Strengthening local communities. Working together to spark change.
We’re committed to building and supporting strong communities, while inspiring our associates to give back. Our giving programs meet specific social needs and we proudly work through our stores and associates to spark change. Over the past 29 years, we have raised and donated more than $650 million for Canadian charities, with a focus on helping fellow Canadians and their families when they need it most.
· 60 million meals to Food Banks Canada · $63 million to Breakfast Club of Canada to help feed students in schools across the country · $70 million in disaster relief funding to support The Canadian Red Cross · $200 million to Children’s Miracle Network to save and improve the lives of sick children in Canada
We believe every family should have access to affordable, safe, nutritious, food. Unfortunately, for too many Canadian families, this simply is not a reality. Together with our partners across the country, we’re working to make a real difference eliminating food insecurity in our communities.
Walmart - Breakfast Club of Canada
Walmart - Breakfast Club of Canada
Food Banks of Canada
Food donations
Walmart stores are paired with a local food bank to ensure good food is donated to those who need it most. Through this program, we have donated more than 30 million pounds of food to food banks across the country.
Fight Hunger. Spark Change.
Our annual ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign supports Food Banks Canada and their network of food banks across the country to provide meals to those in need. Over the past five years, the campaign has secured more than 60 million meals for Canadians.
Infrastructure and capacity building in our food bank network
Walmart and The Walmart Foundation have donated millions of dollars to help Food Banks Canada and food recovery networks improve and enhance their capacity and infrastructure so they can accept more food from all donors and distribute it faster.
Breakfast Club of Canada
Research has shown that a healthy breakfast to start a child’s day helps ensure they are able to thrive, learn and excel. But, many children in Canada arrive at school hungry. Breakfast Club of Canada’s programs ensure children have access to breakfast. Since 2003, Walmart Canada has worked with Breakfast Club of Canada, donating and raising more than $53 million to help feed more than 243,000 students each day, in 1,800 schools across the country.
Disaster Preparedness and Relief
The strongest communities are those that are prepared to respond during the worst of times. When disaster strikes – and our communities are in crisis – Walmart helps. We create awareness of disaster preparedness in local communities and we support the Canadian Red Cross’ response efforts.
Walmart - Canadian Red Cross
Walmart - Canadian Red Cross
Canadian Red Cross
We are proud to partner with the Canadian Red Cross to help Canadians prepare for disasters and to help the Red Cross respond more quickly and effectively when disaster strikes. The relationship between Walmart and the Canadian Red Cross is one of the largest partnerships within the worldwide Red Cross Movement and all its national societies. We are the Canadian Red Cross’ top corporate sponsor and since the partnership began, we have raised and donated more than $54 million in disaster relief funding to support their efforts.
Every year, Walmart customers are invited to contribute to the invaluable humanitarian work the Red Cross accomplishes in Canada and each store matches customer contributions to a maximum of $2,000.
Funds raised in communities are set aside to directly help families in that community. Our donations support distributing essential emergency supplies, hot meals, new clothing and a safe place to stay for those affected, as well as training and equipment for local volunteer teams.
Our efforts have assisted flood relief operations in Quebec and Ontario, forest fire relief and support in Western Canada, inclement weather responses in Atlantic Canada, as well as responses to provide relief to families affected by house fires and pre-emptive evacuations.
Community Engagement
Walmart is proud to be an integral part of nurturing strong communities across the country. With more than 400 stores and 12 distribution centres from coast-to-coast, Walmart associates are encouraged to engage with customers and local organizations in several ways to understand and support local needs.
Walmart - SickKids Hospital
Walmart - SickKids Hospital
Children's Miracle Network
We proudly support Children’s Miracle Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and improving the lives of sick children in Canada. For the past 27 years, and as the top corporate sponsor, we have proudly raised and donated more than $169 million to children’s hospitals, which has had a direct impact on the lives of the close to 5,000 kids these hospitals treat every day.
More Than a Donation
For our associates, supporting Children’s Miracle Network goes beyond collecting donations during our annual fundraising campaign. From the associate who encouraged customer donations by shaving all his hair (including his moustache!) to the associate who volunteered her car to be graffitied for a fundraiser, supporting the families of sick children is who we are and what we do.
Children’s Hospitals Week
One can only imagine the bravery a child must have when facing a grave illness, and the incredible strength they need to overcome adversity. We’re humbled by the courage of these kids and believe we should hold them up as an example for both children and grown-ups alike. Each Children’s Miracle Network member hospital selects an ambassador, a “Champion” to represent their hospital community and the more than 2.3 million children treated in Canadian CMN member hospitals each year. These inspiring young Champions help advocate for support of children’s hospitals across Canada.
The Salvation Army
Every year, Walmart Canada stores rally with customers to help The Salvation Army fill their kettles on Walmart Fill the Kettle Day. Walmart matches donations made by individuals to Salvation Army Christmas kettles located in select stores nationwide up to a maximum of $100,000. The Christmas Kettle Campaign enables local Salvation Army units to work with struggling individuals and families by providing basic necessities. The campaign also supports The Army’s life-changing programs that help people find a way out of poverty, permanently.
Year after year, Walmart Canada also contributes to CTV’s Toy Mountain supporting The Salvation Army in Toronto, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver. Walmart’s donations go towards the purchase of new toys for children in need at Christmas.
The Salvation Army is Walmart Canada’s primary donation partner for non-saleable general merchandise. Donations to The Salvation Army National Recycling Operations (NRO) are a way to divert waste from landfill and lessen the impact on our environment while raising millions of dollars annually to support Salvation Army programs, services and emergency relief efforts.
Local Giving
Walmart believes that strengthening local communities through local grants supporting local programs creates value for our business as well as society and help communities thrive.
Community Grant Program
We empower each Walmart store and distribution centre to strengthen and support the communities where our associates live and work through funding of local non-profit organizations. Community grants valued at $1,000 are given to eligible local organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services and community clean-up projects. For more details or to apply for a community grant, please click here.
To see how our grants have improved the lives of Canadians, we’re proud to be able to share their stories.
Regional and National Grant Program
By partnering with regional and national organizations, we can make a bigger impact and deliver on our mission of supporting Canadian families in need. Regional and national grants valued at over $1,000 are given to eligible non-profit organizations. For more details or to apply for a regional or national grant, please click here.
To see how our grants have improved the lives of Canadians, we’re proud to be able to share their stories.
Apply for a Donation
Corporate giving at Walmart is as much about giving hope and inspiring change as it is about giving money. Working together with our customers, Walmart has raised and donated more than $500 million to non-profit organizations - one meal, one blanket, one school, one community at a time.
First, a few ground rules: Submitting an online application or meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding. There is no deadline to apply; applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Walmart does not award multi-year commitments. Only successful applicants will be contacted. We encourage funding requests that align with our areas of focus however, all proposals that work toward strengthening Canadian communities will be considered.