Walmart Foundation backs ‘Raise NWA’ program to boost nonprofit impact

The Jones Center in Springdale and Bentonville consulting firm goodmakerU are partnering on an initiative aimed at raising the impact of nonprofits in Northwest Arkansas.

The “Raise NWA” program will provide a 14-month training to 20 nonprofit leaders from 10 local organizations, focusing on leadership development, communications and fundraising. The goal is to empower nonprofits in Benton and Washington counties to navigate the evolving philanthropic landscape.

Branches Mission Lab, a nonprofit creative agency based in Bentonville, started goodmakerU.

“The ‘Raise’ program provides a mindset reset and a confidence lift for nonprofit leaders, empowering them to raise awareness, raise funds and ultimately impact more lives,” said Jesse Lane, goodmakerU’s founder and CEO.

The Walmart Foundation is funding the initiative, enabling nonprofits to participate in the training program at no cost.

“We are excited to support goodmakerU and The Jones Center to empower local agency leaders in Northwest Arkansas to increase their impact,” said Angela Oxford, a senior manager at Walmart.org, which represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. “I look forward to seeing how enhancing the capabilities of local nonprofit leaders will drive even more positive change in our community.”

The Jones Center will be the partner organization for the grant.

“The Jones Center is honored to be part of this exciting collaboration,” president and CEO Terri Trotter said. “We have a long history of supporting our local nonprofit ecosystem, and with support from the Walmart Foundation and goodmakerU, we can further expand our impact.”

The deadline for nonprofit organizations in the two counties to apply for the program is Dec. 15, 2023.

For more information about the program and the application process, visit this website.