Walmart is one of the leading brands in the world and it is an American retail corporation. This giant brand is not just confined to business but it has also social and environmental initiative. This initiative is working to create opportunity, enhance sustainability and strengthen the community. When the community is strong, then it is going to make a difference in everyone’s life.
This initiative also provides grants available year-round. This grant goes to the local non-profit organization that has direct link to the community people and community organization. The non-profit organization must operate non-profit activities in the local level to be eligible for this grant. So, we are going to know about Walmart community grant program and how this grant fund helps the non profit and other organization.
About Walmart Community Grant Program
Walmart is the largest retailer in the world and it is because of good business policy, reputation and ethics and corporate social responsibility. It also believes in strengthening communities as part of creating values for business. There are so many problems in the community and it is important to take steps to strengthen community. This makes sure people can live without hunger, people can have access to healthy food, women can have empowerment, seniors can have better life to live longer and healthier, students can have better access to education and many more. As part of Walmart community grant program, Walmart U.S. Stores, Sam’s Club and distribution centers awards cash grants ranging from $250 to $5000.
Non-profit organization mostly work on donation and grants from government and philanthropist, donors and business entity. With this grant, Non-profit organization meets the need of low-income people, ensure medication facilities for senior citizens, and community development. Non-profit organization can have this chance to get grants from Walmart by fulfilling program guideline and eligibility criteria.
How This Walmart Community Grant Works?
There are program guidelines for community grants and it is also important to know such grants and the program guidelines. Firstly, Spark Good Local grants are highly awarded with the help of an application process and eligible non-profit organization can go with this process. But they have to prove that they operate their nonprofit activities locally and directly benefitting the service area of the facility from where they are requesting funding.
The organization that are going to apply this grant should open an account with Spark Good Local Grant especially on “walmart.com/nonprofits“. They must be verified by Walmart third party verification partner named as Deed.
The grant application is accepted and reviewed based on quarterly basis and there are also deadlines of application as well. Here is the list of quarterly application deadlines
- Quarter 1: March 1 to April 15
- Quarter 2: May 1 to July 15
- Quarter 1: Aug 1 to Oct 15
- Quarter 1: Nov 1 to Dec 15
Organizations can submit or have up to 25 applications in a calendar year. Decisions are made quarterly, so you’ll know the outcome before the next quarter’s application period opens. If your application is approved, the grant amount will be distributed via electronic payment.
Organization Eligibility For Walmart Community Grant
Walmart Community Grants are designed to support nonprofit organizations and programs that align with Walmart’s giving priorities and focus areas. Walmart typically prioritizes organizations and programs that serve communities where Walmart operates stores and distribution centers. These grants often support initiatives related to hunger relief and healthy eating, sustainability, women’s economic empowerment, workforce development, and education. Here are some eligibility criteria for Walmart community grant.
- Organization need to have Spark Good Account and they will be verified by Deed and it is Walmart’s third-party verification service provider.
- When fund will be granted, their grant funds are sent to the electronic payment. In this case, they have to provide payment information to complete the approval process.
Organization need to follow one of following criteria such as
- Organization holding a current tax-exempt status as a public charity under section 501 (c) (3) according to Internal Revenue Code. It should be listed on the IRS Master File and conducting activities within the United States. Additionally, it should be classified as a public charity under section 509(a)(1), (2) or (3) (Types I or II) and deed verified.
- The government entity can also request this grant fund and they should be recognized government entity as state, county or city agency including law enforcement or fire departments. They may need fund for public services in the community and this should be also verified by Deed.
- Some educational institution may also request this grant fund as part of community development. These are A K-12 public or non profit private school, charter school, community/junior college, state/private college or university. They also need to be verified by Deed.
- Some other non-profit organization may also request this grant fund and these are church, other faith-based organization with a proposed project that benefits the community at large. These organization may also be food pantries, soup kitchens, clothing closets and they also need to be verified by Deed.
It’s essential to review the specific guidelines and eligibility criteria for each grant program offered by Walmart, as they may have different requirements and priorities. Information about Walmart Community Grants, including eligibility criteria and application instructions, can usually be found on the Walmart Foundation website or through local Walmart stores’ community involvement departments.
Application And Selection Process
It is easy to go with application process through the Spark Good Account on Walmart.com and all grant applications are made subject to review of the organization’s reputation and activities and its agreement with applicable terms and conditions.
- Facility management review: All the applications are reviewed by facility management and make initial funding recommendation on all submitted requests.
- Application Determination: there is each facility manager who may set the frequency and process of application determination.
- Adjustment of the amount: the Facility manager and the grant administrator have the right to adjust the amount awarded to each organization without prior notice.
- Funding Decision: All funding decisions are final and this will be notified through e-mail.
- Electronic Payment setup: As organization needs to get funding through electronic payment, then recommended organization will be notified to do that accordingly.
- Grant receipt: when grant is approved, then organization may contact the local facility from which funds were awarded to discuss their announcement or formal recognition event.
Final Verdict
Another initiative also comes as voluntarism and the associates of this business is also passionate about that. This voluntarism always pays for VAP program in the communities where it serves. Some organization may also avail monetary donation based on the time as associates spend volunteering. This step also supports such organization and their missions as well. However, organization applying this grant need to study and research about their website for application according to their location and should accomplish application successfully to get Walmart Community grants.
