, entrepreneurs, educators, public servants, and community advocates.
The Foundation also partners with municipalities, schools, parks and recreation departments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and civic leaders to develop sustainable programs that generate measurable community impact. Through these partnerships, we promote economic development, encourage volunteerism, support local facilities, and create initiatives that improve quality of life while fostering pride within the communities we serve.
Our philosophy is simple: people are the greatest investment any community can make. Every initiative is designed to educate minds, empower individuals, mentor future leaders, strengthen neighborhoods, and create opportunities that extend far beyond a single event or program. Success is measured not only by participation, but by lives changed, careers launched, families strengthened, and communities transformed.
At the Harris Sheard Foundation™, we believe leadership is cultivated, opportunity can be created, and every person deserves a pathway to reach their highest potential. Together with our partners and supporters, we are building a future where education, service, innovation, and community engagement become the foundation for generational success.
Our Areas of Impact
Leadership Development
Youth Mentoring
Workforce Readiness
Job Creation & Career Development
Education & Academic Support
Financial Literacy
Entrepreneurship
Community Engagement
Recreation & Wellness Initiatives
Economic Development
Civic Leadership
Violence Prevention & Behavior Intervention
Volunteerism & Community Service
Family & Neighborhood Empowerment
Our Vision
To become one of North America's leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening communities, and creating sustainable opportunities that inspire generations to lead, serve, and succeed.
Our Mission
To develop people, strengthen communities, and create lasting opportunities through education, leadership, workforce development, mentorship, and innovative community partnerships that transform lives and build enduring legacies.
Our Motto
"Investing in People. Strengthening Communities. Building Legacies."
Whether You Think You Can Or You Can't - You Are Right!
Whether You Think You Can Or You Can't - You Are Right!
HARRIS SHEARD FOUNDATION, INC.
Signature Scholarship Program
Overview
The Harris Sheard Foundation, Inc. Signature Scholarship Program recognizes outstanding young leaders whose talents, character, and commitment to their communities exemplify the Foundation's mission of developing people, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities.
The Foundation will award two annual cash scholarships to graduating seniors from Little Rock Central High School. Scholarship funds are awarded directly to the recipient without restrictions on how the funds are used.
Michael Wayne Sheard Creative Arts Award
Purpose
The Michael Wayne Sheard Creative Arts Award honors the life, imagination, and artistic spirit of Michael Wayne Sheard.
This scholarship recognizes a graduating senior whose creativity, originality, and artistic expression demonstrate exceptional promise and a commitment to enriching the lives of others through the arts.
The Foundation believes that creativity has the power to inspire, educate, heal, and strengthen communities.
Annual Award
One recipient each year
Cash scholarship (amount determined annually by the Foundation's Board of Directors)
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be a graduating senior at Little Rock Central High School.
Be in good academic standing and on track to graduate.
Demonstrate achievement or sustained involvement in one or more creative disciplines, including:
Visual Arts
Graphic Design
Painting
Drawing
Sculpture
Photography
Digital Media
Film
Music
Dance
Theatre
Creative Writing
Fashion Design
Architecture
Multimedia Arts
Submit a completed scholarship application by the published deadline.
Application Requirements
Applicants shall submit:
Completed application.
Personal essay (750–1,000 words) describing how creativity has influenced their life and future aspirations.
Portfolio or samples of artistic work (appropriate to the applicant's discipline).
One letter of recommendation from an educator, mentor, or arts professional.
Current high school transcript.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated on:
Artistic achievement (35%)
Creativity and originality (25%)
Personal character and integrity (15%)
Leadership and involvement (15%)
Quality of essay and overall application (10%)
Recipient Expectations
Recipients are encouraged, though not required, to remain connected with the Foundation by participating in future Foundation events and serving as ambassadors for creativity and leadership within their communities.
Cynthia D. Harris Philanthropy Award
Purpose
The Cynthia D. Harris Philanthropy Award honors the compassion, generosity, and servant leadership demonstrated by Cynthia D. Harris.
This scholarship recognizes a graduating senior who has made meaningful contributions to their school or community through volunteerism, charitable service, mentoring, advocacy, or philanthropic leadership.
The Foundation believes that lasting community change begins with individuals who choose to serve others.
Annual Award
One recipient each year
Cash scholarship (amount determined annually by the Foundation's Board of Directors)
Eligibility
Applicants must:
Be a graduating senior at Little Rock Central High School.
Be in good academic standing and on track to graduate.
Demonstrate a consistent record of community service or philanthropic leadership.
Submit a completed scholarship application by the published deadline.
Qualifying Activities
Examples include:
Volunteer service
Community improvement projects
Food or clothing drives
Mentoring younger students
Church or faith-based outreach
Youth leadership organizations
Nonprofit service
Environmental initiatives
Civic engagement
Advocacy for underserved populations
Application Requirements
Applicants shall submit:
Completed application.
Personal essay (750–1,000 words) explaining their commitment to serving others and how they plan to continue making a positive impact.
Resume of volunteer and community service activities.
Verification of community service hours, if available.
One letter of recommendation from a community leader, teacher, nonprofit leader, clergy member, or volunteer supervisor.
Current high school transcript.
Selection Criteria
Applications will be evaluated on:
Community impact (35%)
Demonstrated leadership (25%)
Commitment to service (20%)
Personal character and integrity (10%)
Quality of essay and overall application (10%)
Recipient Expectations
Recipients are encouraged to continue serving their communities and to represent the values of compassion, generosity, and civic leadership embodied by Cynthia D. Harris.
Scholarship Administration
The Harris Sheard Foundation Scholarship Committee shall administer both awards.
The Committee will:
Publish annual application deadlines.
Review all applications using a standardized scoring rubric.
Conduct interviews if desired.
Recommend recipients to the Board of Directors for final approval.
Notify recipients prior to graduation whenever practical.
Committee members shall disclose any conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from reviewing applications involving relatives, close personal relationships, or other conflicts.
Scholarship Presentation
Scholarships may be presented during:
Little Rock Central High School Senior Awards Program
Harris Sheard Foundation Annual Awards Reception
Foundation Community Leadership Gala
Another ceremony approved by the Foundation and the school
Recipients will receive:
A cash scholarship.
An engraved certificate of achievement.
Recognition by the Harris Sheard Foundation, unless the recipient requests otherwise.
Legacy Statement
The Michael Wayne Sheard Creative Arts Award and the Cynthia D. Harris Philanthropy Award are intended to honor two lives whose influence extends beyond their families and into future generations of leaders.
Through these scholarships, the Harris Sheard Foundation celebrates creativity, compassion, and service while investing in young people whose talents and character will continue to strengthen their communities for years to come.