Walmart – Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas Grants (2027)
Corporate Grants Expanding Access to Arts, Recreation, Scholarships, Field Trips, and Community Programs in Northwest Arkansas
Walmart’s Northwest Arkansas Giving Program offers Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas Grants to nonprofit organizations expanding access to arts, recreation, and shared community experiences in Benton and Washington counties, Arkansas.
The program supports initiatives that help residents participate in community activities through scholarships, field trips, and free or low-cost programming.
A central component of the program is meaningful volunteer engagement. Applicants should demonstrate how volunteers will contribute to their proposed activities and strengthen community connections.
Applications open March 1, 2027, and close March 14, 2027, at 11:59 PM Central Time.
A pre-application webinar is scheduled for February 17, 2027.
Organization: Walmart
Program: Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas
Support Type: Corporate giving grants
Geographic Focus: Benton and Washington counties, Arkansas
Funding Amount: Not yet published
Application Opens: March 1, 2027
Application Deadline: March 14, 2027, at 11:59 PM CT
Application Status: Upcoming
About the Funder
Walmart is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, and has deep historical ties to Northwest Arkansas.
Through its Northwest Arkansas Giving Program, Walmart invests in nonprofit organizations helping the region remain a strong, connected, and inclusive place to live.
The program focuses on community resilience, recognizing that strong communities depend on more than essential services.
Parks, recreation, cultural activities, and shared experiences help residents build relationships, strengthen community identity, and develop a sense of belonging.
The Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas Grant Program supports nonprofit initiatives that expand access to these experiences.
What This Program Supports
Arts & Cultural Access
Walmart seeks to support programs that help residents participate in arts and cultural activities.
Potential initiatives may include:
- Community arts programming
- Cultural experiences
- Arts education
- Accessible performances and events
- Programs introducing residents to local cultural resources
- Activities reducing financial barriers to arts participation
Projects should demonstrate how they expand access for residents who might otherwise face barriers to participation.
Recreation & Community Activities
The program supports initiatives expanding access to recreational experiences.
Potential activities may include:
- Community recreation programs
- Outdoor recreation
- Organized recreational activities
- Programs connecting residents through shared experiences
- Inclusive community programming
- Activities encouraging participation across different populations
The emphasis is on accessibility, participation, and community connection.
Scholarships & Participation Assistance
The Caring & Connected RFP specifically identifies scholarships as a way to improve access.
Potential activities may include:
- Scholarships for recreational programs
- Assistance covering participation fees
- Financial support helping residents access arts activities
- Programs reducing the cost of community experiences
Applicants should explain how scholarships will remove barriers and expand participation.
Educational & Recreational Field Trips
The program also identifies field trips as an eligible approach to expanding community access.
Potential initiatives may include:
- Arts and cultural field trips
- Educational recreation experiences
- Visits to community cultural institutions
- Group activities introducing participants to local resources
Projects should demonstrate how field trips contribute to meaningful learning, recreation, or community engagement.
Free or Low-Cost Community Programming
Walmart supports initiatives that make arts, recreation, and community experiences financially accessible.
Potential projects may include:
- Free community activities
- Low-cost recreation programs
- Accessible arts programming
- Community gatherings
- Programs helping underserved residents participate in shared experiences
Organizations should explain how their pricing and participation strategies improve accessibility.
Volunteer Engagement
Volunteer engagement is an important component of the Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas program.
Walmart emphasizes creating meaningful opportunities for volunteers to participate in community initiatives.
Applicants should be prepared to describe:
- How volunteers will be incorporated into programming
- The types of volunteer activities available
- How volunteers will contribute to project outcomes
- Opportunities for ongoing volunteer involvement
- How volunteer engagement strengthens community connections
Organizations should consider volunteer participation when designing their proposals rather than treating it as an afterthought.
The complete 2027 RFP may provide additional details about volunteer engagement expectations.
Eligible Support Types
Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas provides financial grants for qualifying nonprofit programs.
The published program description identifies support for:
- Scholarships
- Field trips
- Free programming
- Low-cost arts and recreation activities
- Initiatives strengthening community connection
- Programs offering meaningful volunteer engagement
Detailed eligible expense categories will be provided in the 2027 RFP.
Applicants should review the full guidelines before assuming that equipment, capital improvements, unrestricted operating costs, or other specific expenses qualify.
Eligibility & Preferences
The program is intended for nonprofit organizations serving Northwest Arkansas.
Geographic Benefit
Proposed projects must directly benefit residents of:
- Benton County, Arkansas
- Washington County, Arkansas
Organizational Location
Walmart’s Northwest Arkansas Giving guidance allows organizations headquartered outside the region to seek funding when their proposed programs directly benefit Benton or Washington county.
Program Alignment
Projects should expand access to arts, recreation, and shared community experiences.
Volunteer Engagement
Applicants should demonstrate a meaningful commitment to incorporating volunteers into program activities.
