Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $12,626,383 (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Varies by review period
Grant Range: $1,000 - $25,000,000
Geographic Focus: Arkansas (primary), Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri (limited)
Total Assets: $334,398,230

Contact Details

Address: PO Box 10500, Fayetteville, AR 72703
Phone: (479) 582-2310
Email: info@walkerfoundation.org
Website: www.walkerfoundation.org

Pre-Application Support: Organizations must contact the Foundation office at least 30 days before submitting a grant request to discuss funding eligibility.

Overview

The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation was established in 2003 in Arkansas and funded in 2004 from the transfer of assets from the Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Trust. Founded by Willard and Pat Walker, who earned their fortune as early investors in Walmart during the 1970s, the foundation honors their legacy of integrity and generosity. The couple married in 1942 and shared 61 years together before Willard passed away in February 2003. Pat Walker continued as foundation president until her death in September 2016.

The foundation's mission is to support charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational endeavors through contributions to 501(c)(3) organizations. With assets exceeding $334 million and annual grantmaking of over $12.6 million, the foundation maintains the founders' commitment to healthcare and education as primary funding priorities, with additional support for arts and culture. The foundation made its largest-ever grant of $25 million to Arkansas Children's Hospital in 2023, demonstrating its capacity for transformational giving alongside smaller, community-focused grants.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

Healthcare (Primary Focus)

Hospital care and expansion
Children's health services
Cancer care and research
Hospice and end-of-life care
Medical education
Health centers and clinics

Education (Primary Focus)

K-12 education
Higher education
Scholarship programs
Teacher education programs
Early childhood education
Special education services

Arts and Culture (Secondary Focus)

Museums
Performing arts centers
Cultural awareness programs
Arts education

Additional Areas

Child welfare and family services
Community and economic development
Human services
Public affairs

Grant Range

Small grants: $1,000 - $50,000 (most common range)
Major grants: Up to $25,000,000
The foundation has made grants as high as $5 million historically, with the $25 million Arkansas Children's Hospital grant in 2023 being their largest to date

Recent Notable Grants

Arkansas Children's Hospital: $25 million (2023) - largest gift in hospital history, supporting Springdale hospital expansion and endowment creation
University of Arkansas: $5 million for Land of Opportunity Scholarship endowment
UAMS Health: $2 million for Orthopaedics & Sports Performance Center in Springdale
John Brown University: $150,000 (2024)

Other Recent Grantees

Healthcare: Children's Safety Center, Mercy Health Foundation Northwest Arkansas, WelcomeHealth, Circle of Life Hospice, Baptist Health Foundation, Hope Cancer Resources

Education: University of the Ozarks, Jesus Chapel School, Fayetteville Public Education, Thaden School, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Soar After School Program, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund Program, Sunshine School & Development Center

Arts & Culture: Walton Arts Center Council, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, TheatreSquared

What They Don't Fund

Organizations outside Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas
Non-501(c)(3) organizations
Individual applicants
Organizations that have received funding within the past 12 months

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a board primarily composed of Walker family members. Pat Walker served as foundation president until her death in 2016. The Walker family's philanthropic legacy spans decades, with over $125 million donated to charities and organizations in the four-state region by 2010.

Historical Leadership Context

Pat Walker (1919-2016) was born in Boise, Idaho, raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and met her husband Willard while working as a sales clerk in Coffeyville, Kansas. Willard Walker was hired by Sam Walton to manage a Five and Dime store in Fayetteville and became a Walmart executive. When Walmart went public in 1970, Walker took out bank loans to buy stock and retired wealthy, devoting himself and Pat to philanthropy in Northwest Arkansas. Pat Walker was inducted into the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame in 2016.

Major Historical Gifts

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences: $21.5 million (2004), with $15 million supporting the Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute
University of Arkansas: $3 million for Pat Walker Health Center (2001), completed 2004
University of Arkansas: $8 million for Willard J. Walker Hall at Sam M. Walton College of Business (2005)
University of the Ozarks: Nearly $3 million for Pat Walker Teacher Education Program (2007)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Pre-Application Requirement: All organizations must contact the Foundation office (via phone or email) at least 30 days before submitting a grant request to discuss funding eligibility. This initial conversation is mandatory.

Important Restrictions:

Do NOT contact the Walker family directly regarding funding requests
Direct all questions to the Foundation office
Organizations may submit only ONE request during any twelve-month period

Application Review Periods: The foundation accepts applications during two annual windows:

January 15 - March 1: For spring/summer funding decisions
August 15 - October 1: For fall/winter funding decisions

Contact Information:

Phone: (479) 582-2310
Email: info@walkerfoundation.org
Funding guidelines available via downloadable PDF on website

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization
Must be located in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, or Kansas
Must not have received funding from the foundation within the past 12 months

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines vary by review period. Organizations should expect to hear back following the completion of each review window, though specific timeframes are not publicly stated.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have received funding may not submit another request for at least twelve months from their previous grant award.

