Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > Arkansas PBS Foundaion receives gift to fund endowment for educational projects
Posted 19 Mar 2019
The Arkansas PBS Foundation recently received a gift from the Charles M. & Joan R. Taylor Foundation to establish the Joan R. and Charles M. Taylor II Memorial Endowment Fund.
The purpose of the Joan R. and Charles M. Taylor II Memorial Endowment Fund is to support AETN's ongoing educational work with Arkansas schools, educators, students and families.
"The Charles M. & Joan R. Taylor Foundation has been a wonderful partner to the Arkansas PBS Foundaion for more than 20 years," Arkansas PBS Foundaion Board Chair Dr. S. Lynne Rich said. "This endowment gift will provide additional support for AETN's expanded focus on educational efforts, including AETN's preschool initiative, educator professional development, curriculum support materials, and connecting to the disadvantaged and to parents."
The endowment is made in memory of Charles Minor Taylor II and his wife, Joan Richards Taylor, who were both very active in business and civic affairs during their lifetime, focusing on making Arkansas an exceptional place to live and do business.
Charles Taylor was a prominent Little Rock businessman, working in real estate and insurance and was one of the first 500 Certified Property Managers in the United States. An accomplished aviator serving in the military, he was the recipient of multiple service decorations.
Joan Taylor modeled for Queen Elizabeth's designer and was featured in Harper's Bazaar, Vogue and Draper's Record. She appeared in training films for the Royal Air Force during World War II. She later appeared in movies. Paramount Studios brought her to the United States, but she married Charles Taylor in 1946 and moved with him to his Arkansas home.
The Arkansas PBS Foundaion exists to raise the funds necessary to support AETN's mission of enhancing lives through trusted public television programs and educational services. The Foundation provides Arkansans opportunities to connect with the only statewide public media outlet by becoming a financial donor, corporate or foundation partner, volunteer or by other means of giving. The Arkansas PBS Foundaion builds relationships between AETN, donors and viewers and is committed to being a transparent and accountable steward of private financial support.
The Arkansas PBS is Arkansas's only statewide public media network, which enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers through the distinct channels AETN PBS, AETN Create, AETN PBS KIDS, AETN World and AETN AIRS on SAP. Audiences can also watch on several digital platforms, and members with AETN Passport have extended on-demand access to a rich library of public television programming. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. Additional information is available at aetn.org. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro) and KETZ (El Dorado).