Club Launches Malo Scholarship Fund for Youth
The Boys & Girls Club of Benton County has established a scholarship fund honoring longtime supporter Mark Malo.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Scholarships
The Boys & Girls Club of Benton County has established the Mark and Rachel Malo Scholarship Fund, currently holding about $85,000 invested. The organization aims to provide scholarships for 100 youth by the end of 2026.
Why it matters
The fund is intended to expand access to after-school and summer programs for youth who might not otherwise be able to participate. The fund honors Mark Malo, who coached youth sports and served as president of the club's Board of Directors.
The club has about $85,000 invested in the fund and aims to raise $35,000 more through the end of 2026, with annual costs of $2,400 per youth and $500 per teen. Sixty-one percent of members qualify for scholarships, and the current progress toward the 100-scholarship goal has not been reported.
The players
Boys & Girls Club of Benton County
A Bentonville-based youth organization that provides after-school and summer programs to children in Benton County.
Mark Malo
A longtime local supporter who coached youth sports and served as president of the club's Board of Directors before his death in 2024.
The details
The fund honors Mark Malo, a longtime Bentonville supporter who died Feb. 12, 2024, at age 58 after a battle with melanoma cancer. The organization intends to endow the fund so it can grow in perpetuity.
Timeline
Feb. 12, 2024: Mark Malo died after a battle with melanoma cancer, at age 58.
Through the end of 2026: The club is working to raise an additional $35,000 for the scholarship fund.
End of 2026: The club aims to provide scholarships for 100 youth.
Season Trajectory
The new endowed fund extends the Boys & Girls Club of Benton County's existing after-school and summer program model by creating a dedicated, perpetual source of scholarships for members who cannot afford full fees. Its stated goal of 100 scholarships by the end of 2026 measures how far the club's current access level is intended to expand.
Families in Benton County who cannot afford the $2,400 annual cost for a youth may be able to access after-school and summer programs through the new scholarship fund. The club's 61% scholarship-eligibility rate suggests many members could benefit directly.
The takeaway
Dedicated endowed funds can keep youth program access stable beyond a single donor's lifetime, which is the stated goal of this fund. Readers interested in supporting similar efforts can look for local youth organizations that publish scholarship targets and progress.
Further reading
Explore more Scholarships coverage to see how similar programs expand access to youth activities.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Talk Business & Politics.
