WAL-Mart Foundation
The Wal-Mart Foundation is a private foundation based in Bentonville, Arkansas, and Walmart Inc. entirely funds it. It supports work related to creating economic opportunity, advancing sustainability, and strengthening communities, with particular emphasis on communities where Walmart operates.
WAL-Mart Foundation at a glance
In short: WAL-Mart Foundation gave $113.9M across 144 grants in 2025 (avg $791K), top state Virginia. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $113,900,369
- -13.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 144
- -19.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $790,975
- +7.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $430,000
- Total assets
- $23,414,644
- -22.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (44 of 143, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to WAL-Mart Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
Review the relevant program’s eligibility requirements and instructions through “How We Give.” Application routes vary by program and may include invitations, requests for proposals, concept notes, or an open process. For Spark Good Local Grants, applicants must have a Spark Good account verified by Walmart’s verification partner.
- Review Cycle
- The Healthier Food for All concept-note opportunity has no deadline and is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
- Deadline
- The Healthier Food for All concept-note opportunity has no deadline and is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
- Contact
Application contact: Wal-Mart Foundation
Mailing address: 702 Sw 8Th Street Dept 9740 0150, Bentonville, AR 72716-0150
Phone: (800) 530-9925
Website: https://walmart.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from WAL-Mart Foundation
Northwest Arkansas Giving: Increasing Access to Healthier Food for All Grant
WAL-Mart Foundation
Amount
US $20,000 - US $100,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Northwest Arkansas Giving: Walmart and Sam’s Club Event Sponsorships Grant
WAL-Mart Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Spark Good: Strengthening Community - Local Grants
WAL-Mart Foundation
Amount
US $250 - US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who WAL-Mart Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Conservation International Foundation ($8.5M). Together the top 10 received $36.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
2,242 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,399 grants of 2,242 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it supports work in markets where Walmart operates, with particular emphasis on communities where its retail stores are located. Its 2025 grant dollars were concentrated among recipients in Virginia, the District of Columbia, Arkansas, and New York; the filing also lists grants to recipients in Canada.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 144 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is WAL-Mart Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 44 of 143 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $504K; repeat grants $926K. How we count
Medians: $300K first-time, $500K repeat.
- 34% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $113.9M (2025) to $156.6M (2021). In 2025 it made 144 grants totaling $113.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation International Foundation Arlington, VA | NATURE | $8,510,199 |
| Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | NATURE | $5,702,615 |
| Technoserve Inc Arlington, VA | People in Supply Chains | $4,800,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund Inc Washington, DC | NATURE | $2,704,091 |
| Food Banks Canada | Healthier Food for All | $2,528,750 |
| Community Foundations of Canada | Healthier Food for All | $2,500,000 |
| Foundation for Black Communities | Healthier Food for All | $2,500,000 |
| Trust for Public Land Los Angeles, CA | Caring and Connected Communities | $2,500,000 |
| The Recycling Partnership Inc Washington, DC | WASTE | $2,499,900 |
| Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Washington, DC | Healthier Food for All | $2,465,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $23,414,644 | $114,855,982 | $115,673,194 | $113,900,369 | 144 | $119,938,388 | $131,226 | $792,795 |
| 2024 | $30,282,854 | $132,015,837 | $132,518,079 | $131,620,851 | 178 | $131,675,396 | $127,247 | $1,480,707 |
| 2023 | $24,354,839 | $133,635,610 | $132,365,509 | $131,825,342 | 180 | $132,731,023 | — | $1,188,437 |
| 2022 | $25,504,578 | $130,975,338 | $129,006,429 | $126,628,820 | 814 | $127,579,491 | — | $1,402,245 |
| 2021 | $29,797,197 | $158,176,545 | $158,159,562 | $156,638,775 | 926 | — | — | $1,038,149 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, WAL-Mart Foundation reported a distributable amount of $793K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated priorities are creating economic opportunity, enhancing sustainability, strengthening community, and advancing racial equity. Its website also identifies areas including climate, waste, nature, people in supply chains, local community support, caring and connected communities, healthier food for all, support for associates, and disaster preparedness and response.
Its 2025 grants included support for conservation, food access, supply-chain work, recycling, and community programs. Among the grantees, Conservation International Foundation says it works to secure benefits that nature provides to humanity, and The Nature Conservancy says its mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which life depends. TechnoServe says it fights poverty by helping people build regenerative farms, businesses, and markets. The Recycling Partnership says it works to build a better recycling system. Other grantees included organizations whose stated missions include supporting low- and moderate-income families, helping older adults age well, and improving children’s health.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 144 grants totaling $113,900,369. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $8,510,199, with a median of $430,000.
The largest reported grants included $8,510,199 to Conservation International Foundation for nature; $5,702,615 to The Nature Conservancy for nature; $4,800,000 to TechnoServe for people in supply chains; and $2,704,091 to World Wildlife Fund for nature. Other large awards included $2,528,750 to Food Banks Canada and $2,500,000 each to Community Foundations of Canada and Foundation for Black Communities, all for healthier food for all.
