The end of the year is finally here and while the spirit of philanthropy might be more evident during the holiday season, there are several Northwest Arkansas-based organizations who work to give back year-round. We’ve provided a short list of these organizations – learn more about their mission and how to get involved!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Arkansas
For those unfamiliar with the nationwide program, Big Brothers Big Sisters is a free mentorship program dedicated to pairing children with older mentors. These services are provided in a variety of ways, such as bringing mentors to schools, the BBBS office or by spending time together throughout the community. The Northwest Arkansas chapter of the organization has been based in Fayetteville for 30 years, serving both Benton County and Washington County. At the start of the organization’s three decades of mentor-matching was its very first match in Fayetteville.
“We have some strong ties to Fayetteville, both with our first matches and we have a wonderful program with the Fayetteville school systems. We probably serve five different elementary schools, and it’s a really great way for Fayetteville kids to get to know each other and for the high schoolers to go back to the elementary schools they grew up in,” said Madeline Doran, director of marketing and strategy..
Although active throughout the year, the holiday season is a special time for the BBBS program. The organization hosts a celebration for its matches and their families, which Doran defines as a “great time to bring everyone together and really get into the holiday spirit.”
The organization is regularly looking for support to continue its mission. Whether it be through contributing to fundraisers or by volunteering to be a mentor, volunteering with BBBS of Northwest Arkansas is a great way to give back to our community.
Northwest Arkansas Harm Reduction
Northwest Arkansas Harm Reduction works to provide individuals dealing with addiction and substance use free resources (such as Narcan) and educational materials necessary to remain safe on the road to recovery – no questions asked. The organization was founded in 2022 by Brittany Kelly after witnessing her brother wrestling with addiction struggles.
“We didn’t really know anything about harm reduction, and it wasn’t until I learned more and educated myself that I really dove into it and saw the benefits of it,” Kelly said.
Alongside its focus on aiding individuals in active addiction and substance use, one of the goals with the nonprofit was to remove any negative stigma around the topics by providing educational materials to the community, including safe practices and vocabulary terms.
“That kind of outreach gives people a chance to feel like they’re a part of the community and making a difference and feel accepted,” Kelly said.
Kelly and the Northwest Arkansas Harm Reduction team are completely volunteer-based, so, instead of having a headquarters, the organization is mobile. Community members interested in the organization's rehabilitation services, whether it be requesting supplies or educational materials, can reach out via a text hotline or their website to learn more.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit on a mission to provide sanctuary for animals all over the world that have been victims of the exotic pet trade. The organization has saved over 500 animals in its 30 years of operation, including lions, tigers, leopards and cougars. Once saved, the refuge provides a home for the animals until the end of their life, as they can no longer be safely returned back into the wild.
"Every rescue tells a story of compassion and commitment," said Cheryl King, Marketing Director for the nonprofit. "Our recent rescue from Canada is a perfect example of how far we're willing to go to give these animals the care and safety they deserve."
Currently, the nonprofit is hosting around 120 animals on 459 acres of land. Members of the public are able to visit the saved animals through various means, including open-air tram tours and lodging options.
“We are the animals’ voices, telling their stories and where they come from, why they’re here and why they can never be released back into the wild as captive animals,” King said.
Although community members cannot work directly with the animals due to safety concerns, Fayetteville community members can provide support in several other ways. The organization provides a sponsorship program for its animals and accepts donations year-round.
CASA of Northwest Arkansas
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to recruiting, training and supervising volunteers to advocate for children who are experiencing foster care. The nonprofit has been based in Fayetteville for over 25 years and has successfully served every child in need of their services.
“Our primary focus is being able to recruit enough volunteers to be consistently meeting children's needs,” said Ryan Clements, Volunteer Services Manager.
Alongside CASA’s core mission, the nonprofit offers the CASA Closet, a year-round program that provides gifts and clothing for families that may not be able to afford them – judgment-free.
“We’re giving them to caregivers and saying, ‘put these under your tree, say they’re from you or from Santa…however it makes Christmas the most magical,” Clements said.
In addition to financial donations, the CASA team is always looking for volunteers, especially males and bilingual individuals. Volunteers go through a five-week training process before they are eligible to handle their first case.
“(At the time of this interview), we have almost 30 kids in Washington County who are waiting for an advocate.”
Walton Arts Center
Walton Arts Center is a nonprofit based in Fayetteville on a mission to bring great performing artists to Northwest Arkansas in order to connect and engage all people through inspiring arts experiences. Although the organization might be primarily recognized for its schedule of live theater, comedy and music throughout the year, Walton Arts Center also is responsible for a variety of community-focused programs.
“We want to help people build empathy and a sense of community by seeing themselves and their neighbors represented on stage, and to make the arts something everyone can access and enjoy,” said Sallie Zazal, Director of Learning and Engagement.
Walton Arts Center’s programs include Take a Seat, which gives free tickets to nonprofit partners for their clients, 10x10 Arts Series, which provides $10 tickets for each of the ten shows in the series, the Classroom Series, which brings teacher and students to performances for free, and the newly-introduced Hip-Hop 101, a free afterschool program that teaches students the basics of the hip-hop genre, among others.
Take a Seat is a year-round program that provides free tickets for clients of partner nonprofits, and can have a big impact, especially on those who are struggling during the holidays.
“Getting to come to a show for free, especially around the holidays, can lift your spirits and provide a fun and immersive activity for families who might not otherwise be able to attend,” said Rachel Pianalto Strickland, Director of Individual Giving.
Community members interested in supporting the nonprofit’s mission can make a tax-deductible donation, join the Friends annual-giving program or volunteer for one of several positions needed to support performances.