For nearly forty years, Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas (SPSFNWA) has made tremendous strides to improve the quality of life for tens of thousands of single parent families throughout Northwest Arkansas.
In 1984, co-founders Marjorie Marugg-Wolffe and Ralph Nesson had a vision to award scholarships to families in Benton and Washington counties to provide hope and encouragement. Fifteen families benefited from the initial award of $200 per semester. Now, full-time recipients receive $2,500 per semester.
For many years, Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Washington County and Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Benton County operated seperately; however, in 2021 the two organizations merged to serve Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties.
As of 2022, $16.9 million dollars in scholarship funds have been distributed to nearly 21,200 single moms and dads.
SPSFNWA joined two organizations to best serve the entire NWA region in 2021, we are relocating to a more centralized location to be accessible in Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties. Following the merger, we are relocating to a more centralized location to be equally accessible in Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties.
Frankie Rankin, CFRE
Chief Philanthropy Officer
