Spark Good Local Grants Guidelines

Walmart believes that strengthening local communities creates value for business as well as society. Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate. 

Program Guidelines

• Spark Good Local Grants are awarded through an open application process to eligible organizations operating locally and directly benefiting the service area of the facility from when they are requesting funding. 
• All organizations interested in applying for a Spark Good Local Grant must have a Spark Good account on Walmart.com/nonprofits 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 a minimum of $250 to a maximum of $5,000.
• Grant applications are accepted and reviewed during three submission periods this year. Adjusted deadlines Grant application timelines are as follows:
  • March 1 – July 15
  • Aug. 6 – Oct. 15
  • Nov. 1 – Dec. 31
• Organizations may only have a combined total number of 25 submitted and/or approved applications at any given one time for the calendar year, regardless of quarterly submission. 
• Final decisions on applications submitted within each quarter are made prior to the next quarter’s application opening. 
• If approved, grant funds are distributed through electronic payment.

Organization Eligibility

• Organizations must have a Spark Good account and be verified by Deed, Walmart’s third-party verification service provider.
• If recommended for funding, the organization must provide electronic payment information to complete the approval process. All grants are disbursed through electronic payment.
• Organizations applying must meet one of following criteria:
  • 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.
  • A recognized government entity: state, county or city agency, including law enforcement or fire departments, that are requesting funds exclusively for public purposes and Deed verified.
  • A K-12 public or nonprofit private school, charter school, community/junior college, state/private college or university; or a 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.

Note: Non-charities, 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, are not eligible at this time.

Selection and Approval Process

• Facility management review applications and make initial funding recommendations on all submitted requests.
• Each facility manager may set the frequency and process in which application determinations are made.
• The facility manager and the grant administrator reserve the right to adjust the amount awarded to each organization without prior notice.
• Organizations will be notified of any decision via e-mail. All funding decisions are final.
• If an organization is recommended for funding, organization will be notified about how to set up electronic payment to complete the final approval step in the grant application process. 
• Upon receiving a grant, organizations may contact the local facility from which funds were awarded to discuss their announcement and/or a formal recognition event (only if desired).

All grant applications are made 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.

Access the application from your Spark Good account on Walmart.com.