Application Success Factors

The Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation is described as "an approachable funder that encourages grantseekers to reach out to discuss their project before applying." This mandatory pre-application consultation is a critical success factor.

Key Success Factors

Alignment with Core Priorities: The foundation has maintained consistent focus on healthcare and education since its inception, reflecting the personal values of Willard and Pat Walker. Projects that clearly advance these priorities, particularly in Arkansas, receive strongest consideration.

Geographic Focus: While the foundation supports organizations in four states, Arkansas organizations—particularly those in Northwest Arkansas—receive the majority of funding. The foundation's largest grants have gone to Arkansas institutions including Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas, and UAMS.

Pre-Application Engagement: The mandatory 30-day advance contact requirement suggests the foundation values relationship building and discussion before formal applications. Organizations that use this consultation to align their proposals with foundation priorities and demonstrate local impact are likely to be more successful.

Institutional Capacity: Recent major grants to established institutions (Arkansas Children's Hospital, University of Arkansas, UAMS) demonstrate the foundation's willingness to make transformational gifts to organizations with proven track records and capacity to manage large projects.

Long-Term Relationships: The foundation has consistently supported certain organizations over many years, including the University of Arkansas and various healthcare institutions. Building a relationship through smaller grants may lead to larger funding opportunities.

Clear Community Impact: Grants to organizations like the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund, Sunshine School & Development Center, and local hospitals demonstrate interest in projects that serve vulnerable populations and address clear community needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Make the required pre-application call: Contact the foundation office at least 30 days before applying to discuss eligibility and alignment. This is mandatory and provides crucial insight into current priorities.
Focus on Arkansas: While the foundation funds in four states, Arkansas organizations receive priority, particularly those serving Northwest Arkansas communities.
Align with healthcare or education: These remain the foundation's primary priorities, reflecting the Walker's personal values. Arts and culture is a secondary interest.
Don't rule out large asks: While many grants range $1,000-$50,000, the foundation has made multimillion-dollar grants including their largest-ever $25 million gift in 2023. Organizations with transformational projects and strong capacity should consider significant requests.
Respect the one-year waiting period: Organizations can only apply once every twelve months, so ensure your proposal is well-developed and timed strategically.
Build relationships over time: The foundation's long-term support of certain organizations suggests value in starting with smaller grants and demonstrating impact before requesting larger investments.
Honor the Walker legacy: The foundation seeks to honor Willard and Pat Walker's values of integrity and generosity. Understanding their story and connection to the region strengthens applications.

References

Willard & Pat Walker Charitable Foundation official website, https://www.walkerfoundation.org/, accessed January 6, 2026
"Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation," Inside Philanthropy, https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/arkansas-grants/willard-and-pat-walker-charitable-foundation, accessed January 6, 2026
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Willard And Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Inc, https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/200235689, accessed January 6, 2026
"Arkansas Children's Announces Largest Gift in System History," Arkansas Children's, August 3, 2023, https://www.archildrens.org/news/releases/2023/arkansas-childrens-announces-largest-gift-in-system-history, accessed January 6, 2026
"Walker Foundation Joins Founders' Circle With $5 Million Scholarship Gift," University of Arkansas News, https://news.uark.edu/articles/77296/walker-foundation-joins-founders-circle-with-5-million-scholarship-gift, accessed January 6, 2026
"Pat Walker (1919-2016)," Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame, https://www.arwomenshalloffame.com/pat-walker, accessed January 6, 2026
"Pat Walker, Long-time U of A Benefactor, is Remembered on Campus," University of Arkansas News, https://news.uark.edu/articles/35271/pat-walker-long-time-u-of-a-benefactor-is-remembered-on-campus, accessed January 6, 2026
"Walker Foundation Commits $2 Million to UAMS Health Orthopaedics & Sports Performance Center," UAMS News, September 7, 2023, https://news.uams.edu/2023/09/07/walker-foundation-commits-2-million-to-uams-health-orthopaedics-sports-performance-center/, accessed January 6, 2026
Willard And Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Inc - 990 Report, Instrumentl, https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/willard-and-pat-walker-charitable-foundation-inc, accessed January 6, 2026
Charity Navigator Profile - Willard and Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Inc, https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/200235689, accessed January 6, 2026

Willard And Pat Walker Charitable Foundation Inc