NWA Space and Science

What NWA Space and Science does

NWA Space and Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 47-2867365) founded in 2015 and headquartered in Northwest Arkansas, with a stated mission to build a permanent, world-class science center for the region. Its operational portfolio spans the Library Telescope Lending Program (21 patron-friendly telescopes distributed across 9 partner libraries including Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Gravette), the inaugural NWA Space and Science Summer Institute (junior high/high school STEM immersion, 2026 theme Space Exploration), the Space to Breathe women's retreat (limited-capacity glamping-plus-astronomy experience at Little Sugar Farm in Jane, Missouri), the Brashear refractor telescope restoration project, and a merchandise shop selling apparel and drinkware at $11-$45 price points. The organization also runs 50+ annual outreach events including star parties, STEM nights, school programs, library events, and festival appearances across Northwest Arkansas.

The go-to-market model is volunteer-driven and community-led, with the POINT app coordinating event participation and Eagle Scout projects contributing to cataloging and operational tasks. Revenue is derived from donations, fundraising events (Cosmic Masquerade Gala), program fees for the retreat and summer institute, and merchandise sales. Customer segments are primarily regional and include students and families, educators, public libraries, and K-12 schools across the Bentonville-Rogers-Fayetteville-Springdale corridor. Strategic partnerships include Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) for astronomy observation sessions, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for family events, Arkansas PBS for Family Day, Rotary clubs for Winterfest, and equipment vendor Explore Scientific for board and expedition collaboration.

The organization is at an early operational stage relative to its core ambition. It maintains a small staff of 6 employees, supplemented by volunteers, and as of April 2026 operates from two locations: an office at the Community for NonProfits at St. Mary's in Rogers (1200 W. Walnut St. Suite 2305) and a newly opened office and Cosmic Collections location in Bentonville (3511 SE J Street, Suite 9 #119). The latter, opened April 24-25, 2026, represents Phase One of a multi-phase plan to build a permanent science center that has not yet broken ground. The technology stack is light — telescope-based observation equipment, a Squarespace website, and the POINT volunteer app — with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, patents, trademarks, or proprietary software systems. Key leadership includes Dr. Katherine Auld, who leads astronomy programming and the Space to Breathe retreat, and Kent Marts, who presents on light pollution.

Name

NWA Space and Science

Legal name

NWA Space and Science Center

Website

https://nwa.space

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

NWA Space and Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Northwest Arkansas building a planned science center and operating astronomy outreach programs including a library telescope lending network, summer STEM institute, women's retreat, and telescope restoration.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Science Education and Astronomy Outreach

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums (71211)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB)

Keywords

• STEM education programs
• Astronomy outreach
• Library telescope lending
• Science center planning
• Nonprofit science education

Headquarters

HQ city

Rogers

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, primary revenue comes from donations, grants, and fundraising campaigns to support science center development and programming.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including apparel, mugs, water bottles, tote bags, and throw blankets. Prices range from $11-$40.
3. Space to Breathe Retreat: Women's retreat combining glamping accommodations with astronomy experiences, guided telescope viewing, and presentations by Dr. Katherine Auld. Serves as fundraiser supporting NWA Space mission.
4. Summer Institute Program: Immersive hands-on STEM summer program for junior high and high school students exploring astronomy, planetary science, engineering, and space exploration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NWA Space and Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers community-based astronomy and STEM education through outreach events, star parties, and school programs across Northwest Arkansas. Its portfolio includes the Library Telescope Lending Program (21 telescopes across 9 libraries), the Summer Institute for junior high and high school students, the Space to Breathe women's retreat, Brashear telescope restoration, and a merchandise shop, all supporting the organization's mission to build a permanent world-class science center for the region.

