Aspiration

Support programs that provide financial support to associates in crisis.

When people face an unexpected tragedy — a fire, a flood or the death of a loved one — it can be overwhelming for them and their families. The Associates in Critical Need Trust (ACNT), a public charity created in 2001, provides grants to U.S. associates experiencing economic hardship as a result of an unforeseen crisis. Walmart contributes to the Trust, as do the Walmart Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, associates and Walmart alumni. Since 2001, the Trust has provided more than 125,000 grants totaling more than $100 million to associates in need. In FY2015 alone, ACNT helped 342 associates impacted by natural disasters who needed food, clothing or shelter, and 3,849 associates impacted by loss of household income due to circumstances such as a death in the family or a spouse losing their job.

LaKisha Bowman: Hope after a fire

Blouses, jeans, shoes, pictures, furniture, a home and a sense of security − these are all things that LaKisha Bowman, a Walmart associate in Garland, Texas, for 14 years, lost when the home she was renting went up in flames in 2009. “Associates were coming to me and saying, ‘I think your house is on fire,’” she said. Her home was within walking distance of the store, and the sound of fire truck sirens was unmistakably close.

By the time LaKisha made it to what was left of her home, there was nothing salvageable. But the support she received from her store manager and fellow associates nearly made her forget all of that. “They raised money for me to stay at a hotel; they helped me get clothes and then I applied for the Associates in Critical Need Trust (ACNT),” LaKisha said. “The support I received from fellow associates and ACNT really helped me get back on my feet. If there’s anything you can do to help somebody, do it, because you never know when you’ll be in a similar situation.”

Aspiration

Provide scholarships for associates and their dependents to earn a postsecondary degree or certificate.

For more than three decades, the Walmart Foundation has committed to making resources available to help U.S. associates or their dependents who are high school seniors fulfill their educational goals through the Associate Scholarship Program. The funds can be used toward a two- or four-year college degree, or a trade or technical school certificate. Since FY2012, the Walmart Foundation has given $22.4 million to organizations that award scholarships to our associates and their dependents. Rather than make one-time payouts, we require each scholarship recipient to maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average and either 12 credit hours per semester for dependents or three credit hours per quarter for associates. Those who meet the criteria are eligible to renew their scholarship for further assistance with a total contribution of up to $16,000 for associates or up to $13,000 for dependents. The number of eligible recipients is limited by the IRS.

Dear Scholarship Committee,

I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing me as one of your recipients for the Walmart Dependent Scholarship. Before this scholarship, I would spend many sleepless nights worrying about how I was going to financially support my education. I'm so honored and grateful for this scholarship and for people like you who have contributed so much of their time and financial efforts to making this scholarship available.

This scholarship will greatly help with tuition, textbooks and housing as I pursue my Bachelor's degree in Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin. I can’t wait to embark on my next journey and to take you all along with me! I assure you I will work my hardest in order to one day be successful enough to be on a scholarship committee, like you.

Thank you,
Sahur Augsteen

Daughter of George Augsteen, associate, Walmart Supercenter, Garland, Texas