THE NEW NWACS

Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter Receives $13.5 Million Grant For New Facility

In November 2008, the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter was awarded a $13.5 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation to build, furnish and equip a new Emergency Shelter, Recreation Center and Warehouse/Maintenance Building. 



The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, it is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.

THE NEED FOR A NEW CHILDREN'S SHELTER -- Opened in 1993, NWACS provides emergency care and services for more than 350 children from across the state of Arkansas each year. However, because space is limited in the current facility, almost twice that number must be turned away. The new building will make it possible to eventually double the number of children the Shelter can serve.

A VISION BECOMES REALITY -- "The vision for this new Shelter has been in the hearts and minds of staff and board for several years. It is exciting to know that the dream is actually going to become a reality," said Board President David Atwood. "We are thrilled to have been awarded a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation that will help provide a place of hope and safety to some of the most vulnerable children in our state."

Atwood and Director Tim Nichols announced the gift to the media at a press conference held at the Children's Shelter on Monday, November 10, 2008. Former Director Jack Eaton, whose dream of a new Shelter helped drive the process for several years, was in attendance, along with board members, staff and members of the Shelter's capital campaign leadership team.

(L to R) Tim Nichols, David Atwood and Jack Eaton 

The new facilities are being constructed on an 81 acre tract of land located west of Bentonville on Vaughn Road, and will consist of three buildings. View the progress.

In preparation for the construction of the new facility, the Shelter kicked off a capital campaign in January of 2008 to raise approximately $9 million. The funds will be held in endowments which will help support the day-to-day operations of the new Shelter. Approximately $5.2 million has been raised to-date toward this goal. To learn more about the capital campaign, click here.


HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Give to support our day-to-day operating expenses

Each year we must raise approximately $1.4 million through donations and fundraising events to help cover the daily operating costs of the Shelter. While the monies received from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation will provide for construction of the new facility, they do not help us meet regular, ongoing expenses such as food and utilities. Your financial support is vital to our being able to provide for the abused and neglected children we serve.

• Give to the future by contributing to the capital campaign

A new, larger facility will bring with it many opportunities - and also many challenges. An increase in the number of children we serve will also mean an increase in the cost of the services we provide. Money raised in the capital campaign will be held in endowments which will generate income to operate and sustain the new facility.

For information on how to make your gift to the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter, click here. 

Over the past 16 years, the Northwest Arkansas Children's Shelter has grown from what was once only a dream, into an organization that now has state-wide impact on the lives of abused and neglected children. We are excited about what lies ahead and looking forward with anticipation to the day when we are able to open our doors to even more children who need our help.