The Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, a philanthropic organization headquartered in Little Rock, has announced a significant investment of $90,000 to broaden its Women’s Economic Mobility Hub (WEM Hub) into Northwest Arkansas. This initiative aims to enhance support for women entrepreneurs in the region.

Partnerships for Empowerment

This expansion is made possible through collaboration with Conexión de Negocios Latinos, a nonprofit based in Springdale that focuses on assisting local entrepreneurs. Additionally, the initiative receives backing from the Walton Family Foundation, a key funding partner in this venture.

Goals and Impact

“Our goal has always been to close opportunity gaps for women in Arkansas,” stated Anna Beth Gorman, CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas. “Thanks to the support and partnership with Conexión de Negocios Latinos and the Walton Family Foundation, we’re able to realize our dream of expanding the WEM Hub program into other corners of the state, allowing us to build on the thriving entrepreneurial spirit in Northwest Arkansas.”

The initiative will facilitate access to essential resources for women entrepreneurs, providing them with tools and support in both English and Spanish.

Program Details

Running through October, the program will feature monthly bilingual workshops conducted by staff from Conexión de Negocios Latinos alongside regional professionals. These workshops will cover critical topics, including:

• Marketing
• Digital support
• Taxes
• Access to capital

Approximately 25 women entrepreneurs from various sectors, such as food service, personal care, and marketing, will participate. They hail from different areas throughout Northwest Arkansas.

Funding and Future Aspirations

According to Sarah Riffle, chief growth officer of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas, the $90,000 grant allocated to Conexión de Negocios Latinos is part of the Foundation’s annual grantmaking strategy aimed at boosting women’s economic mobility statewide. “This grant was made possible through support from the Walton Family Foundation, a key funding partner of the WEM Hub,” Riffle added.

Upon completing the program, participants will be awarded a $1,000 unrestricted grant. Riffle mentioned that this pilot initiative serves as a foundational step toward establishing a sustainable program in the area.