Walmart Canada and Walmart Foundation will be disbursing over $3.5 million in grants to seven Canadian organizations. These organizations support and work with indigenous and Black communities in Canada in various fields such as education and health as well as career advancement and food security.

Nabeela Ixtabalan, Executive Vice President of People and Corporate Affairs at Walmart Canada said that the big box retailer would use its size and scale to make an impact as they look forward to creating a “more just and equitable society across Canada.”

Walmart Canada has 400 stores across the nation and serves more than 1.5 million customers in a day. It employees over 100,000 associates in Canada. Since 1994, Walmart Canada has collected and donated over $500 million to Canadian charities.

The grant recipients and amounts in US dollars are as follows:

Information and Communications Technology Council–$500,000
NPower Canada–$500,000
Food Banks Canada–$599,250
Community Foundations of Canada–$1,050,000
Women’s College Hospital Foundation–$150,000
York University–$75,000
Indspire–$50,000.

The chairs, presidents and CEOs of these foundations and organizations have commented on the grants. They expressed their gratitude to Walmart and said that the amounts would help further initiatives in food security, health, education and more.

These grants are the first round of funds from the total commitment of $20 million USD for a period of more than five years. Initiatives that advance equity and strengthen food systems in these communities are the areas where Walmart Canada and the Walmart Foundation is focusing as it strategizes to become a regenerative company.

We have a long-standing commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion. With the Walmart Foundation we’re announcing initiatives to address drivers of systemic racism in society and accelerate change — an announcement that’s been in the works for months.https://t.co/wguDHk7Ov0 pic.twitter.com/x1NmKLnYdY

– Walmart Canada (@WalmartCanada) June 9, 2021

The philanthropic grants from Walmart is a part of its Live Better equity strategy and will advance equity in

Education & Employment
Health & Well-Being
Supplier Diversity Procurement.

Walmart Canada is focusing on creating value for the business, for customers and for society as it builds “Opportunities for All.”