Walton Family Foundation Kicks Off Health-Focused Competition
by January 28, 2016 2:35 pm 123 views
In case you haven’t noticed, Bentonville is on a bit of a health kick. Case in point: the newly expanded culinary school will be dabbling in culinary medicine, cyclists have begun zipping down the Razorback Regional Greenway bike trails, a farmer’s market to rival many a big-city market is thriving, and a slew of eateries are now serving up a farm-to-table nosh.
To keep the momentum going, Walton family heirs Tom and Steuart Walton, grandsons of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. founder Sam Walton, have announced a plan to fund a contest dubbed the “Innovation Competition,” a Walton Family Foundation initiative that seeks to underwrite a winning idea (or ideas) focused on healthy living.
Specifically, the contest calls for participants to submit ideas that will improve downtown Bentonville while promoting healthy living and/or downtown beautification. A community garden, outdoor recreation programs, improved landscaping, public art; all are possibilities that could nab the prize, which consists of grants ranging in size up to $25,000. The funding caps off at $50,000.
At its heart, the contest appears to be an effort to involve community members in the growth trek the area has been on for the past few years.
“While big changes are coming to our corner of the state, we know that remaining a close-knit community and preserving our small-town quality of life is vital,” the brothers explained in a letter posted on the WFF website.
According to the guidelines, those who can compete include either a 501(c) organization or a public entity; however, individuals are not shut out. Any individual with a creative idea is asked to contact [email protected] for assistance in finding a qualifying partner organization.
Proposals are due no later than Feb. 15, and a winner or winners will be announced by the end of March.