Sam and Helen Walton had an unshakeable belief in the power of people to transform their own lives. As Sam said, there is no limit to what individuals can accomplish if “given the opportunity, the encouragement and the incentive to do their best.” Today that “no limits” philosophy is carried forward by their descendants through the Walton Family Foundation.
The Home Region Division’s goal is to honor the Walton Family’s special and ongoing commitment to the region where they launched one of the best known American business success stories, by creating and sustaining long-term economic development for residents and business in the area. The Home Region’s annual grant budget is in excess of $40 million.
The Home Region accomplishes this goal through two initiatives:
• Northwest Arkansas – focused on attracting and retaining top talent at all levels and ensuring the long-term viability of the region.
• Delta Region of Arkansas and Mississippi - focused on addressing key basic needs in targeted counties in order to establish a base on which future economic development can occur.
What you’ll do
• Program Officers work in a small, entrepreneurial team under the supervision of the Director of the foundation’s Home Region Program.
• You will help shape a strategy for supporting an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas.
• You will manage relationships with grantees and potential grantees including seeking and performing due diligence on proposals aligned with the foundation’s strategies, particularly in the area of economic development and entrepreneurship.
• You will shepherd proposals through the foundation’s approval process and monitor grantee progress toward objectives.
• You will identify potential new partnerships and opportunities including identifying other funding partners to engage in the Northwest Arkansas region.
• You will assist grantees in developing and implementing monitoring, maintenance, and funding strategies that lead to the achievement of strategic goals.
• You will work with Foundation evaluation staff to implement and refine the Foundation’s monitoring and evaluation program.
• You will participate in the development of the Home Region Program’s strategic plans.
• You will collaborate with the foundation’s communications team in the ongoing development and execution of a strategic communications plan to support Home Region Program work.
Who we’re looking for
The Walton Family Foundation is seeking a skilled, highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual to join the foundation’s Bentonville, Arkansas office as a Program Officer for the Home Region team.
• You are an ambassador with the ability to give and receive feedback graciously
• You know how to build effective relationships and networks to achieve results
• You are a self-directed and decisive problem solver who can also be flexible
• You are a superior communicator who treats everyone with respect
• You have an analytical approach to evaluating and monitoring grantee proposals and processes
• You have an intellectual agility and the ability to analyze, think critically, and understand emerging issues that are directly relevant to programmatic funding areas
• You possess unquestionable ethics and personal integrity
• You are an effective team member who is also able to act independently
• You are willing to make a passionate commitment to the goals of the Walton Family Foundation
Basic Qualifications
The Program Officer must possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:
• A Bachelor’s degree
• At least 5 years professional work experience, preferably in entrepreneurship where you had interaction with both internal and external customers
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• A valid driver’s license and ability to travel
Additional preferred experience includes:
• Relevant master’s degree or higher
• Nonprofit organization leadership
• Grant development and management
• Deep knowledge of start-up communities
