Huckabee Sanders launched 30-day nonprofit for Arkansas businesses

On May 18, Sarah Huckabee Sanders and her husband, Bryan Sanders, launched a month-long nonprofit program to help struggling state businesses during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Arkansas 30 Day Fund was started to provide forgivable loans for Arkansas-based small businesses so they can meet payroll, preserve healthcare coverage for employees, and save jobs without a lot of red tape, while waiting on federal and state funding.

Qualifying businesses are owned and operated by an Arkansas resident, based in the state and have been operating at lease one year, and employ three to 30 people.

Sen. John Boozeman acts as the honorary chair of the nonprofit group. To date, over $172,000 in loans have been awarded to 59 entities.

The fund’s partners include Stephens Inc. Chairman and CEO Warren Stephens; J.B. Hunt Transport Services co-founder Johnelle Hunt; former U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins; and Skip Rutherford, dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

Beneficiaries run the gamut from restaurants and retailers to plumbers and preschool providers.

The maximum amount per recipient is $3,000. Most have requested and received the full amount.