Whitaker Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,602,931 (2024)
• Total Assets: $18.4 million
• Average Grant Size: $93,054
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $5,000,000
• Number of Awards: 7 grants (2024), 9 grants (2023)
• Decision Time: Initial acknowledgment within 3 weeks
• Geographic Focus: Northwest Arkansas (primary), with some support across Arkansas, Delaware, Minnesota, and Missouri
• Application Method: Rolling basis via Letter of Inquiry

Contact Details

Whitaker Family Foundation
PO Box 1383
Fayetteville, AR 72702

Phone: 479-571-1700
Fax: 479-571-1700
Email: alicia@whitakerpropertieslllp.com
Website: www.whitakerfamilyfoundation.org

Executive Director: Alicia Wantz

Overview

The Whitaker Family Foundation was established in December 2014 by family members of the late C. Don Whitaker and his wife, L. Pauline Whitaker of Rogers, Arkansas. C. Don Whitaker was the manager of the first Walmart store and one of the very first personnel hired by founder Sam Walton. The foundation operates as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation under the laws of the State of Arkansas with approximately $18.4 million in assets. In 2024, the foundation awarded $1,602,931 in grants. The foundation's philanthropic legacy spans four generations of the Whitaker family and remains rooted in Northwest Arkansas. With a personal connection to medical research through a family member with Tourette's syndrome, the foundation is dedicated to raising public awareness and creating funding to support medical and scientific research into the causes of and cures for children diagnosed with chronic or serious medical conditions, while also supporting meaningful education and engagement opportunities for youth.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through a two-stage application process with rolling deadlines:

• Children's Healthcare Grants: Supporting medical research, clinical trials, and healthcare facilities for children (grants range from small awards to major multi-million dollar commitments)
• Youth Education Grants: Funding educational programs and institutions serving children and adolescents
• Youth Development Programs: Supporting organizations that promote social, economic, and emotional engagement for young people

Recent major grants include a $5 million gift to Arkansas Children's Northwest for hospital expansion (2024), and grants to organizations like Camp Siloam ($162,814 in 2024), Circle of Life ($200,835 in 2024), and NWA Children's Shelter ($75,000 in 2024).

Priority Areas

Primary Focus Areas:

• Medical and scientific research for children with chronic or serious medical conditions
• Clinical research trials in children's health, wellness, and disease prevention
• Pediatric healthcare facilities and services
• Educational programs for children and adolescents
• Social, economic, and emotional engagement programs for youth
• Youth development initiatives that create "healthy, confident, independent contributors to society"

Geographic Preference:

• Strong preference for Northwest Arkansas organizations
• Primary service area includes Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, and surrounding communities
• Limited support to organizations in other Arkansas cities and select locations in Delaware, Minnesota, and Missouri

Past Recipients Include:

• Arkansas Children's Hospital and Arkansas Children's Northwest
• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
• Mayo Clinic
• University of Arkansas
• Northwest Arkansas Community College
• The New School (Fayetteville)
• Arkansas Athletes Outreach
• Camp Barnabas
• Equestrian Bridges
• The Miller McNeil Woodruff Foundation
• Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas
• Circle of Life Hospice

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publish a specific list of funding exclusions. However, based on their stated mission and grant history, organizations outside their core focus areas of children's healthcare and youth education are unlikely to be funded. Applicants must demonstrate alignment with the foundation's specific interest in childhood and adolescent health, medical research, and education.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

• Larry Whitaker - Chairman
• Amy Whitaker Merryman - Vice President
• Emily Ortega - Vice President
• Buck Ortega - Secretary-Treasurer
• Alicia Wantz - Executive Director and CFO (compensated at $34,083 annually)

The foundation operates as a private family foundation with most board members serving without compensation, reflecting the family's continued commitment to personal involvement in their philanthropic work.

Leadership Quotes

Larry Whitaker, Chairman, speaking about the foundation's $5 million gift to Arkansas Children's Northwest in 2024: "We are deeply committed to serving children and families in northwest Arkansas, including my own family. Some of my grandchildren have been patients at Arkansas Children's Northwest (ACNW), and it is gratifying to know that philanthropic contributions helped bring ACNW to fruition, providing the 200,000 children living in this region convenient access to comprehensive pediatric medical care."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Whitaker Family Foundation uses a two-stage application process with rolling deadlines (applications accepted year-round):

Stage 1: Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

• May be submitted at any time throughout the year
• Should include:
  • General information about your organization
  • Brief description of the proposed project
  • Preliminary project budget
  • Signature from an officer with authority to sign on behalf of the organization
• Submit to: Alicia Wantz, Executive Director, at the mailing address above or via email

Stage 2: Full Grant Application (by invitation only)

• If your Letter of Inquiry is approved and the project aligns with foundation interests, you will be invited to submit a full application
• Required components:
  • Complete project description with detailed budget
  • Project timeframe and timeline
  • Anticipated outcomes and success measures
  • Project evaluation plan
  • Information about other funding sources
  • Organizational background and history
• Required supporting documents:
  • IRS tax-exemption letter (501(c)(3) status)
  • List of current board of trustees
  • Most recent audited financial statements

Additional Notes:

• The foundation may request additional information or schedule a site visit
• Downloadable application forms are available on the foundation's website

Decision Timeline

• Initial Acknowledgment: Within 3 weeks of Letter of Inquiry submission
• LOI Review: Timeline for LOI review and invitation to full application not publicly specified
• Final Decision: Timeline from full application to final decision not publicly disclosed
• Notification Method: Direct communication with applicant organization

