We actively seek out multiple stakeholders and data sets across sectors to get the clearest picture of the most pressing needs in our region.
This represents some 150,000 people that are the underpinning of our region and yet often go unnoticed.
They are employed but at high-risk of financial instability (also known as asset limited/income constrained-employed or “ALICE”). This is the target population of Excellerate.
Hark connects people to resources while providing an accurate and near real-time view of the largest gaps in our community through a robust and comprehensive database.
We bring together stakeholders across multiple sectors—philanthropy, business, government, and others—so that we can achieve more together than we can alone.
In some cases, Excellerate only connects organizations with complementary missions that might not know that others are fighting a similar fight. However, we often join the discussion to see where we can make a difference, which sometimes leads to us taking a more proactive role.
While Northwest Arkansas is resource rich, it is also connection poor. Connecting people to the community resources they need is why we founded Hark at Excellerate Foundation in 2017.
Since then, Hark has helped thousands of individuals and families with comprehensive, individualized “client plans” using the most extensive map of regional resources ever created—more than 1000 referrals across 10 social determinants of health and 50 areas of need. Hark then follows up with clients to ensure that they connect to service providers.
To create long-lasting, fundamental change, the systems that shape our daily lives must be transformed. But this is no easy task. It requires strategy, diligence, collaboration, and decisive action.
So we dedicate ourselves to excellence while pushing ourselves to match the urgency of the need. We Excellerate.
As a participant, convener, facilitator, or leader to drive systemic change.
As a demonstrator of novel concepts that can be built upon by the community.
As a strategic partner with co-investments and co-working teams.
As an investor providing financial resources through various means when data shows that to be the best course of action.
As an incubator when there is a gap in the community and additional business acumen is needed to start the organization that can fill it.
See Hark
And as a data resource providing the clearest possible picture of what is going on in our community at multiple levels to the various organizations within Northwest Arkansas.
Identify
Census data shows that there are tens of thousands of people having to pay rents in excess of 30% to 50% of their income just to house their families. This is unsustainable.
Connect
Excellerate has partnered with New Heights Church, Strategic Realty, and many others to explore the possibilities around creating affordable communities through the low-income housing tax credit program (LIHTC).
Drive
Cobblestone Farm Community will bring together nearly 100 families from diverse circumstances, with most residing in two-to-three bedroom duplexes that range between $400 and $650 in monthly rent. It will also include some market-rate housing to encourage the development of a mixed-income neighborhood.
Social Support
Building social networks across socioeconomic lines benefits all those involved and leads to transformative action that betters the lives of everyone.
Social Support
Human rights and the dignity of every individual must be protected and strengthened so that all people in Northwest Arkansas can thrive.
Housing
There is more to solving the lack of affordable housing than building more infrastructure. We must build communities.
Education
Intervening as early as possible in children's formative years to ensure developmental opportunities are accessible and toxic stress is mitigated is key to ensuring their long term health, happiness, and success.
Education
Philanthropic, academic and employer stakeholders came together in 2021 to address workforce shortages in Northwest Arkansas. Our shared goal is to provide opportunities to upskill current residents into high demand careers throughout our community.
Social Support
Excellerate has partnered with Potter’s House to see how its model of creating diverse social networks can be expanded to include family-to-family relationships.
Housing
Cobblestone Farm Community aims to provide affordable housing to low-income families in a diverse, inclusive environment with additional services and resources that will help them thrive.
Housing
Much of Bentonville's workforce struggles to find affordable housing within the city.
A partnership was formed with the city of Bentonville staff, Bentonville city council, local developers, city of Bentonville planning commissioners, social service pro...
Education
Collaborating to provide early childhood development to hundreds of preschool children in Northwest Arkansas.
Education
Upskill NWA will empower and prepare residents of Northwest Arkansas to pursue in-demand careers that have opportunities for advancement and provide financial stability for their families.
