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
January 5, 2017
Moving beyond our own bricks and mortar to build a bigger audience for the performing arts
December 17, 2016
Arkansas Arts Academy connects the dots between arts and academics
December 5, 2016
Studio blurs lines between art forms and demographics to intensify cultural experiences, regional synergy
November 22, 2016
Building community and pride through performing arts
Local arts organizations came together to discuss how to advance the Northwest Arkansas cultural sector.
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
February 3, 2022
In Northwest Arkansas, Right to Start amplifies the voices of underserved entrepreneurs and helps remove barriers to their success
January 25, 2022
In Northwest Arkansas, Communities Unlimited sets underserved entrepreneurs up for success
October 5, 2021
EforAll brings inclusive entrepreneurship training to Northwest Arkansas’ Hispanic community
September 8, 2020
Access to capital, training and mentorship networks is critical to the success of minority-owned businesses
A startup conceived at the University of Arkansas grows through persistent mentorship and a strong sense of place.
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 23, 2018BENTONVILLE, Ark. – Louise Epstein, an Austin native with a broad entrepreneurial background, has joined the Walton Family Foundation to serve as director of university partnerships. In this new position, Epstein will play a fundamental liaison role between the foundation and partners in higher education – with a strong emphasis on collaborations with the University of Arkansas. She brings a robust set of skills to help the University of Arkansas commercialize its research and become an institute of innovation. Before joining the foundation, Epstein was the managing director of the Innovation Center in the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin.“We’re enthusiastic about the role Louise will play as a thought partner who will shape initiatives that meet shared goals with the University of Arkansas and other universities nationwide,” said Walton Family Foundation Executive Director Kyle Peterson.
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August 20, 2018BENTONVILLE, Ark. – The Walmart Foundation and Walton Family Foundation today announced joint support of TRUE Northwest Arkansas (TRUE), a new three-year community-based initiative to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Benton and Washington counties. The program will foster an environment where all members of the Northwest Arkansas community can thrive and feel included, building on both foundations’ efforts to enhance quality of life in the region.
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June 13, 2018Announces Opening of First 7 Miles of Natural-Surface Trails