Walmart gives locally through its Spark Good program. Stores, Sam's Clubs, and distribution centers award cash grants of $250 to $5,000, and store management can provide in-kind donations such as products or gift cards. Here is how each path works, who qualifies, and how to apply.
To apply for a grant, your organization first needs a Spark Good account at Walmart.com/nonprofits, and it must be verified by Walmart's third-party verification partner, Deed. Setting up and verifying the account is the gateway to the online grant process, so handle this step before a deadline approaches.
Walmart stores, Sam's Clubs, and distribution centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 each year. The 2026 grant cycle begins February 1, 2026, with applications accepted across three cycles. After reviewing the guidelines and setting up your account, visit the Spark Good Local Grants page, pick the facility you are applying to, answer questions about your organization, and submit.
For products or gift cards rather than a cash grant, make the request to store management at your local Walmart or Sam's Club. In-kind donations are handled at the store level, separate from the online grant process, so an in-person ask to the right manager is the way to go.
Eligible applicants include public charities with 501(c)(3) status, recognized government entities, schools with an NCES number or 501(c)(3) status, and faith-based organizations with a project that benefits the community at large. Non-charities are not eligible, including 501(c)(4), (c)(6), and (c)(19) groups such as homeowners associations, civic leagues, and volunteer fire companies.
Facility managers review applications and make recommendations using a few clear criteria: whether the request is mission-aligned and addresses a specific, demonstrated need; whether the organization builds trust and is in good standing; and whether the work is effective, with a clear description and expected outcomes. Write your application to speak to each of these.
Last updated June 2026. Errors: [email protected]
Spark Good is Walmart's umbrella program for community giving, and it pushes decisions down to the local level. Each store, Sam's Club, and distribution center has the ability to award grants and make in-kind donations in its own community, which is why a verified account tied to a specific facility matters. The program is built around an online workflow for grants and an in-person path for products, so matching your request to the right method is half the work.
The two paths serve different needs. A Spark Good local grant is cash, between $250 and $5,000, awarded through an online application reviewed by facility managers and timed to set cycles. In-kind donations are products or gift cards requested directly from store management, with no online cycle to wait for. If you need funding for a program, apply for a grant; if you need product for an event or a raffle, ask the store. Pursuing both, where appropriate, widens your support.
Walmart draws a clear line between charities and non-charities. Eligible applicants are public 501(c)(3) charities, recognized government entities, schools with an NCES number or 501(c)(3) status, and faith-based organizations with a community-benefit project. Ineligible groups include 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations, (c)(6) business leagues, and (c)(19) veterans groups, along with homeowners associations, civic leagues, and volunteer fire companies. Confirming your status against this list before applying prevents an automatic decline.
Facility managers weigh three things: mission alignment, trust, and effectiveness. To score well, name a specific, demonstrated need in the store's community rather than a general cause, show that your organization is established and in good standing, and describe the work and its expected outcomes clearly. Local relationships help too, so if your group already partners with a nearby store, mention it. A concrete, locally grounded request is what facility managers are looking for.