Walmart Foundation & McDonald’s USA – Great Plains Grassland Fund (2027)
Up to $10 Million Available for Grassland Conservation, Ranching Communities, and Wildlife Habitat Protection
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), with major financial support from Walmart Foundation, McDonald’s USA, and corporate supply-chain partners, has launched the Great Plains Grassland Fund to protect threatened grasslands across the American Great Plains.
The initiative combines a $9 million commitment from Walmart Foundation with $9 million in aligned investments from McDonald’s USA and its suppliers. The initial competitive funding opportunity will make up to $10 million available for projects that permanently protect grasslands, conserve wildlife habitat, and strengthen working ranchlands and rural economies.
Applications are due January 27, 2027.
Organization: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF)
Major Corporate Funders: Walmart Foundation, McDonald’s USA, and participating suppliers
Support Type: Public-private conservation grants
Geographic Focus: Eligible grassland landscapes across the U.S. Great Plains
Funding Available: Up to $10 million across the 2027 funding round
Matching Requirement: Minimum 1:1 match
Application Deadline: January 27, 2027
About the Funders
Walmart Foundation
Walmart Foundation is providing $9 million to establish the Great Plains Grassland Fund.
The investment reflects Walmart’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability, regenerative agriculture, and resilient agricultural supply chains.
The Foundation has an established conservation partnership with NFWF, including work through the Acres for America program.
McDonald’s USA & Corporate Suppliers
McDonald’s USA and several major suppliers are supporting the initiative through $9 million in aligned investments associated with the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative.
Corporate partners involved in the broader initiative include:
- McDonald’s USA
- Cargill
- Golden State Foods
- Lopez Dorada
- OSI
- The Coca-Cola Company
These companies participate in a broader conservation effort focused on improving grassland health, supporting ranching communities, and strengthening the sustainability of agricultural supply chains.
The Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, launched in 2025, aims to improve the health and resilience of 4 million acres of grasslands over seven years.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
NFWF administers the Great Plains Grassland Fund and manages the competitive application process.
Chartered by Congress in 1984, NFWF is a conservation foundation that works with government agencies, corporations, foundations, and nonprofit organizations to protect and restore wildlife habitats.
Although the program involves public-sector partners, significant corporate philanthropic investment is central to the fund’s development and implementation.
What This Program Supports
The Great Plains Grassland Fund prioritizes projects that permanently protect grasslands while supporting sustainable ranching and rural communities.
Permanent Grassland Protection
Projects that prevent intact grasslands from being converted into cropland or developed land.
Activities may include:
- Voluntary conservation easements
- Long-term land protection agreements
- Protection of high-value grassland landscapes
- Strategic conservation acquisitions
- Protection of land at significant risk of conversion
Wildlife Habitat & Biodiversity
Projects that protect ecologically important grasslands and maintain connected wildlife habitats.
Priorities include:
- Protecting habitat for grassland birds and other wildlife
- Conserving areas with high biodiversity
- Connecting protected landscapes
- Maintaining wildlife migration corridors
- Reducing habitat fragmentation
Sustainable Ranching & Working Lands
Projects that strengthen ranching operations while preserving grassland ecosystems.
Examples include:
- Community-led grazing management
- Grassbanks and grazing associations
- Cooperative land management strategies
- Adaptive grazing and restoration practices
- Technical and financial assistance for ranchers
Water Conservation & Watershed Protection
Projects that improve water quantity and quality through grassland conservation.
Activities may include protecting watersheds, riparian areas, and other important water resources.
Rural Community & Economic Resilience
Projects that engage ranchers and local communities in long-term conservation strategies.
The fund favors initiatives that demonstrate local leadership, community support, and economic benefits for working agricultural landscapes.
Eligible Support Types
The program supports land protection and related conservation activities, including:
- Conservation easements
- Eligible land acquisitions
- Community-led land protection models
- Grassland restoration and sustainable management connected to protection efforts
- Technical assistance and collaborative conservation planning
Conservation easements are the program’s primary strategy, but complementary approaches are encouraged.
Applicants may propose projects involving multiple properties within one application.
NFWF also welcomes innovative conservation models that have not yet identified specific properties.
