Committing to an active lifestyle starts with a Spark!
Our mission is to increase access to health and fitness education opportunities for our community!
Our Mission
The Spark Foundation’s mission is to create a positive impact in the community by providing increased access to health and fitness opportunities and education through:
I. Racing Events - We produce three annual races that appeal to a broad range of runners, volunteers, and community partners. We strive to serve runners of all ages and paces.
II. Outreach Programming - Through strategic partnerships with schools and partner organizations, we create and support programming that increases access to health and fitness education and encourage outdoor recreation opportunities.
III. Giving & Grantmaking - We support the creation of a healthy, active lifestyle through direct gifts to schools and our support of the Fayetteville Public Education Foundation.
Our Vision
A world in which active kids and families have opportunities to create healthy habits at an early age and a community that supports them in doing so.
We started in Fayetteville more than a decade ago, and continue to serve our hometown as well as the greater Northwest Arkansas region and beyond.
Meet Our Board and Staff
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Board President Antoinette Grajeda
Antoinette began volunteering for The Spark Foundation in 2018 and joined the board in 2020. She became board president in 2022. Her spark for an active lifestyle is enjoying the outdoors while connecting with others.
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Vice President Tyler Green
Tyler started with Spark as a Physical Therapist for our Hero Half Training Program. His spark for an active lifestyle is running and being able to be a part of our amazing community and training for Sparks races with his wife and two daughters.
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Board Secretary Dino Andrade
Dino began volunteering for The Spark Foundation in 2022 and joined the board in 2023. His spark for an active lifestyle is running and the benefits it can bring to a community.
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Board Treasurer Jackson Bates
Jackson joined the board in November 2023 and we love the spark of inspiration he’s brought to the board.
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Board Member Samantha Crouch
Samantha joined the board in February 2024. She’s a runner, mother of two daughters and clinical assistant professor who teaches graduate nursing at Baylor University. She specializes in nurse-midwifery, and has a research focus in health policy.