Four1 Foundation
Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $760,000 (charitable disbursements)
- Success Rate: Not applicable (preselected grantees only)
- Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
- Grant Range: Average grant size $22,406 (32 grants awarded)
- Geographic Focus: Multi-state (AR, CO, FL, IL, MO, NC, NE, OK, OR, TN, TX, WI, WY)
- Assets: $13.3 million
Contact Details
Four1 Foundation
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
EIN: 82-5206228
Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. They operate as a private family foundation.
Overview
The Four1 Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2018 and based in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Led by Jeffrey and Amy Soderquist, the foundation has assets totaling $13.3 million and made charitable disbursements of $760,000 in their most recent fiscal year, representing 86.1% of total expenses. The foundation is connected to the Soderquist family, known in Northwest Arkansas for their association with Walmart leadership and John Brown University. Jeffrey Soderquist is the son of Don Soderquist, former senior vice chairman of Walmart Stores, Inc., and serves as the longtime women's basketball coach at John Brown University (recently retired after 27 seasons). The foundation generates revenue primarily through investment income, including dividends (87.3%), sales of assets (9.4%), and interest revenue (3.2%). While the foundation does not specify particular subject areas for its funding, it supports organizations across thirteen states.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The Four1 Foundation awarded 32 grants in their most recent fiscal period with an average grant size of $22,406. Specific grant programs or tiers are not publicly identified.
Important: The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Priority Areas
The foundation does not publicly specify particular subject areas or causes for its funding. Geographic distribution spans thirteen states: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
What They Don't Fund
As a foundation that only supports preselected organizations, they do not fund:
- Unsolicited grant applications
- Organizations outside their preselected network
Governance and Leadership
Jeffrey Soderquist - Director, President, and Treasurer
Jeffrey (Jeff) Soderquist is the son of Don Soderquist, former senior vice chairman of Walmart Stores, Inc. Jeff recently retired after 27 seasons as head coach of John Brown University's women's basketball program, amassing a program-record 424 wins and leading the team to seven NAIA National Championship appearances. He also served 18 years as an Assistant Athletics Director at JBU.
Amy Soderquist - Director and Vice President
Amy Soderquist is Jeff's wife and a John Brown University alumna. The couple resides in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
Both officers serve without compensation, consistent with the foundation's structure as a private family foundation.
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
This foundation does not have a public application process. The Four1 Foundation has explicitly indicated that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
According to their IRS Form 990-PF filings, this is a private family foundation that maintains discretion over which organizations receive grants. Approximately 71% of private foundations in the United States operate under similar policies.
Decision Timeline
Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the directors.
Success Rates
Not applicable for unsolicited applications.
Application Success Factors
Since the Four1 Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that receive funding from this foundation are preselected by the directors, Jeffrey and Amy Soderquist.
Key Observations:
- The foundation has a wide geographic reach across thirteen states, suggesting diverse interests or connections
- With 32 grants awarded and an average grant size of $22,406, the foundation appears to support a moderate number of organizations with modest-sized grants
- As a relatively new foundation (established 2018) led by members of a prominent Northwest Arkansas family, their funding may reflect personal connections, values, and relationships developed through their community involvement
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and only funds preselected organizations
- Family Foundation Structure: Led by Jeffrey and Amy Soderquist, this is a private family foundation with strong ties to Northwest Arkansas and John Brown University
- Investment-Based: The foundation generates revenue primarily through dividends and investments rather than ongoing contributions
- Consistent Grantmaking: With $760,000 in charitable disbursements (86.1% of expenses), the foundation demonstrates strong commitment to grantmaking
- Not Suitable for Cold Outreach: Organizations without existing connections to the Soderquist family should not attempt to apply
- Limited Public Information: The foundation maintains minimal public presence beyond required IRS filings, consistent with their preselected grantee policy
- Regional Heritage: Understanding the foundation's connection to Walmart leadership legacy and John Brown University may provide context about potential values and interests
References
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Four1 Foundation (EIN: 82-5206228). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/825206228 (Accessed January 2026)
- Grantable.co - Four1 Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.grantable.co/search/funders/profile/four1-foundation-us-foundation-825206228 (Accessed January 2026)
- Grantmakers.io - Four1 Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/825206228-four1-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Sooner Athletic Conference - "After Landmark 27th Season at Helm, Soderquist Announces Retirement from Basketball" (March 27, 2024). Available at: https://soonerathletic.org/news/2024/3/27/womens-basketball-after-landmark-27th-season-at-helm-soderquist-announces-retirement-from-basketball.aspx (Accessed January 2026)
- Siloam Springs Herald-Leader - "JBU's Soderquist announces retirement after historic season" (April 3, 2024). Available at: https://hl.nwaonline.com/news/2024/apr/03/jbus-soderquist-announces-retirement-after/ (Accessed January 2026)
- Obituary - JoAnn P. Soderquist, Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home. Available at: https://www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com/obituary/joann-soderquist (Accessed January 2026)
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