Walton Family Foundation
Contact information:
P.O. Box 2030
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: 479-464-1570
Fax: 479-464-1580
Website: http://www.waltonfamilyfoundation.org/
Type of foundation: Independent
Types of grants: Project, scholarship, program-related investments
Description: The Foundation was created by Sam Walton (founder of Wal-Mart) and Helen Walton. The Foundation supports projects in the areas of:
- Education reform: increasing access to charter schools, expanding school choice, improving quality in selected districts (Albany, NY; Columbus, OH; Milwaukee, WI; Washington, D.C.).
- Environment: fisheries management and marine conservation.
- Delta region of Arkansas and Mississippi: improving quality of life and community-based economic development.
- Northwest Arkansas : promoting education, economic development, amenities, diversity/culture, environmental protection.
The Foundation has made some significant investments in the areas of arts and culture in its target geographic areas (e.g., Walton Arts Center and the Crystal Bridges art museum and cultural center).
Sample grants:
- $25,000 to Hot Springs Documentary Film Institute (2008)
- $5,000 to Public Broadcasting of Colorado
- $1,000 for Roaring Fork Public Radio Translator (Aspen, CO) (2008)
- $1,000 to KQED
Fit for public broadcasting: The most likely fit is for public media outlets serving Northwest Arkansas and/or the targeted Delta region. There may be a fit for public media initiatives focused intensively on educational reporting and/or environment reporting.
Eligibility: The Foundation generally does not fund:
- Grants to individuals, other than its own scholarship program
- Endowments
- Medical and health-care-related programs
- Business-related activities such as start-up costs
- Travel expenses
Deadline: None
How to apply: Submit a letter of inquiry.
For environment projects, letters of inquiry should be addressed to:
The Walton Family Foundation
ATTN: Letter of Inquiry
919 18th Street NW, Suite 650
Washington DC 20006
All other letters of inquiry should be addressed to the Bentonville address listed above. If interested, the Foundation will request a full proposal.
Giving range: $1,000 - $15+ million
Assets: $1,948,806,804 (2008)
Total giving: $184,630,721 (2008)
