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Soderquist Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M

Soderquist Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,377,500 (based on available data)
  • Total Assets: $11.75 million (2019 data)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not applicable - no public application process
  • Grant Range: Varies widely (from operating support to major capital campaigns)
  • Geographic Focus: Illinois and Arkansas primarily
  • Application Process: No public application - preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 3215, Oak Park, IL 60303-3215
Phone: (773) 230-1788
EIN: 73-1621266
Website: No public website
Contact Person: Mark Soderquist, President

Note: The foundation does not have a website and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Overview

The Soderquist Family Foundation was established in 2001 in Arkansas by Don Soderquist (1934-2016), the former Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice Chairman of Walmart Stores, Inc., who was known as the "Keeper of the Culture" after founder Sam Walton's passing. The foundation is now based in Oak Park, Illinois, and led by Don's son, Mark Soderquist. With total assets of approximately $11.75 million and annual giving of over $1.3 million, the foundation focuses on Christian organizations and churches, education, children and youth services, and social services. The foundation operates as a private family foundation that makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The Soderquist family's philanthropic legacy is deeply rooted in values-based leadership, community development, and Christian ministry, particularly in the Chicago area and Northwest Arkansas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it provides strategic support to organizations with which the family has existing relationships or connections. Known funding areas include:

Major Capital Support: Multi-year, significant gifts for capital projects and endowments

  • John Brown University: $1 million for the Donald G. Soderquist College of Business endowment (2013), plus $300,000 for Strategic Initiative Fund
  • John Brown University: Funding for Soderquist Business Center construction (2005)
  • Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas: Support for $7.4 million capital campaign (2025)

Operating and Program Support: Ongoing support for mission-aligned organizations

  • Support varies based on organization size and relationship with the foundation
  • Focus on Christian ministries, youth development, and educational institutions

Priority Areas

Christian Organizations and Churches

  • Protestant churches and ministries
  • Faith-based youth development programs
  • Christian higher education institutions
  • Values-based leadership development

Education

  • Christian colleges and universities (particularly John Brown University, Taylor University)
  • Scholarship funds for underserved populations
  • Business and leadership education
  • Faculty development and endowed positions

Children, Youth, and Social Services

  • Urban youth development (Westlawn Youth Network, Chicago)
  • Camping and retreat ministries (Lake Geneva Camps, New Life Ranch)
  • Programs serving underserved communities
  • Single-parent support services

Leadership Development

  • Values-based leadership training
  • Christian leadership centers
  • Ethical business practices education

Geographic Focus

  • Primary focus on Illinois (Chicago/Oak Park area) and Northwest Arkansas
  • Mark Soderquist's deep commitment to Chicago's North Lawndale community through 30+ years of service
  • Historic ties to Northwest Arkansas through Don Soderquist's Walmart legacy

What They Don't Fund

Based on their stated priorities and funding history, the foundation typically does not fund:

  • Secular organizations without a Christian mission or values alignment
  • Organizations outside their geographic focus areas
  • Organizations without existing relationships with the foundation or family members
  • International programs (focus is domestic)
  • Political or advocacy organizations
  • Individual scholarships (they fund scholarship programs through institutions)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Mark Soderquist, President Mark Soderquist leads the foundation from Chicago, Illinois. He has lived and ministered in Chicago's North Lawndale community for over 30 years alongside his wife Jennifer. Mark serves as Administrative Pastor at Westlawn Gospel Chapel, a 67-year-old African-American church in North Lawndale, demonstrating the family's commitment to long-term community investment and cross-cultural ministry. Mark's dual role as foundation president and local church pastor shapes the foundation's focus on grassroots, relationship-based philanthropy. He also serves on the Board of Trustees at Taylor University.

Foundation Legacy

Don Soderquist (1934-2016), Founder Donald G. Soderquist founded the foundation with his wife JoAnn after a distinguished career at Walmart, where he served as COO and Senior Vice Chairman from 1988-1999. During his tenure, Walmart's revenue grew from $1 billion to over $200 billion. Known as the "Keeper of the Culture," Don drafted Walmart's original core values and was renowned for his commitment to integrity and values-based leadership. After retirement, he established The Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics (now Milestone Leadership) in Northwest Arkansas, which has trained over 50,000 leaders.

Family Involvement The foundation reflects multigenerational family commitment to Christian ministry and education. Don and JoAnn had four children (Mark, Wendy, Sandie, and Jeff), 11 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild at the time of Don's passing in 2016. The foundation's work continues to reflect Don's passion for integrity, leadership development, and Christian values.

