Little Rock, AR Nonprofit Executive Jobs & Leadership Guide
Little Rock, Arkansas’s capital, punches above its weight in the nonprofit world: it is the headquarters of globally known organizations, home to a presidential foundation, and anchored by strong statewide philanthropy. This guide maps it: what leadership pays, the major employers, and where to find senior roles.
- Capital and HQ city: Little Rock and central Arkansas
- Average nonprofit ED salary (Little Rock): $104,317, typical range $90,190 to $116,020 (Salary.com)
- Global headquarters: home to internationally known organizations, including Heifer International and the Clinton Foundation
- The sector combines local human services and philanthropy with the headquarters of globally known organizations
The Little Rock Nonprofit Landscape
Little Rock’s nonprofit sector combines local human services and philanthropy with the headquarters of globally known organizations. Use the directory links below to research specific organizations and their 990 data.
What Nonprofit Leadership Pays in Little Rock
Nonprofit Executive Director, Little Rock: average $104,317, typical range $90,190 to $116,020 (Source: Salary.com, Little Rock). Globally headquartered organizations and large institutions pay well above this range; smaller organizations pay below it.
The rows below marked pending should be confirmed against Cause IQ / Form 990 data for comparable Little Rock organizations before you rely on them.
| Role | Little Rock benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Executive Director / CEO | $90,190 to $116,020 (avg $104,317) | Salary.com, Little Rock |
| Chief Operating Officer | Benchmark pending (verify against Cause IQ 990 data) | – |
| Chief Financial Officer | Benchmark pending | – |
| Chief Development / Advancement Officer | Benchmark pending | – |
| Director of Programs | Benchmark pending | – |
| Director of Development | Benchmark pending | – |
| Director of Finance | Benchmark pending | – |
| Human Resources Director | Benchmark pending | – |
| Communications / Marketing Director | Benchmark pending | – |
| Development / Major Gifts Manager | Benchmark pending | – |
| Source: Salary.com, Little Rock. Globally headquartered organizations and large institutions pay well above this range; smaller organizations pay below it. Rows marked pending should be confirmed against Cause IQ / Form 990 data for comparable Little Rock organizations before you rely on them. | ||
Top Nonprofit Employers in Little Rock
A starting list of anchor organizations. Use the directory links below to find specific Little Rock nonprofits and their 990 data.
Globally Headquartered Organizations
Heifer International
Global Development · Little RockThe global anti-hunger and development organization headquartered in Little Rock.
Clinton Foundation
Presidential Foundation · Little RockBased at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock.
Human Services & Philanthropy
Arkansas Community Foundation
Statewide Grantmaker · Arkansas
The statewide grantmaker supporting communities across Arkansas.
Arkansas Foodbank
Food Security · Little Rock
A leading food-security organization serving central and southern Arkansas.
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Arts & Culture · Little Rock
The region’s professional symphony orchestra and a leading arts institution.
Nearby Markets & Search Partners
For a regional view, see the Southeast nonprofit executive jobs guide.
Recruiters and Search Partners for Little Rock Nonprofit Leadership
ExecSearches.com is a nonprofit executive job board, career coaching, and search support platform; post a Little Rock role or browse senior openings. The Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance, the statewide association, offers sector connections, training, and its job board.
Browse Nonprofit Jobs
Browse current openings on ExecSearches.com and the Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance job board.
Key Career Resources for Little Rock Nonprofit Leaders
Directories & Sector Resources
The Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance offers statewide membership, training, and resources. The Arkansas Community Foundation provides statewide grantmaking and sector data. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer offers searchable 990 filings.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average is about $104,317, with a typical range of $90,190 to $116,020 (Salary.com). Globally headquartered organizations and large institutions pay well above that range; smaller organizations pay below it.
Little Rock is the headquarters of Heifer International and home to the Clinton Foundation, alongside the Arkansas Community Foundation, the Arkansas Foodbank, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
A blend of local human services and philanthropy with the headquarters of globally known organizations, giving the capital an outsized nonprofit footprint for its size.
Start with ExecSearches.com for senior nonprofit roles and the Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance, and use ProPublica to research organizations.
