Walton Family Foundation supports new K-12 entrepreneurship initiative
Summary
A Cleveland-based entrepreneurship education and experiences organization for K-12 students is expanding into Northwest Arkansas after receiving more than $1.21 million from the Walton Family Foundation, according to a Wednesday (Aug. 2) news release.Young Entrepreneur Institute at University School, through its partnership with the online platform YIPPEE Exchange, will allow K-12 public and charter school educators in Northwest Arkansas to receive grants to access curricula, materials, and experiences from area and nationwide providers. YIPPEE will offer qualified educators resources, such as a field trip to the Arkansas Research and Technology Park in Fayetteville, classroom workshops by Gentry-based Hens at Home, and Young Entrepreneur Institutes supplies and advice on a real-world selling experience.Marion Dunagan, program director for Young Entrepreneur Institutes Northwest Arkansas initiative, said the Walton Family Foundation grant supports a two-year pilot of the initiative. Still, about 10 employees in Cleveland support her and will come to help launch the initiative with area events.We are thrilled to expand our services to cultivate a vibrant youth entrepreneurial ecosystem in Northwest Arkansas, said Ilene Frankel, executive director of Young Entrepreneur Institute. Developing entrepreneurial skillsets in our youth is an investment in the future of our region working toward economic growth, building a stronger, more capable workforce, and encouraging community engagement. In 2012, the institute expanded outside of University School to provide entrepreneurship education to students across the country.We firmly believe that by igniting an entrepreneurial spark in young minds, we equip children with important skills, including creative problem-solving, public speaking, financial literacy, resilience and more, Frankel said.