The Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation heavily prioritizes postsecondary education and workforce development in Arkansas, directing very large, repeat gifts to state universities, regional colleges, and faith-affiliated private institutions. Grants frequently fund scholarship programs (including international scholarships), campus facilities and program support (internships, radio/public media), and local community foundation operations, reflecting a strong place-based focus on expanding access to higher education and job-ready training in Northwest Arkansas and the state at large.
A single grant set the scale for Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation Inc’s recent work: $75,055,000 to the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc in 2024 for Research and Commercialization - Phase II, Establishment of I3R and Build Research Building. That commitment sits alongside another $34,340,000 award in 2025 for the same effort, showing sustained support for research infrastructure in Arkansas. The foundation’s giving also reaches into workforce preparation, with $6,500,000 to John Brown University to accelerate the development of its cybersecurity program and $4,421,350 to Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation Inc for a sustainable trails trade school. Much of its portfolio centers on higher education and job pathways, especially through major institutions and regional colleges in the state. Scholarship support is another recurring thread, including large awards tied to the Walton International Scholarship Program at faith-affiliated Arkansas institutions. The pattern points to an Arkansas-focused funder using large, repeat grants to strengthen campus capacity, student access, and local talent pipelines.
Research and innovation receive some of the foundation’s largest awards. The University of Arkansas Foundation Inc was given $1,068,236 in 2025 to fund key positions in the Technology Ventures Office, the Office of Economic Development, and the Office of Research and Innovation, and to attract five star scientists. Workforce development appears in technical training and cybersecurity: John Brown University received $6,500,000 in 2025 to accelerate its cybersecurity program, and Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation Inc received $4,421,350 in 2025 to support the launch of a sustainable trails trade school. Scholarship support is another major lane. Arkansas Community Foundation Inc received $3,059,646 in 2025 for the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas, showing direct aid to students and families. The foundation also funds internships and career readiness, including $365,568 to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for internship opportunities for rising sophomores and juniors.
Typical grant size is large: p25 is $226,130, median is $926,000, and p75 is $1,769,239. The recent record shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, especially the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc, John Brown University, Harding University, University of the Ozarks, and Arkansas Community Foundation Inc. That suggests a pattern of multi-year commitments rather than one-off awards. The funder is a regular grantmaker, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its recent awards are concentrated in institutional grants rather than open application-style giving.
$24.3M
$1.2B
$95.7M
$27.7M
Most grants fall between $226K and $1.8M, with a median of $926K.
25th Percentile
$226K
Median
$926K
75th Percentile
$1.8M
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Highly concentrated and repeat-driven: a small number of large, multi-year grants dominate total giving, primarily to Arkansas higher-education institutions and a few local intermediaries; few small, one-off awards.
Notable grantees: University of Arkansas Foundation Inc, John Brown University, Harding University, Arkansas Community Foundation Inc, Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation Inc
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States, and all recent awards went to Arkansas organizations. Fayetteville, Siloam Springs, Bentonville, Little Rock, Searcy, Clarksville, and Pine Bluff all appear in the recipient list. Fayetteville stands out through several large awards to the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc, while Little Rock is a repeated location for Arkansas Community Foundation Inc. The distribution is fully in-state, with 100% of grants going to recipients in Arkansas.
Its recent grants go mainly to Arkansas higher-education institutions and intermediaries serving students and local communities. Examples include the University of Arkansas Foundation Inc, John Brown University, Harding University, University of the Ozarks, Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation Inc, and Arkansas Community Foundation Inc.
Recent grants are generally large. The 25th percentile is $226,130, the median is $926,000, and the 75th percentile is $1,769,239. Several awards are well above that range, including multi-million-dollar commitments to universities and scholarship programs.
Yes. Scholarship support is a visible part of the grant record, including awards to the Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas through Arkansas Community Foundation Inc and repeated support for the Walton International Scholarship Program at John Brown University, Harding University, and the University of the Ozarks.
Recent giving is entirely in Arkansas, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the state. Recipient cities in the record include Fayetteville, Siloam Springs, Bentonville, Little Rock, Searcy, Clarksville, and Pine Bluff.