Philanthropic Philosophy Don Soderquist was remembered as a "people person" who was active in his community, supporting charities and nonprofits. He received multiple awards including the Dick Trammel Good Neighbor Award (2009) and the Advocate for Innocence Award for Outstanding Community Partner (2015). Three nonprofits he worked closely with were Lake Geneva Camps and Conferences (Wisconsin), New Life Ranch (Oklahoma), and Westlawn Youth Network (Illinois), all of which likely continue to receive foundation support.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership based on:

  • Existing relationships with the Soderquist family
  • Alignment with the foundation's Christian values and mission
  • Geographic connections to Illinois (especially Chicago) or Northwest Arkansas
  • Personal knowledge of the organization's work and leadership
  • Strategic fit with the family's philanthropic vision

Organizations should not submit unsolicited proposals, letters of inquiry, or grant applications.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's approach to grant-making through preselected organizations, the only realistic pathway to consideration would be:

Personal Connection Through Mark Soderquist Mark serves as Administrative Pastor at Westlawn Gospel Chapel in Chicago's North Lawndale community and on the Board of Trustees at Taylor University. Organizations that intersect with these specific ministry contexts may develop natural relationships over time.

Demonstrated Partnership History The foundation appears to support organizations where family members have been involved for extended periods (e.g., 30+ years in North Lawndale). This suggests they value:

  • Long-term commitment to communities
  • Relationship-based rather than transactional philanthropy
  • Organizations that share their Christian values and approach to ministry
  • Proven track records of effective service

Connection to Don Soderquist's Legacy Organizations connected to values-based leadership, Christian higher education, or Northwest Arkansas institutions may align with the foundation's historical interests, though there is no guarantee of funding without direct family connection.

Important Note: Unlike many foundations that may eventually consider new applicants who make contact, this foundation's stance is clear that they work only with preselected organizations. Grant seekers should respect this boundary and not attempt to solicit funding.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable. The foundation operates on its own timeline for supporting preselected organizations, not on a grant cycle or application review schedule.

Success Rates

Not applicable. There is no application process, so success rates cannot be calculated.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept applications or reapplications from organizations.

Application Success Factors

Since there is no application process, traditional success factors do not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values can inform organizations about whether they might ever be considered for support:

Christian Values Alignment The foundation is categorized as "Religion-Related, Spiritual Development / Protestant" and explicitly prioritizes Christian organizations and churches. Organizations must have a clear Christian mission and values alignment.

Long-term Relationship Building Mark Soderquist's 30+ year commitment to North Lawndale exemplifies the family's approach: deep, sustained engagement rather than transactional grant-making. The foundation appears to invest in organizations where family members have personal knowledge and long-term relationships.

Focus on Underserved Communities The foundation's support for Westlawn Youth Network, Single Parent Scholarship Fund, and Chicago's North Lawndale community demonstrates commitment to serving underserved and marginalized populations.

Leadership and Values Development Given Don Soderquist's legacy around values-based leadership, the foundation likely looks for organizations that emphasize character development, ethical leadership, and integrity alongside service delivery.

Strategic, Significant Giving The foundation makes substantial grants ($300,000 to $1 million+) to organizations where they can make a meaningful impact, rather than spreading resources thinly across many organizations.

Educational Excellence The foundation's consistent support for John Brown University and connections to Taylor University demonstrate interest in Christian higher education institutions that integrate faith and learning.

Youth Development Focus Support for Westlawn Youth Network and camping ministries shows the foundation values programs that shape young people's character and faith development.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation is not accessible through a traditional grant application process. They explicitly do not accept unsolicited funding requests and work only with preselected organizations.

  • Personal relationships matter most. The foundation's approach is deeply relational, with Mark Soderquist personally involved in the communities and organizations they support (30+ years in North Lawndale).

  • Christian mission is essential. The foundation is explicitly focused on Protestant Christian organizations and churches. Organizations without a clear Christian identity and mission are not aligned with their priorities.

  • Geographic focus is narrow. The foundation primarily supports organizations in the Chicago/Oak Park area and Northwest Arkansas, reflecting the family's personal connections to these regions.

  • They give significantly to fewer organizations rather than small grants to many. When they commit, they make substantial investments ($300,000 to $1 million+), often for capital campaigns or endowments.

  • Long-term commitment is valued over short-term projects. The foundation appears to support organizations through ongoing relationships and repeated gifts rather than one-time project grants.

  • Values-based leadership is a core theme. Given Don Soderquist's legacy as the "Keeper of the Culture" at Walmart and founder of a leadership center, organizations that emphasize integrity, character development, and ethical leadership align with the foundation's ethos.

References

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