Organizational Requirements
The complete 2027 RFP has not yet been published.
Applicants should review the official guidelines when released for any additional requirements involving nonprofit status, organizational documentation, budgets, and project eligibility.
Geographic Eligibility
Eligible State: Arkansas
Eligible Counties:
- Benton County
- Washington County
This is a geographically restricted funding opportunity serving Northwest Arkansas.
Communities within the region include:
- Bentonville
- Rogers
- Bella Vista
- Springdale
- Fayetteville
These communities are examples rather than an exhaustive list.
Organizations located elsewhere may be eligible if their proposed programs directly benefit residents of Benton or Washington county.
The program is not available statewide or nationwide without a direct Northwest Arkansas benefit.
Ineligible Requests
Walmart has not yet published the complete 2027 Caring & Connected RFP.
Requests that would not align with the published program description include:
- Projects without a direct benefit to Benton or Washington county
- Activities unrelated to arts, recreation, or community connection
- Proposals submitted before the application opening date
- Requests for product donations or gift cards through this financial grant program
Additional restrictions may be included in the full RFP.
Organizations seeking sponsorships for fundraising events or large public events should review Walmart’s separate Northwest Arkansas Event Sponsorship program.
Funding Amounts
Grant Amounts: Not Yet Published
Walmart has not announced a minimum or maximum award for the 2027 Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas funding cycle.
The total funding pool and anticipated number of awards have also not been published.
Applicants should wait for the complete RFP before finalizing their requested funding amounts.
Timeline & Review
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-Application Webinar | February 17, 2027, at 12:00 PM CT |
| Applications Open | March 1, 2027 |
| Application Deadline | March 14, 2027, at 11:59 PM CT |
| Award Notifications | Not yet published |
Walmart states that proposals submitted before March 1, 2027, will be returned.
Applicants should prepare their materials in advance but wait until the application window opens before submitting.
Application / Request Process
Step 1: Confirm Geographic Eligibility
Verify that the proposed project will directly benefit Benton or Washington county residents.
Step 2: Identify the Community Need
Explain what barriers prevent residents from participating in arts, recreation, or community activities.
Potential barriers may include:
- Program costs
- Limited access to recreational opportunities
- Transportation challenges
- Lack of affordable cultural experiences
- Limited availability of inclusive programming
Step 3: Develop the Program Plan
Applicants should describe:
- The proposed activities
- The population served
- How participation will be expanded
- Whether scholarships or reduced fees will be offered
- Anticipated community benefits
- Expected outcomes
Step 4: Develop the Volunteer Engagement Plan
Explain how volunteers will participate in the project.
Organizations should identify meaningful volunteer roles and describe how volunteer involvement will support program activities.
Step 5: Attend the Informational Webinar
Walmart has scheduled a webinar for February 17, 2027, at 12:00 PM Central Time.
Registration is available through the official Northwest Arkansas Giving webpage.
Step 6: Review the 2027 RFP
The application link, invitation code, and RFP document have not yet been published.
Applicants should monitor the official webpage for these materials.
Step 7: Submit During the Application Window
Applications will be accepted March 1–14, 2027.
Deadline: March 14, 2027, at 11:59 PM Central Time.
Do not submit before March 1.
Apply / Learn More:
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
Caring & Connected Northwest Arkansas may be especially attractive to organizations that:
- Operate arts and cultural programs
- Provide community recreation
- Offer scholarships for participation in activities
- Organize educational or recreational field trips
- Serve children, families, or underserved populations
- Offer free or low-cost community programs
- Reduce barriers to arts and recreation
- Have meaningful volunteer engagement opportunities
- Serve Benton or Washington county residents
The program offers an opportunity for nonprofits to expand community participation and strengthen social connections.
Its emphasis on scholarships, field trips, and affordable programming makes it particularly relevant to organizations seeking to make arts and recreation accessible to residents who might otherwise be excluded.
The volunteer engagement component also creates opportunities for organizations that can effectively involve community members and corporate volunteers in their activities.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Competitive RFP
Application Opens: March 1, 2027
Deadline: March 14, 2027, at 11:59 PM CT
Webinar: February 17, 2027, at 12:00 PM CT
Funding Amount: Not yet published
Geography: Arkansas
Eligible Counties: Benton and Washington
Eligible Applicants: Nonprofit organizations meeting forthcoming RFP requirements
Funding Priorities: Arts, recreation, scholarships, field trips, accessible programming
Volunteer Engagement: Important program component
Application Method: To be announced
Application Status: Upcoming
Best Suited For: Arts organizations, community recreation nonprofits, youth-serving organizations, and nonprofits providing accessible community experiences
Application Strategy: Demonstrate how the program removes participation barriers, benefits Northwest Arkansas residents, and creates meaningful opportunities for volunteer engagement.