No. The foundation is listed as not funding individuals and not making program-related investments. Its recent pattern is institutional grantmaking to universities, colleges, and community foundations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $8,419,691 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF THADEN SCHOOL |
| JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $1,871,405 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2022, 2023, AND 2024 |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS | CLARKSVILLE, AR | $1,863,788 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2022, 2023, AND 2024 |
| HARDING UNIVERSITY | SEARCY, AR | $1,821,269 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT HARDING UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2022, 2023, AND 2024 |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $1,768,097 | 2026 | ARKANSAS SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $1,640,728 | 2026 | SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOUNDATION INC | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $1,133,850 | 2026 | OUTDOOR INDUSTRIES |
| NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | BENTONVILLE, AR | $877,000 | 2026 | SUSTAINABLE TRAILS TRADE SCHOOL |
| JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $750,000 | 2026 | MARK SIMMONS HONORARIUM |
| HARDING UNIVERSITY | SEARCY, AR | $729,952 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT HARDING UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2019, 2020, AND 2021 |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS | CLARKSVILLE, AR | $569,500 | 2026 | TO LAUNCH AN INFORMATION SCIENCE AND DATA ANALYTICS PROGRAM |
| NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION INC | BENTONVILLE, AR | $566,095 | 2026 | BICYCLE TECHNICIAN PROGRAM |
| JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $408,784 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2019, 2020, AND 2021 |
| JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $378,900 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2025, 2026, AND 2027 |
| HARDING UNIVERSITY | SEARCY, AR | $348,746 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT HARDING UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2025, 2026, AND 2027 |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS | CLARKSVILLE, AR | $326,535 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2019, 2020, AND 2021 |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $300,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT 2025 ANNUAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS | CLARKSVILLE, AR | $275,962 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2025, 2026, AND 2027 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF | PINE BLUFF, AR | $190,976 | 2026 | UAPB INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2025 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOUNDATION INC | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $50,000 | 2026 | KUAF 2025 ANNUAL GRANT |
| ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $12,000 | 2026 | ARKANSAS INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES 2025 OPERATING SUPPORT |
| University of Arkansas Foundation Inc | Fayetteville, AR | $34,340,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION - PHASE II, ESTABLISHMENT OF I3R AND BUILD RESEARCH BUILDING. |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | $6,500,000 | 2025 | to accelerate the development of JBU's cybersecurity program to develop local talent and meet a critical workforce need for Northwest Arkansas economy. |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation Inc | Bentonville, AR | $4,421,350 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND LAUNCH OF A SUSTAINABLE TRAILS TRADE SCHOOL. |
| Arkansas Community Foundation Inc | Little Rock, AR | $3,059,646 | 2025 | Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas. |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | $1,484,288 | 2025 | to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at Harding University for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, 2024. |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | $1,477,145 | 2025 | to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at John Brown University for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, 2024. |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | $1,341,271 | 2025 | to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at University of the Ozarks for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, 2024. |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | $1,318,227 | 2025 | to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at Harding University for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021. |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | $1,249,763 | 2025 | to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at the University of the Ozarks for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021. |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | $1,159,639 | 2025 | to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at John Brown University for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021. |
| University of Arkansas Foundation Inc | Fayetteville, AR | $1,068,236 | 2025 | to fund key positions and support in the Technology Ventures Office, the Office of Economic Development and the Office of Research and Innovation; and to attract five star scientists. |
| Arkansas Community Foundation Inc | Little Rock, AR | $777,685 | 2025 | to support the operations of Thaden School. |
| Arkansas Community Foundation Inc | Little Rock, AR | $300,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT 2024 ANNUAL OPERATIONS. |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | $201,186 | 2025 | to support up to 12 internship opportunities and 1 Fellowship. |
| University of Arkansas Foundation Inc | Fayetteville, AR | $50,000 | 2025 | KUAF 2024 Annual Grant. |
| Arkansas Community Foundation Inc | Little Rock, AR | $12,225 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE 2024 ANNUAL OPERATIONS FOR ARKANSAS INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES. |
