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
May 11, 2017
Outdoor concert series is a highlight of region’s annual Artosphere Festival
February 24, 2017
Listening and learning that leads to diverse attractions
February 21, 2017
Exploring the sights and sounds of the U.S.-Mexico frontier
January 31, 2017
New contemporary arts venue planned for downtown Bentonville
Latinx Youth Theatre Project explores themes of acceptance, understanding in debut play
Sense of Place
September 25, 2023
By listening to the people and communities of Northwest Arkansas, we can find solutions that improve regional affordability
December 1, 2020
A new guide provides the tools to create Design Excellence projects that live up to the program’s name
January 3, 2020
Parks and green space, an expanding system of trails, innovative design and thriving downtowns are key ingredients that help define Northwest Arkansas’ unique sense of place.
September 3, 2020
Over two decades, a cycling organization has helped develop a bike-friendly culture in Northwest Arkansas
Mountain bike coach Kim Seay gives back by teaching youth the fun and thrills of cycling
Entrepreneurship & Innovation
July 23, 2025
A small business accelerator is helping former servicemembers unlock new opportunities
January 29, 2020
Entrepreneurs create jobs, foster innovation and build vibrant communities. But to tap into these transformative benefits, the path to success must be accessible to everyone.
May 21, 2025
Meet the young entrepreneurs of Bentonville Schools' Ignite Startup Lab
December 29, 2023
Home Region Program Director Robert Burns sits in conversation with a local leader helping underserved entrepreneurs grow great ideas
How the Walton Family Foundation supports and advances entrepreneurship in the region
Education
February 24, 2025
A new kind of data collection is helping nonprofits like SOAR Afterschool better serve a diverse student population
December 17, 2024
How a dietary limitation inspired one Northwest Arkansas baker to feed her community
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.
September 27, 2023
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
For children experiencing trauma, Bentonville’s Hope Academy offers an innovative school model for learning – and healing
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