The foundation’s website says applicants should first review its giving priorities and the guidelines for the specific program. Spark Good Local Grants use an open application process for eligible organizations serving the area of the Walmart store, Sam’s Club, or distribution center they apply to. The foundation’s filing directs applicants to “How We Give” for application materials and deadlines and says grants are restricted to its funding priorities. A currently listed concept-note opportunity is limited to the Healthier Food for All focus area; concept notes are reviewed on an ongoing basis with no deadline. Spark Good Local Grants are listed as active, with awards of $250 to $5,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kathleen McLaughlin as director and chairman, Julie Gehrki as president, and Jacquelyn Brigance as treasurer. It also lists Dan Bartlett, Doug McMillon, Rachel Brand, Eduardo de la Garza, Anshu Bhardwaj, Brandi Joplin, and Kaylan Krishnamurthy as directors.
WAL-Mart Foundation is led by Julie Gehrki, President since 2025 (on filings since 2021); none of the 17 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Julie Gehrki
President
Vice President & COO → President, 2025
On filings since 2021
16 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen McLaughlin
Director & Chairman
President → Director & Chairman, 2025
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandi Joplin
Director
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Bartlett
Director
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Doug McMillon
Director
Chairman → Director, 2025
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rachel Brand
Director
On filings since 2021
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kaylan Krishnamurthy
Director
On filings since 2022
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anshu Bhardwaj
Director
On filings since 2023
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Morris
Director
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John David Rainey
Director
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William White
Director
On filings since 2024
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Albright
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Credric Clark
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bj Crouch
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2021
12 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacquelyn Brigance
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bryan Del Rosario
Secretary
On filings since 2023
6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karrie Denniston Start
Vice President & COO
New on the 2025 filing
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (23)
- Former: Eduardo De La Garza (2021–2025) — Director · Filing note: Ended 1072024
- Former: Charles Redfield (2021–2024) — Director · Filing note: Ended 10/11/2023
- Former: Janey Whiteside (2022–2024) — Director · Filing note: Ended 10/11/2023
- Former: Andrea Albright Start (2024) — Director
- Former: Cedric Clark Start (2024) — Director
- Former: Ben Hasan (2021–2023) — Director · Filing note: Ended 7302022
- Former: Brett Biggs (2021–2023) — Director · Filing note: Ended 7312022
- Former: Julie Murphy (2021–2023) — Director · Filing note: Ended 10/25/2022
- Former: Donna Morris Start (2023) — Director
- Former: John David Rainey Start (2023) — Director
- Former: William White Start (2023) — Director
- Former: Kabir Kumar (2021–2022) — Retired Assistant Secretary · Filing note: Ended 3212021
- Former: Susan Muigai (2021–2022) — Director · Filing note: Ended 10/26/2021
- Former: Susan Roberts (2021–2022) — Retired Secretary · Filing note: Ended 212021
- Former: Anshu Bhardwaj Start (2022) — Director
- Former: Bryan Del Rosario Start (2022) — Secretary
- Former: Alberto Sepulveda (2021) — Retired Director · Filing note: Ended 1082020
- Former: Bob Hakeen (2021) — Retired Director · Filing note: Ended 1082020
- Former: Fiona Tan (2021) — Retired Director · Filing note: Ended 1082020
- Former: Jamie Ianonne (2021) — Retired Director · Filing note: Ended 1082020
- Former: Janey Whiteside Start (2021) — Director
- Former: Kaylan Krishnamurthy Start (2021) — Director
- Former: Wern Yuen-Tan (2021) — Retired Director · Filing note: Ended 1082020
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about WAL-Mart Foundation
How much does WAL-Mart Foundation give each year?
WAL-Mart Foundation gave $113.9M across 144 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $131.6M across 178 grants.
What is WAL-Mart Foundation's typical grant size?
WAL-Mart Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $430,000, and its average grant was $790,975, across 144 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from WAL-Mart Foundation that year got $504K on average.
Where does WAL-Mart Foundation give grants?
WAL-Mart Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (19%) and Arkansas (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (21 grants), Rogers, AR (12 grants), Fayetteville, AR (11 grants) and Bentonville, AR (9 grants).
Does WAL-Mart Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 144 grants with a stated purpose on WAL-Mart Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Northwest Arkansas" (43 grants), "Disaster Relief and Preparedness" (29 grants) and "People in Supply Chains" (17 grants).
Who are WAL-Mart Foundation's largest grantees?
WAL-Mart Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Conservation International Foundation ($8,510,199), Nature Conservancy ($5,702,615) and Technoserve Inc ($4,800,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is WAL-Mart Foundation?
WAL-Mart Foundation reported $23.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $119.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $793K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does WAL-Mart Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated priorities are creating economic opportunity, enhancing sustainability, strengthening community, and advancing racial equity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from WAL-Mart Foundation?
Review the relevant program’s eligibility requirements and instructions through “How We Give.” Application routes vary by program and may include invitations, requests for proposals, concept notes, or an open process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is WAL-Mart Foundation's EIN?
WAL-Mart Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5639919. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). WAL-Mart Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wal-mart-foundation-morg_90ced302295747958cd9e81de239fdf1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205639919_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{WAL-Mart Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wal-mart-foundation-morg_90ced302295747958cd9e81de239fdf1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from WAL-Mart Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
WAL-Mart Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?