Walmart has partnered with local nonprofits that care for animals, empower women, provide resources for children, and support vulnerable populations, according to a release.
Through its Spark Good grant program, in Q2 of 2025, Walmart provided over $60,000 in grants to organizations in the Fresno area, funding programs focused on education and mentorship, animal care and community health.
One standout recipient is the Clovis-based Central California Women’s Conference, which received multiple grants totaling $7,500 to support its annual one-day conference dedicated to helping women succeed personally and professionally. With support from sponsors like Walmart, the conference funded scholarships for women returning to college and helped raise more than $110,000 in community funds, which were distributed as grants to 72 local organizations serving women, children and teens.
“This grant has been transformative in advancing our mission of empowering women,” said Karen Franz, Director of Development for the Central California Women’s Conference. “Through Walmart’s support, we were able to create an atmosphere of learning, connection, and inspiration at our annual conference. The support has truly strengthened our mission to lift women up and drive lasting change in their communities.”
Pawsitive Connections, a small, no-kill nonprofit dog rescue, received the Walmart Spark Good grant of $1,000. The grant helped provide critical support for the rescue, supplying dog food, which is one of the rescue’s largest expenses.
“Walmart’s support has made a tremendous impact on our rescue,” said Penny Pumphrey from Pawsitive Connections. “As a very small nonprofit, dog food is one of our biggest ongoing expenses. This grant helped ensure every dog in our care had what they needed to stay healthy, which allowed us to take in more senior and medical cases that might otherwise be overlooked. The Spark Good program is easy to navigate, and Walmart has continued to stand by us. That kind of support is a huge relief and makes all the difference for organizations like ours.”
Among many other recipients, two additional local Fresno organizations received support to continue their important work. Exceptional Parents Unlimited was awarded a $1,000 grant to provide training, support, and financial investment for families and children age five and younger. Refuge Aroma received a $1,500 grant to continue offering schoolwork help for youth and creating safe spaces after school.
“At Walmart, we’re proud to invest in organizations that make a real difference in our neighborhoods,” said Hector Benavides, Walmart market manager. “It’s inspiring to see groups like the Central California Women’s Conference and Refuge Aroma create programs that uplift residents and strengthen our community. Knowing that Walmart is investing into our communities and initiatives is truly rewarding to see.”