The foundation appears to make grant decisions on a rolling basis throughout the year rather than adhering to fixed grant cycles.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and acceptance percentages are not publicly disclosed. However, based on available data:

• The foundation made 7 grants in 2024 out of total assets of $18.4 million
• The foundation made 9 grants in 2023
• With a relatively small number of annual grants, competition appears selective

The foundation has established relationships with several major institutions (Arkansas Children's, University of Arkansas, etc.) that receive recurring or significant support.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish a specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations interested in reapplying should contact the Executive Director directly to inquire about appropriate timing and whether revisions to the original proposal would be welcome.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history, public statements, and organizational priorities, the following factors appear most critical for application success:

1. Geographic Connection to Northwest Arkansas The foundation is "rooted in the heart of Northwest Arkansas" with Chairman Larry Whitaker emphasizing their commitment to "serving children and families in northwest Arkansas." Organizations based in or directly serving the Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, and surrounding communities appear to have a significant advantage.

2. Focus on Children's Health and Medical Research The foundation's stated mission prioritizes "medical and scientific research into the causes of and cures for children diagnosed with chronic or serious medical conditions." Successful applicants should clearly articulate how their work addresses specific pediatric health challenges, advances medical research, or improves healthcare delivery for children.

3. Personal Connection and Impact Stories Larry Whitaker's quote about his own grandchildren being patients at Arkansas Children's Northwest demonstrates the importance of personal connection. Applications that can illustrate concrete impact on individual children and families in the community may resonate strongly with the foundation's values.

4. Demonstrated Track Record and Relationships The foundation has made multiple grants to organizations like Arkansas Children's, University of Arkansas, and other established institutions. Building a relationship through an initial smaller grant or demonstrating organizational credibility and effectiveness appears important.

5. Clear Alignment with Youth Development Beyond healthcare, the foundation seeks to support "improved and meaningful social, economic and emotional engagement and education for today's youth" and help young people become "healthy, confident, independent contributors to society." Educational and youth development programs should explicitly connect their work to these outcomes.

6. Comprehensive Project Planning The application requirements emphasize detailed project descriptions, budgets, timelines, evaluation plans, and measurable outcomes. Successful applications should demonstrate thorough planning and realistic implementation strategies.

7. Multi-Year Impact Potential Grant reports show several multi-year commitments and recurring grants to the same organizations, suggesting the foundation values sustainable impact over one-time projects.

8. Collaboration with Other Funders The application requires information about "other funding sources," suggesting the foundation may prefer to be part of a broader funding coalition rather than sole funder for large projects.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Start with geographic fit: Northwest Arkansas location or direct service to the region is a significant advantage; organizations outside this area should clearly demonstrate compelling reasons for funding
• Emphasize children's health focus: The foundation's core mission centers on pediatric medical research and healthcare; applications outside this focus should clearly connect to youth education or development
• Use the two-stage process strategically: The Letter of Inquiry allows you to test fit before investing time in a full application; make this initial contact compelling and concise
• Highlight measurable outcomes: The foundation requires evaluation plans and success measures; be prepared to demonstrate concrete, quantifiable impact on children's lives
• Build relationships over time: With only 7-9 grants annually, this is a selective funder; consider starting with a Letter of Inquiry to introduce your organization even if you're not ready for immediate funding
• Demonstrate sustainability: The foundation's history of multi-year grants to established partners suggests they value long-term relationships and sustainable impact over one-time projects
• Connect to family values: The Whitaker family's personal experiences (grandchildren as patients, family member with medical condition) inform their giving; authentic stories of impact on children and families resonate
• Acknowledge the Walmart legacy: The foundation's roots in C. Don Whitaker's work with Sam Walton as Walmart's first store manager represent a distinctly Northwest Arkansas story; understanding this context may be valuable

References

1. Whitaker Family Foundation Official Website - About Us. https://www.whitakerfamilyfoundation.org/about-2/index.html (Accessed February 2026)

2. Whitaker Family Foundation - Application Process. https://www.whitakerfamilyfoundation.org/application-process/index.html (Accessed February 2026)

3. Whitaker Family Foundation - Our Programs. https://www.whitakerfamilyfoundation.org/our-programs/index.html (Accessed February 2026)

4. Whitaker Family Foundation - Grant Reports. https://www.whitakerfamilyfoundation.org/grant-reports/index.html (Accessed February 2026)

5. Whitaker Family Foundation - Board of Directors. https://www.whitakerfamilyfoundation.org/board-of-directors/index.html (Accessed February 2026)

6. Whitaker Family Foundation - Contact Information. https://www.whitakerfamilyfoundation.org/contact/index.html (Accessed February 2026)

7. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Whitaker Family Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/472311665 (Accessed February 2026)

8. Cause IQ - Whitaker Family Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/whitaker-family-foundation,472311665/ (Accessed February 2026)

9. Talk Business & Politics. "Whitaker Family Foundation donates $5 million to Arkansas Children's NWA expansion." October 24, 2024. https://talkbusiness.net/2024/10/whitaker-family-foundation-donates-5-million-to-arkansas-childrens-nwa-expansion/ (Accessed February 2026)

10. Arkansas Children's. "Whitaker Family Foundation Donates to Arkansas Children's Northwest Expansion." News Release, October 24, 2024. https://www.archildrens.org/news/releases/2024/whitaker-family-donation-to-acnw-expansion (Accessed February 2026)

11. Instrumentl - Whitaker Family Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/whitaker-family-foundation (Accessed February 2026)