The foundation's Home Region strategy reflects our commitment to strengthening communities so more people can learn, earn and thrive close to home.

Economic mobility, workforce readiness and regional collaboration anchor the approach

The Delta region of Arkansas and Mississippi holds enormous potential, but has experienced generations of underinvestment and systemic barriers to opportunity. Through 2030, the Walton Family Foundation's Home Region Program will invest in initiatives that ensure all students have access to a high-quality education, help residents build assets and economic mobility and strengthen the capacity of local leaders and community-driven solutions.

What does it take to build a region where growth strengthens communities and opportunity reaches everyone? Across our Home Region, we know that opportunities grow when people learn, earn and thrive together in the communities they call home. We invite you to learn more about Strategy 2030, our ongoing commitment to Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.

At the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County, Tavante Calhoun is helping young people unlock opportunity—and shape a stronger future for the region

Storytelling ambassadors from the Mississippi Delta are taking control of their narrative, honoring overlooked histories and building economic opportunity

"Everyone needs an education. Everybody has to have knowledge - and literacy is the foundation for everything," says Taurean Morton, state director for Reading Roadmap in Mississippi. The organization provides reading interventions for students in kindergarten through second grade, helping at-risk students in the Mississippi Delta region become fluent readers.

"No one knows a classroom better than someone who is in a classroom all day," says Sanford Johnson, executive director of Teach Plus in Mississippi. Teach Plus works to empower teachers to influence decisions that are going to improve the quality of education for students in the Mississippi Delta.

The foundation’s “Theory of Change” for the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta is designed as a resource for grantees and other partners

One local leader from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, is revitalizing neighborhoods and setting low-income neighbors on the path to home ownership.

Matt Mosler founded Home Again Pine Bluff several years ago to begin revitalizing the city of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, block by block. The nonprofit organization renovates homes and rents them at below-market value. It’s also setting residents on the path to home ownership. After three to five years, tenants can purchase the property for half the appraised value.

Drew Smith is in the business of creating joy. Through his Helena, Arkansas-based nonprofit Delta Magic, Drew is connecting the dots between what people want and how to find it. The organization is playing a vital role in building the social infrastructure in the community.

How Pam Chatman's innovative bus service is helping her neighbors in the Delta reach economic security

An innovative bus service transports FedEx workers from small rural communities to and from their jobs. Pam Chatman’s idea has helped improve lives in the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta by opening new employment opportunities for the region’s resident.

Through financial literacy and friendship, Delta Circles is improving the lives of Black women in the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta

Through Delta Circles, Patricia Ashanti is helping Black women in the region build financial stability and independence. But the Helena, Arkansas-based nonprofit is also doing much more. It’s become a place of fellowship and friendship, where Black women build connection and confidence in the future.