Local Grants
Helping local organizations strengthen their communities.
Walmart believes that investing in local communities strengthens our business as well as the communities we serve. Local grants are designed to support local organizations that meet the unique needs of the communities where we operate, build pride among all associates, and deepen relationships with our customers. Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5000.
Before submitting a grant, organizations must review the below guidelines:
Note: Organizations must serve the same service area as the facility from which they are requesting funding.
- Grants are awarded through an open application process to eligible organizations serving the same service area that the facility they are requesting funding from serves.
- Organizations must have a Spark Good account on Walmart.com and be verified by Walmart’s third-party verification partner, Deed. Only authorized users of the organization’s Spark Good account may apply.
- Grant amounts range from $250 to $5,000.
- In FY27, there will be three grant cycles. Note that the last day to submit a grant proposal will be November 30.
- Grant Application Cycle 1: February 1 – April 15
- Grant Application Cycle 2: May 1 - July 15
- Grant Application Cycle 3: August 1 – December 31
- A maximum of 25 applications (pending or approved status) is allowed per organization at any time.
- Organizations may only receive one grant per facility in the same fiscal year (February 1 – January 31).
- Final decisions are made prior to the next application cycle opening.
- All grant applicants must confirm alignment with Spark Good program guidelines prior to being awarded a grant.
- Agreeing to Walmart and Sam’s Club logo usage and recognition guidelines is required.
- If recommended for a grant, funds are distributed through electronic payment via JP Morgan, requiring the organization to provide correct banking within 21 days of the organization’s primary owner being notified that the grant was recommended for approval.
- Organizations must have a Spark Good account on Walmart.com and be verified by Deed, Walmart’s third-party verification service provider.
- Organizations must serve the same service area that the facility they are requesting funding from serves. Eligible entities must be a:
- 501(c)(3) public charity: An organization holding a current tax-exempt status and classified as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, listed on the IRS Master File and conducting activities within the United States; classified as a public charity under Section 509(a)(1), (2) or (3) (Types I or II); and Deed verified.
- Government entity (non-501(c)(3)): U.S. federal agencies territories and commonwealths, state agencies and departments and political subdivisions (including cities, counties, municipal agencies).
- School: All K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community/junior colleges, state/private colleges, or universities. Institutions must have a NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) number or 501(c)(3) tax status and be verified with Deed.
- Church or other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large, such as food pantries, soup kitchens and clothing closets and Deed verified.
Please note: Non-charities, including organizations such as 501(c)(4)s, (c)(6)s, and (c)(19)s like homeowner’s associations, civic leagues, or volunteer fire companies, are not eligible.
- Facility managers review applications and make initial recommendations.
- Facility managers are advised to fund trusted organizations in the community where positive relationships exist.
- Facility managers consider the following criteria when recommending a grant:
- Mission Aligned: The grant addresses a specific need in their community and makes sense for Walmart or Sam’s Club to help solve (for example, Walmart is a large grocer, so we often fund hunger relief).
- Builds Trust: The grant supports an organization that is legally compliant and seeks to bring people together without divisiveness.
- Effectiveness: It is clear what the organization does, how funds will be used and the impact the grant will have in the community.
- Each facility manager may set the frequency and process in which application determinations are made within each application cycle.
- Managers and grant administrators reserve the right to adjust the amount awarded to each organization without notice.
- Organizations will be notified of decisions via e-mail, with all decisions being final.
- If the grant proposal is recommended for funding, the organization will receive an email with instructions to set up electronic grant payment to complete within 21 days or the grant will be rejected.
- Agreeing to logo usage and recognition guidelines and affirming alignment with Spark Good local grant guidelines is mandatory for approval.
Please Note: All grant applications are subject to review of the organization’s reputation and activities and its agreement to comply with applicable terms and conditions. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Funding exclusions include organizations that deny service, membership, or other involvement on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran, or disability status.
Creating Opportunity
Economic Opportunity
- Walmart #5440 in Portland, Oregan awarded a $1,500 local grant to Junior Achievement of Oregon and SW Washington to support JA BizTown programming to blend in-class learning with a one-day economic simulation.
- Walmart #1514 in Brentwood, MO awarded a $250 local grant to Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis to support Ready to Work program improving employment training for adults with down syndrome.
Advancing Sustainability
Preservation of nature
- Walmart #2598 in Sacramento, California awarded a $1,000 local grant to Color the Block to support Green Leaf Swap Meet and Plant Celebration to boost community green spaces in Sacramento.
- Sam’s Club #4768 in Reno, Nevada, awarded a $2,000 local grant to Truckee Meadows Park Foundation to support the Rosewood Nature Study Area Restoration Project.
Reducing plastic, food and textile waste
- Walmart #1119 in Naples, Florida awarded a $1,000 local grant to Keep Collier Beautiful, Inc. to support community clean ups and recycling efforts.
Strengthening Community
Access to healthier food for all
- Sam’s Club #4820 in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina, awarded a $300 local grant to Kelly’s Kitchen to support the Nourishment Beyond the Plate programming, empowering disabled individuals through accessible cooking education and tools.
- Distribution Center #7033 in Rancho Cucamonga, California, awarded a $1,000 local grant to Malcom’s Heart to support Boxes of Love which delivers care packages for those impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Disaster preparedness & response
- Walmart store #1405 in Houston, Texas, awarded a $500 local grant to Angelton Restoration Project to support Hurricane Beryl relief efforts.
- Sam’s Club #8281 in Houston, Texas, awarded a $500 local grant to Simply Her Movement to support programming to empower families with education and disaster resources.
Building caring & connected communities
- Walmart #2702 in Nixa, Missouri, awarded a $1,500 local grant to Nica Police Department to support Shop with a Cop.
- Walmart store #924 in Holyoke, Colorado, awarded a $3,500 local grant to Phillips County Family Education Services to support Paquime Folkloric Dance program to build connections by students sharing their culture with the community through dance performances.
- Distribution Center #6299 in Phoenix, Arizona, awarded a $1,000 local grant to Freed Spirits Animal Rescue to support Kindness Matter program, bringing autistic and opportunity youth together to work with rescued farm animals.
Apply for a local grant using your Spark Good Account on Walmart.com.
In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, Walmart occasionally screens for other conduct or activities that can reasonably be considered materially damaging to the business or reputation that may result in some organizations or individuals being excluded from eligibility at any time without notice. This may include conduct that insults, shocks or offends the community or any segment of it. Walmart reserves the right to refuse services or funding to organizations that do not meet the verification, program eligibility and/or reputational requirements. Exclusions may include organizations that deny service, membership or other involvement on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran status, disability status, or acts that can be considered an offense or violation under applicable law.
