Newsroom

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

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

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.

Update

Excellerate Housing hires Jamion T. Nash as Vice President

LISTEN

Episode 12, the underview podcast | the people

Listen to Episode 12 of the underview podcast with Mike Rusch & Jeff Webster.

Excellerate Housing

Shared Equity Explained for Bentonville Schools Housing Project

In the news

NWA Dem Gaz | Foundation working to provide affordable housing in Northwest Arkansas

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

in the news

Bentonville School Board Votes Yes to Teacher Housing

in the news

Arkansas school district to build teacher housing amid nationwide shortage

UPDATE

Excellerate Foundation Launches Excellerate Housing, LLC

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!

In The News

Bentonville pledges to take action to make housing more affordable

Hark

Through its partnership with United Way/Arkansas 211, Hark is showing the world how its approach can help

In The News

Susan Upchurch Named Talk Business & Politics C-Suite Award Winner

In the News

Attainable housing relief for Northwest Arkansas on horizon

UPDATE

A new tech and approach that has helped thousands of Arkansans

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.

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.

Hark

Life happens to all of us...Hark can connect you with resources right here in Northwest Arkansas

Meet the Board

Meet The Board | Thomas Harris

Each month last year, we introduced you to each of our board members at Excellerate Foundation. Today, we want to feature our newest. The incredible, Thomas Harris.

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.

Meet the Board

Meet The Board | Kelly Sikorski

Over the past year we have featured one member of our Excellerate Foundation Board. This month, we highlight our final board member, Kelly Sikorski.

Update

Carol Silva Moralez Appointed President / CEO Upskill NWA

Upskill NWA Appoints Carol Silva Moralez As President / CEO

Meet the Board

Meet The Board | Mark Snodgrass

Each month, we will be featuring one member of the Excellerate Foundation Board. Our September board member highlight is Mark Snodgrass.

In the News

Time-Tested Upskill NWA Program Combines College Assistance with Career Placement

meet the board

Meet the Board | Melody Martens

Each month, we will be featuring one member of the Excellerate Foundation Board. Our August board member highlight is Melody Martens.

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.

Meet The Board

Meet the Board | Susan Goss

Each month, we will be featuring one member of the Excellerate Foundation Board. Our July board member highlight is Susan Goss, LMFT, LPC.

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.

Meet The Board

Together, we can drive systemicchange in Northwest Arkansas.

Together, we can drive systemic
change in Northwest Arkansas.