Northwest Arkansas can thank mother nature, the government, and most citizens for its fast-paced growth. However, nonprofit organizations also play a crucial role in the region’s development. Some are popular with humanitarian works all over the country, while others devote all their effort to NWA.
Pedal It Forward is one of the cool nonprofits in NWA (Bentonville and Rogers), dedicated to giving out bikes to the area’s residents. They collect broken ones from others and indulge volunteers to re-amend them. Also, Canopy NWA welcomes & establishes foreigners, especially refugees, to the region.
If you love what these organizations do, please reach out to them to volunteer. Keep reading to learn more about these amazing organizations.
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1. Pedal It Forward
Pedal It Forward is a cool nonprofit located in Bentonville and Rogers. They take used (broken) bikes from people, fix them, and give them away to kids, students, and adults in the area.
There are two factors I really, genuinely love. First, they’re in Northwest Arkansas, which always encourages alternative transportation, especially bikes, in the trail systems. However, many people only sometimes have access to bikes or can’t afford them, so Pedal It Forward makes that happen.
Secondly, they allow mechanics handy with bikes to volunteer their skills. If you’d love to be a part of that, fill out the volunteer form here.
They have numerous bikes but need more hands to get into their workshop and fix them. Hence, if talking to other people, handing out food, or any other physical activity isn’t your thing, and you enjoy this mechanical work, Pedal It Forward is where you’d want to spend some of your time.
It’s an excellent investment of your time to give people an alternative transportation method in Northwest Arkansas. Furthermore, riding a bike is the healthier transportation option which factors into why people living in NWA are so healthy. You can check out the link for my article discussing this in much more detail.
I love Pedal It Forward, and they are a great nonprofit.
2. Soar Afterschool
Soar Afterschool is fantastic, and I have volunteered with them before. I love the program because it’s different from typical afterschool programs.
The organizers dedicate it to bringing leadership to younger children. So, after school, kids are there from 3 pm-3:30 pm, sometimes 5:30 pm, engaged in events and different classes and other fun things that they would not get in a school system and even at home.
The cool thing we did when I was volunteering there was a job interview. We went around, and the kids came up to me, extensively explaining why they chose their Harry Potter houses versus others.
It was cool to see them explain and verbalize their opinions, and I’d ask various questions which engaged them and me intensely.
I was just one of only six people that asked questions. I don’t know what the other job interviewers were asking, but it was cool to see these kids engage and learn different skill sets versus sitting around and listening to music, playing games, or eating after school.
They’re engaged and growing, which will help them eventually get into college and a great career. Hence, Soar is a great afterschool program and one of the most unique.
Like other nonprofits, the organizers and volunteers care about making sure these students feel safe, intelligent, and like they’re improving in leadership.
They’re growing up quickly, so it’s cool to see these leaders help them get to that phase of life.
If you’re in NWA and want to volunteer for this program, as I did, apply through this Google Form and prepare for a fun time.
Also, I have a 3-day itinerary that can help you decide what activities to do if you’re overwhelmed by everything Northwest Arkansas has to offer.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a foodie, a sports person, a sightseer, or want to spend quality time with your kids; I have something for you. Check out the link below to learn more:
https://www.allthingsnwa.com/3-day-itinerary-northwest-arkansas
3. Free Geek Arkansas
If you have any old electronics lying around your house, you know it’s hard to get rid of them because you can’t just dump them in the trash can. At least, you shouldn’t.
You’d have to take them to a recycling factory, but what’s cool about Free Geek is that, similar to Pedal It Forward, you can drop off your electronics so they can do either of the following:
- Fix the electronics and sell them
- Fix the devices and give them away
If you get a chance, check out their massive warehouse in Fayetteville because it houses so many computers, and some are considered “hidden gems” because they’re so old.
Therefore, look through the whole facility if you go there. Whether you want to volunteer some time or give them your electronics, it’s the perfect destination if you’re on the “technical, nerdy” side.
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4. Canopy NWA
Canopy is one of the most exciting nonprofits in the area because its sole purpose is to rehome people in Northwest Arkansas from other countries.
A good example was during the fall of Afghanistan in 2021. Many Afghani refugees came to Northwest Arkansas, and Canopy was the one that helped them get established. The same thing happened with some Ukrainian refugees recently.
Hence, anytime people are moving out of distress from other parts of America; some end up in Northwest Arkansas because of Canopy. People know the nonprofit is registered in a database in the national federal system, so it attracts them.
Moreover, Canopy is beyond rehoming and getting set up in America. They also help foreigners adjust to American culture, language, social security, and all the different things that come with starting a transfer of becoming a citizen or getting the proper credentialing.
Furthermore, Canopy is good at establishing foreigners in business and entrepreneurship here in Northwest Arkansas.
They have an entire week dedicated to:
- Getting people here
- Teaching new skill sets and trades
- Enrolling them in colleges
- Establishing their own business
It’s cool to see Canopy use the benefits of living in Northwest Arkansas because it’s such a startup culture here.
You can visit Canopy’s website to render your support in various ways.
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5. Walton Foundation
This may be unfair because of its location, but the Walton Foundation is the most prominent local nonprofit. They give a lot of money to other organizations outside Northwest Arkansas, but they dedicate many resources to this region.
The Walton Foundation will always be part of Northwest Arkansas for its influence in new buildings, parks, pathways, trails, etc.
Others like the Tyson Foundation and JB Hunt Foundation are also big, but Walton Foundation gives this region much more time, energy, and resources. So it’s cool to see them build fantastic award-winning buildings over the last ten years.
Northwest Arkansas is fortunate to have that helping hand here. Thanks, Walton Foundation.