Product overview

NWA Space and Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to build a world-class center for science and exploration in Northwest Arkansas. Its portfolio includes planned interactive science center exhibits, the Library Telescope Lending Program (21 telescopes across 9 libraries), the NWA Space and Science Summer Institute for junior high/high school students, the Space to Breathe Women's Retreat combining glamping with astronomy, Brashear Telescope restoration, science outreach events (star parties, STEM nights), and a merchandise shop. The organization focuses on astronomy, space science, robotics, and engineering education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Library Telescope Lending Program A telescope lending program supporting nine libraries with 21 telescopes, enabling patron-friendly telescope loans for astronomical exploration across Northwest Arkansas.
• NWA Space and Science Summer Institute An immersive, hands-on STEM summer program for junior high and high school students exploring astronomy, planetary science, engineering, and space exploration through interactive activities, expert instruction, and real-world applications. Inaugural 2026 theme is Space Exploration.
• Space to Breathe Women's Retreat A small-group women's retreat combining glamping accommodations with immersive astronomy experiences, guided telescope viewing, and discussions led by Dr. Katherine Auld covering topics such as black holes, modern astrophysics, and humanity's place in the universe. Proceeds support the mission of NWA Space and Science.
• Brashear Telescope Restoration Restoration of an antique Brashear refractor telescope including refurbishment of optical components (lenses and mirrors), mechanical structure repair, and digitization of historical documents, photographs, and records related to the telescope.
• NWA Space Merchandise Shop Online shop selling branded merchandise including apparel (sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies), drinkware (mugs, water bottles), throw blankets, and tote bags featuring space-themed imagery.
• Science Outreach Events Community science outreach including star parties, school STEM nights, library programs, and public demonstrations. The organization participates in community festivals, science olympiads, and partners with local organizations for educational events.
• Science Center & Exploration Center (Planned) A planned world-class center for science and exploration featuring interactive exhibits, hands-on experiences, robotics competitions, public lectures, traveling exhibits, and school field trips. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization is working toward breaking ground in the coming years.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 telescopes across 9 libraries serving Northwest Arkansas communities
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• Bentonville Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing library telescope lending partner with fleet of 10 telescopes for weekly patron lending. Friends of the Library provides funding support for telescope acquisitions.
• Fayetteville Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibrary telescope lending partner with 4 telescopes available for community astronomical exploration and education.
• Gravette Public LibrarycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly adopter of telescope lending program; librarian Karen Benson was among first to embrace the initiative and helped propel fundraising efforts.
• Prairie Grove Public LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelescope program started in converted house library space and continues in newly renovated facility.
• Rogers Public LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerUses telescope to support library programs and share night sky wonders with patrons.
• Eureka Springs Public LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBenefits from darker skies in Eureka Springs area for viewing dark sky objects with borrowed telescope.
• Berryville Public LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPatrons can view beautiful night sky objects using darker skies available near Berryville.
• Bella Vista Public LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerDarker clear skies of Bella Vista provide ideal stargazing conditions for telescope lending patrons.
• West Fork Public LibrarysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides community access to astronomy equipment through telescope lending program.
• 37 North ExpeditionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOngoing partnership for private star party events, dark sky experiences, and outdoor adventure programming. NWA Space provides telescopes and astronomy expertise for 37 North events.
• Little Sugar FarmsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Space to Breathe women's retreat. Provides glamping accommodations at Little Sugar Farm in Jane, Missouri for astronomy-focused retreats.
• PB2 Architecture + EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides architectural design services and animation showing what the planned science center might look like.
• Explore ScientificsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAstronomy equipment company; hosts board meetings at Explore Scientific facility in Springdale. Collaborated on Crossroads of the Eclipses Expedition.
• NWACC (Northwest Arkansas Community College)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partner for astronomy student observing sessions, star parties, and Science Olympiad events. Shewmaker Center hosts regional Science Olympiad tournaments.
• Crystal Bridges Museum of American ArtsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipates in Crystal Bridges Family Fun Night events with astronomy demos and telescope viewing.
• Arkansas PBSsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipates in Arkansas PBS Family Day as vendor with science demonstrations.
• Bella Vista Rotary ClubsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerSupports Winterfest indoor winter carnival for children and families; NWA Space provides science activities.
• Downtown Bentonville IncorporatedsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerProduces First Friday monthly festival series; NWA Space participates with astronomy activities.
• Peel Compton FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides star party experience through gala silent auction.
• Illinois River Watershed Partnership (IRWP)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNWA Space supports Bats & Bluegrass events at IRWP's Watershed Sanctuary with solar astronomy and light pollution education.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• StarNet: National network supporting STEM programming in libraries, including the NASA@My Library telescope lending program — directly comparable to NWA Space's library telescope distribution model.
• Astronomical Society of the Pacific: National nonprofit advancing astronomy education through resources, training, and public programs. Comparable as a mission-aligned nonprofit serving educators and amateur astronomy communities, though not a physical museum.

Direct peers

• Cosmosphere: Space-focused science center and museum in Hutchinson, Kansas operating exhibits, STEM camps, and planetarium programming. Closest analog to NWA Space's planned science center in mission, scope, and space/astronomy focus.
• Sci-Port Discovery Center: Regional science center in Shreveport, LA offering STEM exhibits, planetarium, and educational programs. Comparable mid-sized nonprofit science center model.
• McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center: Space science discovery center in Concord, NH named after Christa McAuliffe, featuring planetarium shows, exhibits, and STEM programming. Direct analog in scale and space-focused mission.
• Amazeum: Children's / hands-on science museum in Bentonville, AR — overlapping geographic market and similar hands-on STEM mission, but broader audience (early childhood through family) rather than space-focused.
• Challenger Center: National nonprofit operating space-focused STEM learning centers and simulations. Highly comparable as a mission-driven space education nonprofit that partners with schools and libraries to deliver programming.
• Science Museum of Oklahoma: Established science museum in Oklahoma City with hands-on exhibits, planetarium, and traveling exhibits. Comparable as a regional science center with embedded STEM programming.

Broad incumbents

• Adler Planetarium: Major space/astronomy-focused museum in Chicago with deep exhibits and education programs. A relevant scaled-up incumbent comparison for NWA Space's long-term trajectory.

Regional players

• Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center: Multi-disciplinary discovery center with science, heritage, and outdoor programming. Comparable in combining museum-style exhibits with classroom and community outreach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nwaspace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NWA Space and Science