A Community to Call Home
Learn more about why Northwest Arkansas is one of the top places to live in the country
Northwest Arkansas
The cities and towns of Northwest Arkansas are connected by a shared history, culture and geography – and community-minded residents who are working to improve the quality of life for all. At the Walton Family Foundation, we’re proud to support those committed to building a region with great schools, vibrant downtowns and thriving arts and culture, access to trails and nature and a flourishing entrepreneurial spirit.
What is the essence of a thriving community – a place you’d want to call home? At the Walton Family Foundation, we believe it starts with people working alongside their neighbors to improve quality of life for all. Across Northwest Arkansas and in the Delta region of Arkansas and Mississippi, we’re proud to support those committed to building towns and cities with great schools, vibrant downtowns, thriving arts and culture, access to trails and nature and a flourishing entrepreneurial spirit.
Arts & Culture
Learn more about the art, artists and musicians that bring vibrancy to the region
September 13, 2018
The Scott Family Amazeum offers kids and grown-ups a look behind the curtain at the springs, levers and gears of the creative process
August 15, 2018
Bryan and Bernice Hembree have built a summer showcase celebrating musical, culinary creativity
July 19, 2018
The Scott Family Amazeum unites a region around the wonder of science, education and the arts.
July 10, 2018
The Latinx Theatre Project reaches an underserved audience - the region’s growing immigrant community
In Northwest Arkansas, a traveling studio expands access to art
Sense of Place
March 5, 2020
In my job, I am inspired by the resolve of residents to make Northwest Arkansas the most welcoming place to live.
January 7, 2020
As the region grapples with how to build safer, accessible cycling infrastructure, the Dutch provide a blueprint for success.
June 25, 2019
In bike-friendly Arkansas, a major new trail project sets its sights on a natural but untapped resource—state parks
May 6, 2019
In Springdale, Arkansas, a local community center decided to ‘go big’ on construction of a new bike park
The Helen R. Walton Children’s Enrichment Center is a model of healthy design
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
January 22, 2020
In Northwest Arkansas, entrepreneur Edwin Ortiz leverages a host of local resources to bring his startup dreams to life.
November 5, 2019
I feel lucky to work with people brimming with tremendous ideas to help the region prosper.
October 30, 2019
In Northwest Arkansas, Startup Crawl celebrates a community bubbling with innovative talent.
April 30, 2019
Annual event teaches kids how to mix business with summer fun
At Northwest Arkansas business event, budding entrepreneurs pitch ideas, build companies
Education
May 21, 2025
Meet the young entrepreneurs of Bentonville Schools' Ignite Startup Lab
February 24, 2025
A new kind of data collection is helping nonprofits like SOAR Afterschool better serve a diverse student population
January 7, 2020
Because the region’s future belongs to its children, we’re supporting innovators, school leaders and teachers who are creating vibrant and dynamic educational options that meet the individual needs of students.
December 17, 2024
How a dietary limitation inspired one Northwest Arkansas baker to feed her community
The H.I.R.E.D. program pairs students with career coaches to identify their passions and skills – then opens opportunities for them to pursue their goals
By the Numbers
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September 12, 2019View flashcards from the latest Quality of Life survey -
March 29, 2018Learn how cycling and trails impact the quality of life. -
February 7, 2018Examining the challenges and opportunities of the region
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Press Releases
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August 13, 2025Highlights promising trends for young firms, outpacing national averages -
January 29, 2025More than 100 architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and planning firms now shaping the future of public spaces in Northwest Arkansas -
December 16, 2024Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission and Bentonville Public Schools awarded planning grants to advance regional connectivity and educational excellence