Walton Family Foundation

For more than 30 years, we’ve been committed to helping leaders and organizations in the Mississippi-Arkansas Delta build lasting impact. This includes working to strengthen schools and educational programs, support small businesses and economic opportunity, and invest in the innovators working to make an inclusive, equitable and thriving Delta a reality. But big change requires a roadmap. Which is why — after many thoughtful conversations with people who call the Delta home — we built a playbook to have all our partners on the same page. We call it our “Theory of Change.” Take a look! It’s just the start of the conversation: https://ow.ly/NYqy50RG8UW #MississippiDelta #ArkansasDelta #CommunityEmpowerment #CommunityImpact #Philanthropy #Collaboration #EconomicDevelopment #EducationInnovation #FutureofWork #CareerPathways

Northwest Arkansas residents continue to view the region as a great place to live, with two-thirds rating their quality of life as “excellent” or “very good” in our latest Quality of Life Survey Report. While the positive perceptions about Northwest Arkansas’ quality of life remain high, the report highlights that affordability and infrastructure challenges are impacting residents’ access to key resources. Read more about the survey findings and key insights: https://ow.ly/wSMh50SP4gW

We’re excited, along with Gallup to announce a new research series with Lisa Damour, PhD, best-selling author and clinical psychologist, to advance ongoing research into the experiences of Gen Z. To mark the launch of this research, together we’re releasing a new survey about Gen Z’s support systems and emotional lives. Read the news release and learn more about the research findings: https://ow.ly/I7cR50SNrqn

Exciting news in education! The Learning Agency has just announced the winners of the 2023-24 Tools Competition, the largest ed tech competition in the world. Today's students need bold solutions to prepare them for tomorrow's world, and each of these winners is helping lead that charge. We are proud to partner with The Learning Agency to support these groundbreaking initiatives. This year's winners are projected to impact over 24 million learners worldwide, leveraging cutting-edge technology to tackle critical issues in education–from early childhood to adult learning. Congratulations to the winners! Learn more about the winners here: https://ow.ly/Q88s50SKsun

Earlier this month, we connected visionary leaders in education ahead of the Essence Festival to share perspectives on education-related issues, from AI to empowering youth voices. Thank you to all who shared their insights: - Frances Messano, CEO, NewSchools - Shannon Currie, VP, BSG - Curtis Valentine, Co-Director, Reinventing America’s Schools (Progressive Policy Institute) - Rhonda Brussard, CEO and Founder, Beloved Community - Martina Efeyini, Science Communications Advisor, The Aspen Institute - Perpetual Baffour, Research and Development Director and Data Scientist, The Learning Agency - Jornea Armant, Principal Head of Engagement, Microsoft Learning - Khari Johnson, Senior Staff Writer, WIRED - Iris Adler, Principal, Comp Sci High School - Heather Harding, Executive Director, Campaign for our Shared Future - Dr. Dawn Henderson, Director of Research, Village of Wisdom - Maia Blankenship, Co-CEO, Black Wildflowers Fund - Antwann Nourse, WFF Director of Workplace Effectiveness, DEI & Culture - Donielle Lee, WFF Senior Communications Officer - Alisha Torres, WFF Senior Program Support Associate

Tonight: Join a live conversation hosted by PBS News Hour about protecting the vital water resources in the Colorado Water System! Our own Ted Kowalski shares more about the event from behind the scenes. Join the live conversation at 7pm ET: https://lnkd.in/gcJFGNwK

Thanks to Jobs for the Future (JFF) for creating the space for important conversations about career pathways in education! Earlier this week, Senior Program Officer Brienne Bellavita moderated a panel at #JFFHorizons on how philanthropies, non-profits, employers and government can collaborate to unlock solutions and maximize their impact in education and career pathways. It was insightful to hear from the experts who shared their critical perspectives: Dr. Erin Bibo of CityWorks DC, Antwanye Ford of Enlightened, Inc and Clara Botstein of the District of Columbia Office of Education Through Employment Pathways. Leaders in education also discussed how reimagining high school to include career pathways can help all students achieve success. Great insights were shared by Kimberly Smith of Digital Promise, Rubin Morris of the Alabama Aerospace & Aviation High School, Indiana Sec. of Education Katie Jenner and Jenny Kane of Bloomberg Philanthropies. Thank you to all of our expert speakers — your perspectives are key to shaping the future of education!

What does the future hold for the Colorado River and the 40 million people who depend on it? Join PBS News Hour tonight at 7:00 PM ET in a live discussion exploring the complex dynamics between the Colorado River Basin states as they work with the federal government to navigate an uncertain future. Guests will include Sen. Mark Kelley, former Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and leaders from the field. Tune in: https://ow.ly/VkWW50SJc87

Have questions about the future of the Colorado River? Now's your chance to ask! On Wednesday, July 24th at 7:00 pm E.T., PBS News Hour will dive deep into the challenges facing the Colorado River Basin in a special livestream, "Tipping Point: Colorado River Reckoning." Submit your questions now to be part of this critical discussion about the future of the Colorado River and the millions who depend on it: https://ow.ly/FIY750SHMkp

Preparing the next generation for the workforce of the future is a matter of national security. We need talent in key industries like AI, fintech, biotech, and more. To tackle this challenge head-on, we partnered with The Aspen Institute to bring together experts for two roundtables this year. Read the full report from these discussions and how we can cultivate the next generation of innovators and leaders in the industries that will shape our future: https://ow.ly/hMt450SHolK