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Stenkirke Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.7M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,365,500
  • Success Rate: N/A (invite-only)
  • Decision Time: N/A (pre-selected organizations)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $700,000
  • Geographic Focus: Arkansas, California, Texas

Contact Details

  • Mailing Address: PO Box 930, Siloam Springs, AR 72761-0930
  • Website: None
  • Phone: Not available
  • Email: Not available
  • EIN: 82-5206504

Overview

The Stenkirke Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2019 with assets of approximately $13 million. The foundation distributes over $1.3 million annually to pre-selected charitable organizations, with a focus on education, human services, and philanthropy. Founded and led by the Soderquist family, with deep roots in Northwest Arkansas through their connection to Walmart's leadership legacy, the foundation operates on an invite-only basis. Wendy Soderquist Togami, daughter of former Walmart COO Don Soderquist, serves as president. The foundation's strategic approach emphasizes supporting established organizations with proven track records in their focus areas, particularly in Arkansas, California, and Texas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but makes discretionary grants to pre-selected organizations:

  • General Support Grants: $1,000 - $700,000 (median grant $6,000)
  • Distribution Method: Invite-only, no public application process

Priority Areas

  • Education
  • Human Services
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations

What They Don't Fund

As an invite-only funder that pre-selects recipients, the foundation effectively excludes all unsolicited requests. Their Form 990 explicitly states they "only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and do not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Governance and Leadership

All positions are volunteer (unpaid):

  • President/Director: Wendy Soderquist Togami - Daughter of former Walmart COO Don Soderquist; adjunct faculty at John Brown University; 17-year founding director of the Soderquist Leadership Center
  • Vice President: Zachary G. Koons
  • Treasurer: Christian S. Koons
  • Secretary: Kinsley J. Whitworth
  • Director: Timothy Kai Togami

The foundation maintains strong ties to the Soderquist family's philanthropic legacy in Northwest Arkansas, including longstanding support for John Brown University and leadership development initiatives.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states in their tax filings that they "only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations and do not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded entirely at the discretion of the board to organizations they have identified and vetted independently.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's connection to the Soderquist family and their deep involvement in Northwest Arkansas philanthropy, organizations might increase visibility through:

  • Engagement with John Brown University's Donald G. Soderquist College of Business, where Wendy Soderquist Togami serves as adjunct faculty
  • Participation in leadership development initiatives connected to the Soderquist Leadership Center network
  • Visibility in the Northwest Arkansas nonprofit community, particularly in education and human services sectors
  • Building relationships within the broader Walmart alumni philanthropic network in the region

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - organizations are pre-selected by the board

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - invite-only funding model

Application Success Factors

Since the Stenkirke Family Foundation operates on an invite-only basis, traditional application strategies do not apply. Based on their giving patterns and leadership background:

  • The foundation appears to favor established organizations with strong track records and clear metrics of impact
  • Geographic presence in Arkansas, particularly Northwest Arkansas, appears to be advantageous given the family's regional ties
  • Organizations working in education may benefit from the Soderquist family's long history of supporting educational institutions
  • The foundation's median grant of $6,000 suggests they support a mix of smaller community organizations alongside larger institutional grants
  • Given the family's Walmart leadership legacy and involvement with the Soderquist Leadership Center, organizations focused on leadership development and organizational effectiveness may align well with their interests

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is an invite-only funder - do not submit unsolicited proposals or inquiries
  • Focus on relationship building and visibility within the Northwest Arkansas philanthropic community
  • The foundation has substantial capacity ($1.3+ million annual giving) but operates with complete discretion
  • Strong connections to the Walmart alumni network and John Brown University ecosystem may provide networking opportunities
  • With a median grant of $6,000 but maximum grants up to $700,000, they support organizations at various scales
  • The all-volunteer board structure suggests a family-directed approach to giving with personal involvement in funding decisions
  • Organizations in education, human services, and philanthropic infrastructure are most aligned with their priorities

References

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