Utility Assistance Fund Raises $315,000 in Arkansas
The record-breaking golf tournament adds funding for energy bill assistance programs used by vulnerable local residents.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Should utility companies directly manage financial assistance programs for customers in their service area?
The 2026 Power to Care Golf Tournament raised $315,000 to support utility bill assistance for vulnerable residents across Arkansas. These funds bolster a program managed by Entergy Arkansas that helps customers facing financial hardship pay their energy costs.
Why it matters
For small business operators, community programs like Power to Care provide a critical safety net for customers struggling with utility expenses. The program relies on shareholder matches and community fundraising to assist residents who are older or living with disabilities.
The 2026 tournament raised $315,000 in cash plus $25,000 in in-kind support, an increase of $125,000 over the 2025 event. Last year, the program raised $672,553 and served 2,337 customers across the utilitys 63-county service territory.
The players
Entergy Arkansas
An electric utility company serving approximately 738,000 customers across 63 Arkansas counties.
The details
The Power to Care program coordinates with local nonprofits to distribute emergency bill payment assistance to residents, including those who are elderly or have disabilities. Funds are generated through events like the 54-team tournament, which involved 48 sponsors and 70 volunteers, and are subsequently augmented by matching contributions from corporate shareholders.
Timeline
2025: The program raised $672,553 and assisted 2,337 customers.
2026: The tournament raised $465,618 in total program funds, excluding matching contributions.
Market Landscape
Power to Care functions as a private, utility-managed supplement to public initiatives like the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. It follows a common corporate model for utilities to mitigate customer delinquency through direct charitable partnerships rather than relying solely on state subsidies.
Business owners should monitor these local assistance programs as they impact the credit health of the consumer base. Maintaining awareness of current utility payment assistance cycles can help operators better support employees or clients facing financial volatility.
The takeaway
Successful fundraising events can significantly offset the volume of accounts requiring delinquency intervention. Operators should review their regional utility's partnership programs to ensure they can provide relevant resources to customers experiencing financial distress.
Further reading
For more background on regional community initiatives, visit the Philanthropy section.
More information
For more information on program eligibility, visit the utility bill assistance information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Stuttgart Daily Leader.
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Should utility companies directly manage financial assistance programs for customers in their service area?
