An official announcement of a $300,000 grant for Bentonville High School's planned fine-arts facility came Friday at a news conference announcing the first round of funding from the Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation.
The grant to the school district came on recommendation from trustees of the Bates Charitable Trust, which has a donor-advised fund within the foundation.
The $300,000 is for construction of the school's arts center.
From a total of $480,000 in a trust fund, $100,000 went to the Bella Vista Community Arts Center and $80,000 went to the Bentonville Bella Vista Trailblazers Association.
The Northwest Medical Center of Washington County Auxiliary also has a donor-advised fund with the regional foundation. The auxiliary's grant committee recommended to the foundation — and the foundation board approved — that $3,000 is to go to the Bentonville School District for general operating costs of the Bentonville Education and Enrichment Program. Also, the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative will get $12,000 for general costs of the Early Childhood Program; and Washington County Teen Court will get $6,000 for new equipment and travel expenses.
The Northwest Medical Center of Washington County Auxiliary also has a donor-advised fund with the regional foundation. The auxiliary's grant committee recommended to the foundation — and the foundation board approved — that $3,000 is to go to the Bentonville School District for general operating costs of the Bentonville Education and Enrichment Program. Also, the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative will get $12,000 for general costs of the Early Childhood Program; and Washington County Teen Court will get $6,000 for new equipment and travel expenses.
The Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation was founded in 1998 as the Community Foundation of Bentonville/Bella Vista. In 1999, its purpose was expanded to included all of Northwest Arkansas and to serve as the lead public foundation operated in connection with CommunityCare Foundation Inc.