Eligibility & Preferences
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c) tax-exempt status
- State government agencies
- Local and municipal governments
- Tribal governments and organizations
- Educational institutions
Partnerships among conservation organizations, ranching groups, landowners, and public agencies are encouraged.
Geographic Eligibility
Projects must be located within the Great Plains Grassland Fund’s designated program boundary.
Eligible projects must focus on grass-dominated landscapes in the Great Plains region.
Applicants should consult NFWF’s official program boundary map to confirm that their proposed conservation area qualifies.
Geographic eligibility is based on the project location, not simply the applicant’s headquarters.
Project Preferences
Competitive proposals should demonstrate:
- Significant grassland conservation benefits
- High risk of land conversion
- Strong wildlife habitat value
- Connections to existing protected lands
- Support from local ranching communities
- Measurable conservation outcomes
- Long-term sustainability
- Strong financial and implementation partnerships
Ineligible Requests
Ineligible primary applicants include:
- Federal government agencies
- For-profit businesses
- Individuals applying independently
- International organizations
These entities may participate as project partners, subrecipients, or matching contributors where permitted.
Grant funding cannot support:
- Political advocacy or lobbying
- Fundraising activities
- Litigation
- Activities prohibited under applicable federal requirements
- Projects solely intended to meet existing legal compliance obligations
Equipment purchases may require additional review and approval.
Funding Amounts
Total Available for 2027: Up to $10 Million
NFWF has not established a standard minimum or maximum award amount for individual projects.
Awards will depend on project scope, conservation value, available funding, and application competitiveness.
Matching Funds Requirement
All awards require a minimum 1:1 match.
For example, a project requesting $500,000 must provide at least $500,000 in eligible matching contributions.
Matching contributions may include:
- Cash contributions
- Donated goods and services
- Volunteer labor
- Eligible property contributions
- Federal or non-federal funding
- Partner contributions supporting related restoration activities
Applicants are encouraged to exceed the minimum match when possible.
Timeline & Review
📅 Request for Proposals Released: October 7, 2026
📅 Applicant Webinar: October 23, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time
📅 Full Proposal Deadline: January 27, 2027, at 9:59 p.m. Mountain Time
📅 Award Announcements: May 2027
NFWF strongly encourages applicants to consult with program staff before submitting a proposal.
Funding decisions are competitive and depend on the quality of proposals and availability of funds.
Application / Request Process
Applications must be submitted through NFWF’s Easygrants online system.
Applicants should:
- Register or log in to Easygrants.
- Select the Great Plains Grassland Fund funding opportunity.
- Describe the proposed conservation project and its objectives.
- Identify the grassland areas proposed for protection.
- Explain the conservation value and risk of land conversion.
- Provide a detailed project budget and matching contributions.
- Document community and rancher engagement.
- Submit required geographic data, conservation information, and supporting materials.
Projects involving conservation easements must provide appropriate property information and proposed easement restrictions.
Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate measurable outcomes, including acres protected, habitat connectivity, and anticipated benefits to local communities.
Apply / Learn More:
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is particularly well suited for organizations that:
- Work in land conservation and habitat protection
- Partner with ranchers and agricultural communities
- Have experience negotiating conservation easements
- Protect native grasslands and wildlife corridors
- Support sustainable grazing and working lands
- Can assemble substantial matching contributions
- Have the capacity to manage complex, multiyear conservation projects
The Great Plains Grassland Fund offers substantial financial support for organizations pursuing permanent conservation outcomes across working agricultural landscapes.
Its combination of corporate philanthropic investment, public-private partnerships, and locally led conservation makes it particularly relevant for organizations working at the intersection of environmental protection, sustainable agriculture, and rural economic resilience.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Review Type: Competitive full-proposal process
Deadline: January 27, 2027
Awards Announced: May 2027
Total Funding Available: Up to $10 million
Individual Award Amount: Not specified
Matching Requirement: Minimum 1:1
Corporate Funding Partners: Walmart Foundation, McDonald’s USA, and participating suppliers
Grant Administrator: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Geographic Restriction: Designated Great Plains grassland landscapes
Best Suited For: Conservation nonprofits, land trusts, Tribal organizations, educational institutions, and public agencies
Application Strategy: Engage NFWF staff early, document grassland conversion risks, secure matching commitments, and demonstrate measurable long-term conservation benefits.