Whitaker Family Foundation donates $5 million to Arkansas Children’s NWA expansion

Arkansas Children’s announced Thursday (Oct. 24) a $5 million gift from the Whitaker Family Foundation to expand the hospital’s Northwest Arkansas facilities.

Arkansas Children’s system-wide historic expansion aims to increase access to pediatric care, enhance exceptional outcomes for children and elevate patient experience at ACNW and Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

The ACNW expansion, which kicked off in early 2024, will include added surgical space, more operating rooms, procedure rooms, hospital beds and additional clinic space.

“We are deeply committed to serving children and families in northwest Arkansas, including my own family,” said Larry Whitaker, chairman of the Whitaker Family Foundation. “Some of my grandchildren have been patients at Arkansas Children’s Northwest (ACNW), and it is gratifying to know that philanthropic contributions helped bring ACNW to fruition, providing the 200,000 children living in this region convenient access to comprehensive pediatric medical care.”

The Whitaker Family Foundation extends four generations. The pioneer of the family, C. Don Whitaker, was the manager of the first Walmart store, and one of the very first personnel hired by Sam Walton.

“This generous gift has involved most of the Whitaker family as they continue to express their support of pediatric health care and research,” said Fred Scarborough, executive vice president and chief development officer at Arkansas Children’s. “Thousands of children and families in northwest Arkansas and beyond have access to a wide range of pediatric care…from the routine to the extraordinary thanks to the generosity of the Whitaker Family Foundation. We are beyond grateful for their continued partnership and support.”

The ACNW campus is located in Springdale right off of I-49 at the Don Tyson Parkway exit.