Walmart Canada, the Walmart Foundation invest $3.5 million in grants to support Black and Indigenous communities

Who: Walmart Canada and the Walmart Foundation

What: The big-box retailer and its philanthropic arm are awarding more than $3.5 million in grants to seven Canadian organizations supporting Indigenous and Black communities.

The grants are the first round of funding from the Walmart Foundation's US$20 million commitment over five years to advance equity for Black and Indigenous communities in Canada through food security and economic opportunity, according to a press release.

Grant recipients include: Information and Communications Technology Council (US$500,000); NPower Canada (US$500,000); Food Banks Canada (US$599,259); Community Foundations of Canada (C$1,050,000); Women's College Hospital Foundation (C$150,000); York University (C$75,000); Indspire (C$50,000).

"As part of our strategy to become a regenerative company we are advocating and driving systemic change to build more inclusive communities across Canada," said Nabeela Ixtabalan, executive vice-president people and corporate affairs, Walmart Canada, in a press release. "We will use our size and scale to make an impact towards a more just and equitable society across Canada"