Opportunity was at the center of a special recognition during this year’s Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH) Annual Meeting and Legislative Conference, where the CARH Scholarship Foundation named one of its 2026 scholarships in honor of Cinnaire CEO Mark McDaniel. The recognition celebrates a career dedicated to expanding access to affordable housing and creating pathways for others to succeed.
The CARH Scholarship Foundation awards scholarships to exceptional students living in CARH member affordable housing communities, helping them pursue higher education and achieve their goals. Cinnaire has long supported the Foundation’s mission, including a $25,000 contribution this year, reflecting our belief that stable housing and education go hand in hand.
This year’s CARH Mark McDaniel Scholarship was awarded to Hayden Nance, a recent high school graduate from Ward, Arkansas, and resident of Ward Manor, an affordable housing community managed by Intervest. Hayden will attend Arkansas State University this fall to study engineering. He attended the conference with his mother, Holly, to celebrate the special occasion and be recognized alongside scholarship recipients from across the country.
“Cinnaire’s generosity is so greatly appreciated,” said Rodney Corley, President of the CARH Scholarship Foundation. “It was especially meaningful to have Mark and Mary McDaniel attend the Scholarship Foundation Award Breakfast. Having Mark personally present the inaugural McDaniel Scholarship made the moment even more special for everyone in attendance, particularly for Hayden. Thank you again for all that Cinnaire does for rural housing and for the residents who live in affordable housing communities throughout the country.”
In his scholarship application, Hayden reflected on the impact affordable housing has had on his life and the opportunities it created for him and his mother. He shared how the stability of having a home allowed him to focus on school, pursue his goals, and prepare for college. His story is a powerful reminder that affordable housing provides more than shelter – it creates a foundation for opportunity.
Hayden’s teachers describe him as kind, helpful, exceptionally bright, and a natural leader. They praise his strong work ethic, deep sense of responsibility, and genuine passion for helping others. After meeting Hayden and his mother, our team couldn’t agree more.
“You couldn’t have picked a better recipient,” said McDaniel. “Holly is a lioness – a fierce advocate for her son – and Hayden is one of the kindest, smartest young men you’ll ever meet. Seeing the future he has ahead of him reminds you why affordable housing matters. The opportunities available to Hayden today began with the stability affordable housing provided. That’s what our industry does. We create opportunity.”
Hayden expressed heartfelt gratitude during the ceremony, thanking his mother and the many people who have encouraged and invested in his future. He gave a special shoutout to our CEO, “Mr. Mark”, for believing in him. Hayden also recognized the Intervest team and CARH for their support, noting that opportunities like this are made possible by people willing to invest in students and their futures.
Congratulations to Hayden and all of this year’s scholarship recipients. As Hayden begins his studies at Arkansas State University, we celebrate this well-deserved achievement and the opportunities ahead. Cinnaire is honored to support the CARH Scholarship Foundation and students like Hayden, whose stories demonstrate that investing in affordable housing is also an investment in education, opportunity, and future generations of leaders.