The Walter O Caldwell Foundation concentrates its resources on higher education and local arts in the Fort Smith/Western Arkansas area, providing flexible, general-purpose support to institutions rather than program-restricted grants. Its largest gifts go to the University of Arkansas system and the University of Arkansas–Fort Smith, with a significant commitment to a community arts school, signaling a preference for institutional strengthening of local educational and cultural infrastructure.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, relatively large grants that are largely unrestricted/general purpose. Funding is regionally focused and directed at institutional grantees rather than many small nonprofits or project-specific awards.
Walter O Caldwell Foundation’s clearest pattern is a strong commitment to institutional support in Fort Smith and the wider Western Arkansas area, with the University of Arkansas system as a major beneficiary and steady backing for local education and culture. The foundation’s largest recent grant was $500,000 to University of Arkansas Foundation Inc. for general purpose support, a sign that it favors flexible funding for established organizations rather than narrowly defined projects. That same approach appears across its recent giving. UAFS Foundation received $125,000 in 2023 and another $47,500 in 2024, while Community School for the Arts received $103,000 for general support. The foundation also funded Fort Smith Museum of History, Fort Smith Symphony, and Fort Smith Art Center Inc. (aka RAM), showing a consistent interest in institutions that shape the city’s educational and cultural infrastructure. Its portfolio is not limited to higher education and the arts. Recent grants also support health, youth, food access, and housing-related organizations, including Mercy Health Foundation, Good Samaritan Clinic, River Valley Regional Foodbank, and Next Step Homeless Services. Across those gifts, the common thread is broad-purpose support for organizations rooted in the local community.
In higher education, Walter O Caldwell Foundation gave $500,000 to University of Arkansas Foundation Inc. for general purpose support and $125,000 to UAFS Foundation for general purpose support. It also continued that relationship with another $47,500 grant to UAFS Foundation in 2024, showing repeated support for the region’s university infrastructure. The arts are another clear priority. Community School for the Arts received $103,000, while Fort Smith Symphony was awarded $55,500. Fort Smith Art Center Inc. (aka RAM) also received $15,000, indicating support for both arts education and local cultural institutions. The foundation also funds social and community services. Mercy Health Foundation received $50,000 in 2024 and $35,000 in 2023, and River Valley Regional Foodbank received $16,500 in both 2023 and 2024. Next Step Homeless Services also appears in the grant list with support in two years.
Typical grant size is modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $2,500, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $15,000. The pattern includes both smaller operating grants and a few much larger institutional awards, especially in higher education. Recipients appear across multiple years, including UAFS Foundation, Mercy Health Foundation, River Valley Regional Foodbank, Community Services Clearinghouse Inc., and Girls Inc of Fort Smith, which points to recurring support rather than one-time awards. The foundation gives as a private foundation and does not make program-related investments. The grant data shown is in 2023 and 2024; no application process is reflected in the records provided.
$967K
$1.2M
$286K
$990K
Most grants fall between $3K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 98% of grants go to recipients in AR.
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Notable grantees: University of Arkansas Foundation Inc, UAFS Foundation (University of Arkansas–Fort Smith), Community School for the Arts
Walter O Caldwell Foundation gives overwhelmingly in Arkansas: 98% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the grant list shows 100% of recipients in the US. Fort Smith is the main recipient city, appearing across higher education, arts, health, youth, and social service grants. Little Rock also appears in the recent record through University of Arkansas Foundation Inc. and The Call. The distribution is tightly local, with Fort Smith organizations accounting for most of the named grants.
The foundation supports higher education, local arts, and community services in Fort Smith and Western Arkansas. Recent grants include general-purpose support for the University of Arkansas system and UAFS, along with funding for arts, health, food access, youth, and housing-related organizations.
The typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include larger institutional awards such as $500,000 and $125,000.
Its grantmaking is local, and 98% of grants go to recipients in Arkansas. The recent grant list shows recipients in Arkansas only, with 100% of grants going to US organizations.
Yes. Several recipients received support in more than one year, including UAFS Foundation, Mercy Health Foundation, River Valley Regional Foodbank, Community Services Clearinghouse Inc., Next Step Homeless Services, Girls Inc of Fort Smith, and UAMS Foundation Fort Smith (AHEC).
