I spoke to the "Good Works Coordinator" at my local Wal-mart last summer. She was very helpful in telling me about not just their grants but also their outright donations. While I was clear that I would be applying for a matching grant for our school's annual walk-a-thon in which we raise money for a new reading or math program, she offered that they'd make a donation up to $100 for something else as well. So I asked for $100 for our school picnic in September and she gave me $50. She encouraged me to hurry and get our request in for our grant (I sent it in October and our walk-a-thon is in June). She said she has a monthly amount of money, and it's given out first-come-first-served. She didn't say anything about Feb 1. She did say that our school was in her store's "territory" and that if I applied to another Wal-mart in the other direction (where I actually do my shopping), they'd send us back to her store.
The president and I went to our WalMart yesterday, Feb 1st. We were told they only did it for the associates who volunteered. I told them I knew about that one and described what you had above. I probably should have printed it out. Anyway, the manager said ONLY for the associates and that was it. We are thinking of trying another WalMart.
Our school is in a different county than the store that I work in. There is a store in the county that the school is in and I get the same matching grants from BOTH stores. I don't know all the ins and outs of "benefiting the enitre community" because out Grant Coordinator at my store told me that she would match it because the people from our school shop in our store too. It's not who it benefits, my word, that store should never have to give out any money because what fundraiser can benefit everyone? That makes no sense. And I find that to be out and out crazy. I will get w/ my grant coor. on Friday ( I'm off tomorrow ) and ask her. But I truly believe that they are not correct on having to benefit everyone. It will benefit everyone at that school correct? Not just one grade level or anything like that? What am I asking that for? We match baseball teams that collect money at the front doors at WM...that really isn't benefiting anyone but that team. I'll see what I can find out. I'll post more on Friday night or Saturday Night.
~B
I have a question... we called our neighborhood WM and inquired about the matching grants. They were very cautious and said that the fundraiser had to "benefit the entire community". So...how do we answer that question? It's a simple fundraiser (we are selling ceramic tiles that the kids will paint and they will be mounted around the school). All the money will go to the school - cultural arts programs, student scholarships, teacher scholarships, etc. All the basic normal stuff that PTAs do for their schools. This answer wasn't good enough for them. Can you give me some tips in order to persuade the answer to be yes. Thanks in advance.
Thanks for not making this into a WW3 about a movie. All I am/was trying to do is to help other PTO/PTA's that can have money matched to a fundraiser. I am sorry that you do not shop at WM. Although, I hate the fact that you and your PTO/A are not able to benefit from money that WM contributes to it's community. It is very easy money to receive and little effort is put forth to get it.
I, too, am not here to talk about WM's business practices. I have worked for them for years though and I know that not everyone is aware of the money that they contribute. That is why when the PTO found me...haha...and I found this site, I figured that I could share some insight that I have on my company by telling people the day that was best to apply for these grants.
Thank you ademom74 again!!
~B
KayCee- Yes I have, which is one of the many reasons that I do not shop at Walmart...ever.
But this is not the venue for discussing their businesses practices.
