update
Upskill Grads Average $33K Salary Increase
Upskill NWA Graduates See Average of $33,000 Salary Increase - New Recruiting Cycles Now Open
in the news
Cobblestone Farm Community Ribbon Cutting
Northwest Arkansas organizations gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Cobblestone Farm Community in West Fayetteville. Collaboration was key to providing affordable this needed housing to approximately 300 people via the new 89-unit development.
In the news
NBC Nightly News Features McAuley Place
Excellerate Foundation, Bentonville Schools, and McAuley Place were recently featured on NBC Nightly News. // " Hope for public school teachers priced out of housing - An innovative program in Bentonville, Arkansas, is building housing specifically designed for public school employees who can’t afford to buy homes in the very community where they work. NBC News’ George Solis reports." To read and watch the full episode: https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/hope-for-public-school-teachers-priced-out-of-housing-239992901655
in the news
HUD director Turner hears details of McAuley Place projects
BENTONVILLE -- "Two prominent political figures, U.S. Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., and Scott Turner, the U.S. secretary of housing and urban development (HUD), visited a school and other regional sites Tuesday to speak on affordable housing...I just want to find ways where we can tell people about this, because this is an issue all around our country. It exemplifies the power of private-local partnership," Turner said.
Update
Brad Sikorski Appointed President/CEO
Excellerate Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Sikorski as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 24, 2025.
UPDATE
Jeff Webster to Retire April 2025
Excellerate Foundation today announced the upcoming retirement of its President/CEO, Jeff Webster, who will step down from his role in April 2025. A rigorous search is now in process, with a current resident of the region with extensive business acumen being the ideal candidate. Webster’s successor is planned to be in place by the end of 2024, to allow for a generous transition period.
UPDATE
ERA2RFP
*DEADLINE September 27th, 2024* Excellerate Housing is seeking interested RFP applicants for ERA 2 Affordable Housing. The purpose of this RFP is to increase the affordable housing stock in Washington County, Arkansas (County). Excellerate Housing (EH) is seeking applications from for-profit or nonprofit housing developers which, when approved by EH, will result in development agreement(s) to increase the number of affordable housing units in Washington County.
MEET THE BOARD
Meet the Board | Will Gladden
We are excited to introduce another of our new board members, Will Gladden from Signature Bank, who needs no introduction. We are extremely grateful to have him join the Excellerate Foundation board.
in the news
McAuley Place secures $18.7 million affordable housing in Bentonville
Excellerate Housing LLC, a subsidiary of Excellerate Foundation, confirmed the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) and The Walton Family Foundation are providing a portion of the funding for McAuley Place. $13.8 million in federal tax credits and state loans will go toward the project. The Walton Family Foundation awarded a $4.9 million grant to Excellerate Housing to support infrastructure and other development costs.
update
Apply for Benton County Relief Funds
The Benton County Relief Fund, a partnership for Benton County cities and citizens, aims to provide short-term financial assistance to Benton County households and nonprofit organizations impacted by the devastating storms of May 26, 2024. Learn how to apply here.
Photo Credit: Will Rusch
Photo Credit: Will Rusch
update
Benton County Relief Fund Created to Aid Storm Victims
The Benton County Relief Fund, a partnership for Benton County cities and citizens, announced that it is providing short-term financial assistance to Benton County households impacted by the devastating storms of May 26, 2024. The Fund will also support local nonprofit service providers for their disaster responses for Benton County and all affected communities therein.
Photo Credit: Will Rusch
Photo Credit: Will Rusch
UPDATE
HOMES Program Launch at McAuley Place Groundbreaking
Excellerate Foundation launches the HOMES (Home Ownership Mutual Equity Solutions) program at the McAuley Place groundbreaking event, revolutionizing home ownership for Bentonville educators and district employees.
IN THE NEWS
Solutions for affordable housing
SFGATE Feature: Excellerate Housing Spearheads Solutions for Affordable Housing in Northwest Arkansas
MEET THE BOARD
Meet the Board | Dr. Lucas Campbell
We are honored to share the next new member to Excellerate Foundation's board, Dr. Lucas Campbell.
Meet the Board
Meet the Board | Yvette Murphy-Erby
Our Meet the Board series is back and we are excited to share some new faces! First up, Dr. Yvette Murphy-Erby.
LISTEN
Episode 12, the underview podcast | the people
Listen to Episode 12 of the underview podcast with Mike Rusch & Jeff Webster.
IN the News
Arkansas, Texas districts tackle teacher housing
BENTONVILLE -- Two school districts -- one in Arkansas, the other in Texas -- want to provide affordable housing for teachers and are taking different paths to do so.
Excellerate Housing
Excellerate Housing and Coalition Partners Announce McAuley Place
Public/Private Partnership Will Bring 200 Affordable Rental Units to Bentonville
Excellerate Foundation Receives Prestigious 2023 Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships from HUD, Council on Foundations
On June 14th, Jeff Webster, President/CEO of Excellerate Foundation, and Carol Silva Moralez, President/CEO of Upskill NWA, were in Denver at the Leading Locally conference to receive the prestigious 2023 HUD Secretary's Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships presented by HUD and the Council on Foundations.
meet the board
Meet the Board | Julio Echegoyen
We have been introducing the newest members of our board over the past few months. Our final board member to introduce is the amazing Julio Echegoyen!
