Spark Good Storefront Reservation Tool Guidelines
Walmart believes investing in local communities strengthens our business as well as the communities we serve. Community engagement is 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.
The Storefront Reservation program allows local organizations to request space outside of Walmart stores and Neighborhood Markets for community awareness campaigns. For Sam’s Club requests, please contact the local club manager to request the use of space.
Before submitting a request, organizations must review the below guidelines.
Program Guidelines
- The reservation tool allows eligible local organizations to submit online requests for the use of outside space at Walmart facilities (not inside the store or vestibule area).
- Organizations must have a Spark Good account on Walmart.com/nonprofits and be verified. Only authorized users of the organization’s Spark Good account may request space.
- Organizations must review and agree to the Terms of Use and Notice of Solicitation and Distribution of Literature Rules (refer to National Rules for more information, or state-specific rules in Pennsylvania and Mississippi).
- Requests must be made no less than 21 days in advance of the event date. A submission of a request does not guarantee approval.
- Affirming alignment with Spark Good program guidelines is mandatory for all reservation requests.
- If approved, the organization may use the designated area no more than 8 consecutive hours on three days, but no more than a total of 14 days per calendar year per facility location.
Note: Requests submitted for the purpose of for-profit commercial sale of products or services to the public are NOT eligible.
Organization Eligibility
- Organizations must have a Spark Good account and be verified by Deed, Walmart’s third-party verification service provider.
- Organizations must serve the same service area as the facility where they are requesting to reserve space. Eligible entities must either be a:
- 501(c)(3) public charity: An organization holding a current tax-exempt status 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 (non501(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.
- Other Nonprofit (non 501(c)(3)): Non-charities, civic organizations and local associates including organizations recognized as 501(c)(4)s, (c)(6)s, and (c)(19)s like homeowner’s associations, civic leagues, or volunteer fire companies, and Deed verified.
- Other Local Group: Groups not in other categories and approved for access to the tool through manual verification.
Note: For-profit entities such as Food Trucks, credit card companies or other businesses looking to sell a product or service to the public, are not eligible for this program. For-profit entities looking to engage with customers or members on Walmart property should visit directly with facility managers.
Selection and Approval Process
- Only verified organizations have access to request space outside of Walmart facilities for community awareness or fundraising. Any fundraising activities should be clearly described in the request. If you are looking to host an event that may require more space than the sidewalk, these requests are NOT facilitated through this tool. Work directly with the facility manager on these types of events
- Facility management review requests and make recommendations on all submitted requests.
- Managers are advised to approve trusted organizations in the community where positive relationships exist.
- Each facility manager may set the frequency and process in which determinations are made.
- Organizations will be notified of the status of a request no less than 7 days before their event date via email.
- There is a limit of no more than 15 members of any group participating in front of a store or club at any one time.
- Managers reserve the right to decline an organization’s request based on review of the organization’s activities and its agreement to comply with applicable terms and conditions.
- Facility managers consider the following criteria when reviewing reservation requests:
- Mission Aligned: The organization and/or program addresses a specific need in the community and makes sense for Walmart or Sam’s Club to help solve (for example, Walmart is a large grocer, so we often support hunger relief).
- Builds Trust: The organization is legally compliant and seeks to bring people together without divisiveness.
- Effectiveness: It is clear what the organization does and how they will be engaging with customers or members on Walmart property.
- If approved, the organization must “check-in” on the Tool once they have arrived on site for any approved event.
- If approved, organizations should not use the Walmart logo as part of their event. Approved reservations allow the organization to raise awareness or fundraise, but do not imply Walmart has endorsed or sponsored the activity or event.
- Organizations will be notified of decisions via e-mail, with all decisions being final.
All Spark Good Storefront requests are subject to review of the organization’s reputation and activities and its agreement to comply with applicable terms and conditions. Submission does not guarantee access to requested space outside of a Walmart facility. Approval 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, or disability status.