The recent grants are listed as general purpose support for exempt organizations. That includes awards to University of Arkansas Foundation Inc., Community School for the Arts, Fort Smith Museum of History, Fort Smith Symphony, and other local institutions.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas Foundation Inc | Little Rock, AR | $500,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Museum of History | Fort Smith, AR | $60,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Mercy Health Foundation | Fort Smith, AR | $50,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Kids | Fort Smith, AR | $50,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| UAFS Foundation | Fort Smith, AR | $47,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| The Call | Little Rock, AR | $35,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Heritage Foundation Inc | Fort Smith, AR | $25,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Community Services Clearinghouse Inc | Fort Smith, AR | $16,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Antioch Youth Center | Fort Smith, AR | $16,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| River Valley Regional Foodbank | Fort Smith, AR | $16,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Good Samaritan Clinic | Fort Smith, AR | $15,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Art Center Inc (aka RAM) | Fort Smith, AR | $15,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Next Step Homeless Services | Fort Smith, AR | $15,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| UAMS Foundation Fort Smith (AHEC) | Fort Smith, AR | $10,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Christmas Honors | Fort Smith, AR | $10,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Girls Inc of Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | $10,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Crisis Intervention Center | Fort Smith, AR | $8,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Community School for the Arts | Fort Smith, AR | $7,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| First Choice Pregnancy Medical Center | Fort Smith, AR | $6,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Symphony | Fort Smith, AR | $5,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma Inc | Springdale, AR | $5,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| American Red Cross | Fort Smith, AR | $5,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| River Valley Film Society Inc | Fort Smith, AR | $5,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Comprehensive Juvenile Services | Fort Smith, AR | $5,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Community Rescue Mission of Ft Smith | Fort Smith, AR | $5,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| CASA of Sebastian County | Fort Smith, AR | $4,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Donald W Reynolds Cancer Support Foundation | Fort Smith, AR | $4,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Boy Scouts of America Westark Area Council | Fort Smith, AR | $3,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center Inc | Fort Smith, AR | $2,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Salvation Army | Fort Smith, AR | $2,500 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Chorale | Fort Smith, AR | $2,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Gregory Kistler Treatment Center | Fort Smith, AR | $2,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club | Fort Smith, AR | $1,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Dollywood Foundation | Pigeon Forge, TN | $1,000 | 2024 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| UAFS Foundation | Fort Smith, AR | $125,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Community School for the Arts | Fort Smith, AR | $103,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Symphony | Fort Smith, AR | $55,500 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Mercy Health Foundation | Fort Smith, AR | $35,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Arkansas Colleges of Health Education | Fort Smith, AR | $30,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Antioch Youth Center | Fort Smith, AR | $16,500 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Community Services Clearinghouse Inc | Fort Smith, AR | $16,500 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| River Valley Regional Foodbank | Fort Smith, AR | $16,500 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Good Samaritan Clinic | Fort Smith, AR | $15,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Next Step Homeless Services | Fort Smith, AR | $10,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Girls Inc of Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | $10,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Fort Smith Museum of History | Fort Smith, AR | $10,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| UAMS Foundation Fort Smith (AHEC) | Fort Smith, AR | $10,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Children's Emergency Shelter | Fort Smith, AR | $9,360 | 2023 | General Purpose o Exempt Organization |
| Crisis Intervention for Women | Fort Smith, AR | $8,000 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
| Christmas Honors | Fort Smith, AR | $7,500 | 2023 | General Purpose of Exempt Organization |
University of Arkansas Foundation Inc
$500,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Museum of History
$60,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Mercy Health Foundation
$50,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Kids
$50,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
UAFS Foundation
$47,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
The Call
$35,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Heritage Foundation Inc
$25,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Community Services Clearinghouse Inc
$16,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Antioch Youth Center
$16,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
River Valley Regional Foodbank
$16,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Good Samaritan Clinic
$15,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Art Center Inc (aka RAM)
$15,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Next Step Homeless Services
$15,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
UAMS Foundation Fort Smith (AHEC)
$10,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Christmas Honors
$10,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Girls Inc of Fort Smith
$10,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Crisis Intervention Center
$8,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Community School for the Arts
$7,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
First Choice Pregnancy Medical Center
$6,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Symphony
$5,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkoma Inc
$5,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
American Red Cross
$5,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
River Valley Film Society Inc
$5,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Comprehensive Juvenile Services
$5,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Community Rescue Mission of Ft Smith
$5,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
CASA of Sebastian County
$4,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Donald W Reynolds Cancer Support Foundation
$4,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Boy Scouts of America Westark Area Council
$3,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Heart to Heart Pregnancy Support Center Inc
$2,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Salvation Army
$2,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Chorale
$2,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Gregory Kistler Treatment Center
$2,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club
$1,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Dollywood Foundation
$1,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
UAFS Foundation
$125,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Community School for the Arts
$103,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Symphony
$55,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Mercy Health Foundation
$35,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Arkansas Colleges of Health Education
$30,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Antioch Youth Center
$16,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Community Services Clearinghouse Inc
$16,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
River Valley Regional Foodbank
$16,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Good Samaritan Clinic
$15,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Next Step Homeless Services
$10,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Girls Inc of Fort Smith
$10,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Fort Smith Museum of History
$10,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
UAMS Foundation Fort Smith (AHEC)
$10,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Children's Emergency Shelter
$9,360General Purpose o Exempt Organization
Crisis Intervention for Women
$8,000General Purpose of Exempt Organization
Christmas Honors
$7,500General Purpose of Exempt Organization