The Walmart Foundation awarded the Community Foundation of Grant County $25,000 in front of a crowd of mentors and the students the program is designed to help. The grant will help Project Leadership in Grant and Delaware counties to identify at-risk youth who have the desire and potential to attend college and receive post-secondary education.“The Walmart Foundation’s generous contribution will generate a positive ripple effect among children and families in Grant and Delaware counties for years to come,” Project Leadership Director Tammy Pearson said. “We believe this gift from Walmart will have a long-lasting impact on our communities’ quality of life and future economic health. Project Leadership is grateful for Walmart’s strong involvement and connection with our communities, which will assure that the youths we serve will one day live better – and fulfilling – lives.”
Within the last year, the Indiana State Giving Program awarded more than $837,500 to local organizations such as Salvation Army, Down Syndrome Indiana, Indiana Recycling Coalition, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Tri-State Food Bank, FBI/AFCA Child Identification Program and the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce. In Indiana, a team of local associates determine needs within each state, review eligible grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Walmart Foundation.
“Walmart is pleased to support community programs like Project Leadership,” said Jason Wetzel, senior manager of public affairs for Walmart in Indiana. “This is Walmart’s way of continuing to serve the community and our commitment to help prepare youth for a stronger, educated future.”
To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Eligible applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum funding criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
From February 2008 through January 2009, the Walmart Foundation awarded more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts, an $85.6 million increase over its global giving in the previous year.
Walmart’s FYE 2009 giving breakdown:
• In the U.S., Walmart gave more than $378 million in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $296 million in 2007.
• In international markets, Walmart gave $45.5 million in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $41 million in 2007.
• Globally, Walmart’s customers and associates gave more than $106 million through in-store giving programs that benefit local charities.
In total, Walmart, its Foundations, its customers and its associates supported communities around the globe with nearly $530 million in charitable contributions during FYE 2009.
In Indiana, Walmart operates more than 124 facilities employing 40,321 associates. It’s Walmart and Sam’s Club stores gave more than $7.3 million in cash and in-kind donations to local causes and organizations in the communities it serves in Indiana. With additional funds raised through stores and Clubs in Indiana, Walmart contributed a total of $10.4 million as a result of its Indiana presence. The company paid more than $45.4 million in Indiana state and local taxes in fiscal year ending in 2008.
About Project Leadership
Project Leadership is an eight-year old organization that began as a way to promote education and increase student enrollment in post-secondary programs. Today, Project Leadership recruits middle school students into Indiana’s Twenty-first Century Scholars program, which provides the financial means for low-income students to go to college. The program is structured to give scholars the tools they need for success – scholarship tuition, positive attention through mentorship, tutoring, social interaction and encouragement to believe they can achieve and succeed at their goals.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.
