Sponsor Spotlight: Walton Family Foundation

The Walton Family Foundation is “redefining the way philanthropy collaborates with grantees and communities to take on some of the world’s biggest problems.” One way the Foundation accomplishes this is through its support of invention education programs created by the National Inventors Hall of Fame^®.

Read on to learn how the Foundation’s support is making an impact for children in the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta.

Providing Hands-On Learning Opportunities

“Partnering with the National Inventors Hall of Fame allows us to support fun, hands-on learning outside the school day — especially in communities that often lack access to these kinds of programs,” explained Robert Burns, Director, Home Region Program at Walton Family Foundation.

As a national nonprofit with a mission to recognize inventors, promote creativity, and advance the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, the Hall of Fame is grateful for the Foundation’s generosity and support of its out-of-school time (OST) programs.

The Walton Family Foundation has supported Camp Invention^® and Club Invention^® programs in school districts within Phillips County, Arkansas; Jefferson County, Arkansas; and Coahoma County, Mississippi. To implement these OST programs, the National Inventors Hall of Fame provides the local educators who lead them with all the curricula, hands-on materials, guidance and support they need, from start to finish.

“The Hall of Fame’s programs not only engage students but also build teacher capacity by providing training and resources that strengthen STEM instruction long after the program ends,” Burns said.

Preparing Children for the Future

Each National Inventors Hall of Fame education program is directly inspired and informed by the Hall of Fame’s Inductees and is designed to guide children to develop their own solutions to problems as they create invention prototypes and build an innovative mindset.

“In many communities, students have limited access to high-quality, hands-on learning experiences. The National Inventors Hall of Fame helps change that by offering programs that meet students where they are,” said Burns. “These efforts spark creativity and real-world problem solving while strengthening local capacity and demonstrating what’s possible when education goes beyond the classroom.”

Each child who participates in a National Inventors Hall of Fame education program also enjoys an engaging and confidence-building experience while developing valuable skills that promote college and career readiness and prepare them to become future leaders in their communities.

“The National Inventors Hall of Fame’s invention-focused programs help more students experience creative, high-quality learning that can inspire big dreams,” said Burns.

The Foundation values how Camp Invention and Club Invention connect creative program experiences to real-world applications, helping children to see themselves as problem solvers and innovators who can make a difference in their own lives and in the world around them.

“Hands-on learning and creative opportunities don’t just benefit individual students — they can strengthen entire communities,” explained Burns. “These experiences are especially powerful in areas with limited access to enrichment, helping level the playing field and creating a ripple effect that inspires students, families and educators while building capacity for long-term success.”

Learn More About the Walton Family Foundation

The National Inventors Hall of Fame is thankful for the Walton Family Foundation’s meaningful support in bringing powerful out-of-school time programs to children in the Delta region. To learn more about the Foundation and its mission, please visit its website.