The Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas announced Thursday it has secured a $1 million challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation, effectively doubling its recent fundraising success and unlocking what the organization calls a “transformational investment” for local families.
The grant, which matches dollar-for-dollar the $1 million the fund raised over the past two years, brings the total available for scholarships to $2 million. That’s enough to provide 200 scholarships at $10,000 each — a significant jump from the roughly 75 scholarships the fund has awarded annually in recent years.
Based in Bentonville, the fund serves single parents across Benton and Washington counties who are pursuing higher education or job training. Since its founding in 2016, it has awarded more than 500 scholarships, helping students cover tuition, books, and childcare costs.
“This is going to change the trajectory of families for generations,” said Emily Harris, the fund’s executive director. “We’re not just helping someone finish a degree — we’re helping them build a stable future for their kids.”
The Mabee Foundation, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is known for supporting education and community development in Arkansas and surrounding states. The challenge grant required the fund to raise $1 million by May 21, 2025 — a goal it met through a mix of corporate sponsors, individual donors, and community events.
Harris said the grant will allow the fund to expand its reach significantly, especially among families in Washington County, where demand has historically outpaced available scholarships. Priority is given to applicants enrolled in or accepted to programs at the University of Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Community College, or other regionally accredited institutions.
Single parents in the region face steep barriers to education. Many work full-time jobs while managing childcare and coursework, often without family support nearby. The average scholarship covers about 60% of a student’s educational costs, Harris said, with some receiving additional help through emergency grants for car repairs, medical bills, or housing assistance.
One recent recipient, Maria Gonzalez, used her scholarship to complete a nursing program at Northwest Arkansas Community College. She now works full time at a local clinic and is paying her education costs forward by volunteering with the fund’s mentorship program.
“Without the scholarship, I wouldn’t have been able to finish,” Gonzalez said. “It wasn’t just the money — it was knowing that someone believed in me.”
The fund plans to open its next application cycle in August. Applications are reviewed quarterly, with awards announced in October, January, April, and July. Students must be Arkansas residents, enrolled at least half-time, and able to demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to those within 50 miles of Bentonville.
Corporate donors including Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services contributed major gifts toward the challenge. Local businesses and community members also played a role — the fund hosted several small events over the past two years, including trivia nights and donation drives, to build awareness and support.
Harris said the organization is now focused on long-term sustainability and aims to establish an endowment that can support 300 scholarships annually. That would mean raising an additional $3 million, based on current award levels.
“We’re not done yet,” Harris said. “This grant gives us the runway to think bigger.”
Source: Talk Business & Politics
