Walmart Foundation's $9 million opens a grassland fund

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced on October 7 a $9 million grant from the Walmart Foundation to launch the Great Plains Grassland Fund, a public-private fund to protect and manage intact grasslands across the U.S. Great Plains. NFWF says the fund also draws on $9 million in aligned investment from McDonald's USA and several of its key suppliers, made through earlier contributions to the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, for a combined $18 million commitment.

NFWF describes the fund as a durable source of conservation money that other funders can join over time. "For Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, regeneration is a long-term commitment to the natural resources and people our business and communities depend on," said Julie Gehrki, president of the Walmart Foundation.

What it aims to protect

According to NFWF, roughly 2 million acres of Great Plains grasslands are converted to cropland each year, and only about half of the region's grasslands remain intact. The fund aims to permanently protect 150,000 to 200,000 acres at risk of conversion, using tools such as conservation easements, and to help ranchers improve management on another 150,000 to 200,000 acres. Landowners who take part keep ranching as the primary use of their land.

Who can apply, and the match

NFWF's request for proposals says up to $10 million will be available for projects in 2027. Its key terms:

• Eligible applicants. Nonprofit 501(c) organizations, state agencies, local and municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. Federal agencies, for-profit companies, individuals and international organizations cannot be the lead applicant.
• Match. Every award requires at least a one-to-one match in cash or contributed goods and services, and both federal and non-federal funds may count. NFWF notes that its other land conservation programs typically receive proposals with matches of five to one or more.
• Dates. An applicant webinar is set for October 23, 2026, and full proposals are due January 27, 2027. Awards are expected in 2027.

The request also says awards depend on NFWF receiving funds from its partners, and it strongly encourages applicants to talk with NFWF staff before the deadline. For land trusts and conservation groups, the match is the work to start now. Our guide to writing a grant budget a program officer can read covers how to show it.