Meet the board
Meet the Board | Ryan Faust
Let's keep the Meet the Board series rolling! Next up in our crew of new board members, Ryan Faust.
meet the board
Meet the Board | Robin Eason
We are thrilled to share our next rockstar board member, Robin Eason!
In the News
Washington County provides $1.7 million for affordable housing project; partnership will work with government, business, nonprofit groups
Washington County provides $1.7 million for affordable housing project; partnership will work with government, business, nonprofit groups.
meet the board
Meet the Board | Curtiss Smith
We are excited to feature the newest members of the Excellerate Foundation Board. Today, our board member highlight is Pastor Curtiss Smith!
hark
Hark Working with Fayetteville Police Department Crisis Intervention Team
Leaders from the Fayetteville Police Department's crisis intervention team presented to local health professionals about the CIT's work to get resources to people in need and prevent people in jail that do not need to be there.
Hark works directly with the FPD and CIT to connect people to the resources they need.
Hark works directly with the FPD and CIT to connect people to the resources they need.
in the news
Axios Feature: NWA Needs Healthcare Workers
Check out this article by Axios Northwest Arkansas', Alex Golden, featuring Heartland Forward's research for the future of healthcare workers in NWA. As our community grows, having a robust and growing healthcare workforce is essential. Thank you to Alex and Axios for highlighting Upskill NWA.
in the news
Axios Feature: Upskill NWA boosts health care students
Another great opportunity to sit down with the team at Axios to discuss Upskill NWA as its first semester is underway.
In The News
Upskill NWA provides training, support for students in medical fields
Upskill NWA provides training, support for students in medical fields in Northwest Arkansas.
Update
Leading NWA Businesses Invest $40 Million In Affordable Communities
Cross-sector effort will bring 345 affordable rental units to the region.
In The News
Axios Feature: A Conversation on Workforce Development in Northwest Arkansas
On November 2nd, Excellerate Foundation President / CEO, Jeff Webster, had the privilege of sitting down with the team at Axios to discuss our work to accelerate workforce growth for our region. You can watch here.
Update
Carol Silva Moralez Appointed President / CEO Upskill NWA
Upskill NWA Appoints Carol Silva Moralez As President / CEO
In the News
Time-Tested Upskill NWA Program Combines College Assistance with Career Placement
Time-Tested Upskill NWA Program Combines College Assistance with Career Placement
in the news
Northwest Arkansas group gearing up to upgrade work skills
Northwest Arkansas group gearing up to upgrade work skills with higher paying jobs the goal.
In The News
Upskill NWA to retrain workers for open jobs
A new organization, Upskill NWA, is launching to train and equip low-income workers for new career opportunities.
In the news
NWA Council focuses on workforce development, talent attraction, affordable housing
Northwest Arkansas group gearing up to upgrade work skills with higher paying jobs the goal.
Update
Upskill NWA Launches to Create Career Opportunities for Low-Income Workers
Upskill NWA—a new organization that will expand the local workforce for high demand industries—is launching in Northwest Arkansas to provide a path to higher wage jobs for lower income families. Excellerate Foundation and Walton Family Foundation are providing $3M for a three-year roll out phase.
HARK
Rental Assistance Recipient Shares Experience with Hark
Hark at Excellerate Foundation Community Liaison, Joe Collura, sits down with Kylie Marshall who was kind enough to share her experience working with Hark and the Rental Assistance program.
Community
Benton County Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program
In partnership with Benton County, Excellerate Foundation will distribute federal funds to provide Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) to residents.
MEET THE BOARD
Meet The Board | Rick Parsons
Each month, we will be featuring one member of the Excellerate Foundation Board. Our March board member highlight is Rick Parsons.
Meet The Board
Meet The Board | Steve Lane
Each month, we will be featuring one member of the Excellerate Foundation Board. First up, our Chairman, Steve Lane.
In The News
Excellerate Foundation Deploys $2.5 Million in Response to Pandemic
With a new name to reflect its renewed mission, Excellerate is helping thousands in Northwest Arkansas who are struggling due to COVID-19.
Community
Our Commitment to Equity
We will not stand by while our neighbors of color live in pain, anguish, fear, and isolation.
IN THE NEWS
Josh Hall Celebrate Magazine's Ones to Watch 2020 List
Josh Hall, Vice President at Excellerate Foundation and Executive Director of Hark at Excellerate Foundation, was named to Celebrate Magazine's Ones to Watch 2020 List. Click to read the full article.
Update
Driving Toward the Future
Endeavor is now Excellerate, which reflects our ongoing commitment to excellence and a new focus on accelerating decisive action.
Community
The Creation of Hark
Identifying individual needs and building connections to resources through custom resource plans, innovative technology, leveraged data, and community collaborations.
Community
Responding to COVID-19
In the midst of crisis, Excellerate has stepped forward to help thousands who are struggling in Northwest Arkansas.
