SPRINGDALE — The Jones Center's facilities and programs are now more sustainable due to a recent donation, the center's chief said.
Officials announced the donation from Johnelle Hunt in the center's lobby Thursday morning. The donation closes the center's fundraising campaign for its endowment, said Ed Clifford, chief executive officer of the center and Jones Trust.
Clifford said he wouldn't disclose the amount of the donation, because Hunt doesn't want it to be known. He did say, however, that "it was significant."
The goal to raise $30 million for the endowment was created two years ago, Clifford said. The endowment now contains over $50 million.
The endowment creates interest each year, which is used to operate the center, Clifford said. $1.6 million of the center's annual operational budget comes from the endowment's interest, $1 million comes from leases and fees and $1 million comes from event fundraisers managed by a development council.
Reaching this goal means the center is sustainable and will be open for a long time, Clifford said.
"We look forward to lots of great years in this facility," he said.