| University of Arkansas Foundation Inc | Fayetteville, AR | $75,055,000 | 2024 | Research and Commercialization - Phase II, Establishment of I3R and Build Research Building. |
| Arkansas Community Foundation Inc | Little Rock, AR | $2,661,420 | 2024 | Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas. |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | $1,769,239 | 2024 | To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021. |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | $1,606,588 | 2024 | To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021. |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | $1,541,060 | 2024 | To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021. |
| University of Arkansas Foundation Inc | Fayetteville, AR | $1,500,000 | 2024 | Outdoor Industries. |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation Inc | Bentonville, AR | $926,000 | 2024 | To support the development and launch of a Sustainable Trails Trade School. |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | $882,624 | 2024 | To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024. |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | $879,736 | 2024 | To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024. |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | $877,700 | 2024 | To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024. |
| Arkansas Community Foundation Inc | Little Rock, AR | $300,000 | 2024 | To support 2023 annual operations. |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff, AR | $289,405 | 2024 | To support the cost of up to 14 internship opportunities to rising sophomores and juniors attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and one Investing Fellow. |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College Foundation Inc | Bentonville, AR | $248,660 | 2024 | To support the new NWACC Cycling and Technician Education Center. |
ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
$8,419,691TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF THADEN SCHOOL
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
$1,871,405TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2022, 2023, AND 2024
TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2022, 2023, AND 2024
TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT HARDING UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2022, 2023, AND 2024
ARKANSAS SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
ARKANSAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
$1,640,728SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
SUSTAINABLE TRAILS TRADE SCHOOL
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
$750,000MARK SIMMONS HONORARIUM
TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT HARDING UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2019, 2020, AND 2021
TO LAUNCH AN INFORMATION SCIENCE AND DATA ANALYTICS PROGRAM
BICYCLE TECHNICIAN PROGRAM
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
$408,784TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2019, 2020, AND 2021
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
$378,900TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2025, 2026, AND 2027
TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT HARDING UNIVERSITY FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2025, 2026, AND 2027
TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2019, 2020, AND 2021
TO SUPPORT THE WALTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE OZARKS FOR THE FRESHMAN CLASSES OF 2025, 2026, AND 2027
ARKANSAS INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES 2025 OPERATING SUPPORT
University of Arkansas Foundation Inc
$34,340,000RESEARCH AND COMMERCIALIZATION - PHASE II, ESTABLISHMENT OF I3R AND BUILD RESEARCH BUILDING.
John Brown University
$6,500,000to accelerate the development of JBU's cybersecurity program to develop local talent and meet a critical workforce need for Northwest Arkansas economy.
TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND LAUNCH OF A SUSTAINABLE TRAILS TRADE SCHOOL.
Arkansas Community Foundation Inc
$3,059,646Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas.
to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at Harding University for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, 2024.
John Brown University
$1,477,145to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at John Brown University for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, 2024.
to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at University of the Ozarks for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, 2024.
to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at Harding University for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at the University of the Ozarks for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
John Brown University
$1,159,639to support the Walton International Scholarship Program at John Brown University for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
University of Arkansas Foundation Inc
$1,068,236to fund key positions and support in the Technology Ventures Office, the Office of Economic Development and the Office of Research and Innovation; and to attract five star scientists.
to support the operations of Thaden School.
to support up to 12 internship opportunities and 1 Fellowship.
TO SUPPORT THE 2024 ANNUAL OPERATIONS FOR ARKANSAS INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.
University of Arkansas Foundation Inc
$75,055,000Research and Commercialization - Phase II, Establishment of I3R and Build Research Building.
Arkansas Community Foundation Inc
$2,661,420Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas.
John Brown University
$1,769,239To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021.
To support the development and launch of a Sustainable Trails Trade School.
John Brown University
$882,624To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024.
To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024.
To support the Walton International Scholarship Program for the freshman classes of 2022, 2023, and 2024.
To support the cost of up to 14 internship opportunities to rising sophomores and juniors attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and one Investing Fellow.
To support the new NWACC Cycling and Technician Education Center.