Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation continues a philanthropic vision begun by Walmart founders Sam and Helen Walton. Across diverse areas of giving that include education reform, freshwater and marine conservation and community and economic development, Walton family members carry forward the timeless Walton value of creating opportunity so that individuals and communities can live better in today’s world. While there are unmistakable similarities when it comes to Walmart founders and a vision of a better life for individuals and communities, the Walton Family Foundation exists independently of the Walmart Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Walmart. Each of these foundations operates with separate sources of funding and governance. For nearly three decades, the Walton Family Foundation has continued the philanthropic vision begun by Sam and Helen Walton. They had an unshakable belief in the power of individuals to transform their lives. Today the Walton family – Sam and Helen’s children and grandchildren – lead the foundation with a focus on awarding grants that drive not just incremental, but transformative, change. Improving K-12 Education They are working to improve K-12 outcomes for all students, especially those of limited means, by ensuring access to high-quality educational options that prepare them for a lifetime of opportunity.    Investing in Conservation that Helps Communities Thrive Sam and Helen Walton instilled in their family a love of the outdoors and a belief that a healthy environment drives a strong economy. By creating long-term solutions for protecting rivers, oceans and coasts, local communities and economies will benefit for generations to come. Giving Back to the Home Region They are focused on giving back to the area that the Walton family calls home – working to create and sustain long-term economic opportunities in the Arkansas communities that first gave Sam and Helen Walton opportunity.