Positively impacting the world by serving others

Guided by our three Philanthropy Pillars — Community, Education and People — ArcBest is dedicated to fostering stronger, healthier communities, empowering local education and supporting underserved groups. In 2024, our initiatives have helped enrich the lives of those around us and have reinforced the power of collective action. Our people are making a positive impact and together, we’re working toward a brighter future.

Community

Our communities are where we raise our families, work and enjoy life, and we consider it essential to nurture and sustain them for future generations.

United Way of Fort Smith Area

For the 28th year, we served as a Pacesetter company for the United Way of Fort Smith Area®, supporting its programs and community partners. In 2024 we raised money through our annual giving campaign, which includes employee pledges and a 100% company match and our annual ArcBest Family Day and 5K.  

Over 150 ArcBest employees also participated in the 31st annual United Way of Fort Smith Area’s Day of Caring. Working with organizations across the River Valley, we helped complete more than 120 service projects, which had a total community impact of $121,000.

Group of ArcBest employees on Day of Caring

Other community giving initiatives this year:  

  • In support of hurricane relief in Florida, we partnered with Diversified Foods Inc., donating transportation to move a truckload of shelf-stable milk from Salt Lake City, Utah, to Hudson, Florida. 

  • For the second consecutive year, we served as a presenting sponsor for the True Grit Bike Ride and 5K. This year, ArcBest helped provide meals to 2,200 children and several employees participated in the 5K or biked 30, 45 or 62 miles through rural Arkansas. 

  • Employees on our Customer Solutions team volunteered with the River Valley Regional Food Bank in several counties, sorting donations and handing out food boxes to over 200 community members in need.  

ArcBest Customer Solutions Team volunteering 
ArcBest Customer Solutions Team serving at food bank 
  • ArcBest partnered with Almost Home Shelter and Rescue to introduce our people to pups in need of homes through a meet-and-greet event and a monthly email that notified employees of dogs available to foster or adopt. ArcBest covered the adoption fee for pets adopted through this partnership. Douglas found his forever home with Carol Sikes, ArcBest planning coordinator II, and we’re excited to see more connections like this one! 
Carol Sikes and dog, Douglas, playing in the backyard

Education

We invest in education to grow our people and enhance local learning that sparks innovation and drives success.  

Employee Dependent Scholarship 

In May, we announced our inaugural ArcBest Employee Dependent Scholarship, awarding $2,000 per academic year to 10 students pursuing higher education. Each dependent was selected based on their academic record, leadership and participation in school and community activities, statement of educational and career goals, and financial need.  

Other educational support:   

  • During the 2024-2025 school year, ArcBest continued its Partners in Education Programs at several Fort Smith, Arkansas, public schools, connecting employees with students through mentorship programs.   

  • Joe Busch, ABF Freight driver and Road Team member, participated in the Trucker Buddy program. As a Trucker Buddy, he partnered with a local elementary class, communicating with the students through their teacher to help them learn about the trucking industry and encourage them to excel in life.  

  • In July, ABF Freight drivers Loren Hatfield and Dave Hall led a hands-on learning experience at a Touch a Truck Event in Van Buren, Arkansas. They taught families about safety and encouraged children to explore ABF trucks and ask questions about being a professional driver. 

ABF drivers at Touch A Truck event
  • ArcBest Technologies hosted six “ABTech School Days” events, inspiring local students to pursue careers in STEM. Over the course of the year, over 100 students had the opportunity to learn directly from our people about careers in Information Services, Data Science and Infrastructure, Operations and Security, and Research and Development.

People 

ArcBest is committed to helping organizations that provide access to essential resources and services for underserved and underfunded groups.

Make-A-Wish 

Throughout 2024, the 2023 Leadership Academy class raised money for Make-A-Wish, an organization that grants life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses. Through various fundraising efforts, the class raised $50,000 and is helping grant a wish to five children in five states (Arkansas, Texas, Missouri, Illinois and Ohio).  

Group of ArcBest Leader Academy employees raising money for Make-A-Wish 
Make-A-Wish stars displayed on window

Other people-focused initiatives this year: 

  • Nine ABF Freight drivers participated in the 2024 Safety Drive for a Cure, helping raise more than $46,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. This was the 10th year ABF sponsored and provided equipment for the event. 

  • Several ABF drivers from our Little Rock, Arkansas, service center participated in the 2024 Truck Convoy for Special Olympics Arkansas. The event included 123 trucks from 11 companies and raised nearly $40,000 for Special Olympics Arkansas.  

  • For the 16th year, our people volunteered with Operation Christmas Child to help process donations and prepare shoeboxes for shipment overseas. ArcBest employees worked in processing centers in Dallas, Texas; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Atlanta, Georgia.