Northwest Arkansas Regional Volunteer Center:
Jones Center and Walmart are joining forces to launch the first regional volunteer center serving nonprofit organizations across Northwest Arkansas.
An ambitious effort to connect more people with meaningful service opportunities and strengthen the resiliency of our entire community. It is a privilege to welcome Tyson Foods as the first community partner to stand alongside Walmart as a lead sponsor, helping power this transformational initiative as we prepare for its launch next year.
“We are inspired to build on Jones Center’s reputation for promoting connection and community health. This initiative creates a path for every resident to find purpose through service, and every nonprofit to have the tools they need to thrive.”
— Joe Lloyd, Jones Center President and CEO
Why Volunteerism Matters
We are starting a movement to address critical regional needs, including the rise of loneliness and increasing instability in the nonprofit sector. Volunteerism is a proven solution.
According to AmeriCorps, Arkansas’s current volunteer rate is 28%, representing about 871,000 residents. Raising the rate to 39%, the national top 10 state average, would engage 333,000 more people in service.
Volunteerism promotes social connection, which is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, depression, anxiety, and premature death.
Volunteerism strengthens the nonprofit sector by encouraging charitable giving. The Do Good Institute reports that volunteering increases charitable giving by 14.5%.
2026 Development Timeline: Building Toward a Successful Launch
Our Goals for Success
Jones Center will collaborate with corporate, nonprofit, and civic partners to ensure a comprehensive approach. Planning will include advisory councils, town halls, and benchmarking with national peers. Coletta Patterson was recently appointed as the Regional Volunteer Center Planning Director to lead the planning and preparation for the 2027 launch.
The Regional Volunteer Center will serve as a model for the country, ensuring Northwest Arkansas remains the premier place to live, work, play, and serve. We will measure our impact through increased regional volunteer rates, enhanced nonprofit sustainability, and deep donor engagement.
“For Walmart, the regional volunteer center is about supporting a systems-approach to creating a more caring and connected community. Taking a major step to grow volunteerism across the region will reinforce social bonds while enhancing local nonprofits and their impact. We’re proud to partner with Jones Center to make this vision a reality.”
— Julie Gehrki, President, Walmart Foundation and Senior Vice President, Philanthropy, Walmart
Ready to Engage?
Contact Coletta Patterson at cpatterson@thejonescenter.org to learn how your organization can get involved in the planning process.
Coletta Patterson
Regional Volunteer Center Planning Director
Raised in Northwest Arkansas, Coletta brings over 20 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership. An MBA graduate of the University of Arkansas and a certified Executive Coach, she has a proven track record of scaling start-ups for maximum impact. Her vision is to create a “seat at the table” for all community perspectives, building a robust pipeline that makes volunteering top-of-mind for every resident in NWA.