McDonald's-backed grants unlock $99.1m for conservation across 100,650 US acres
McDonald's and its suppliers have contributed to a $2.4 million grant initiative managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to support conservation easements on over 100,000 acres of US ranch land. The project aims to protect grasslands and wildlife habitats while maintaining the economic viability of working ranches.
Why it matters
This public-private partnership demonstrates how corporate funding can scale environmental conservation efforts on private working lands.
McDonald's has approximately 13,500 restaurants in US, and while the brand serves a variety of menu options across the country, it also supports other causes. On August 27, 2026, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) announced nearly $2.4 million in grants, supported by funding from McDonald's USA and several of its suppliers. The initiative aims to help complete voluntary conservation easements on working ranches across the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain West and West Coast of US, as per the NFWF website.The grants will unlock nearly $99.1 million in total conservation impact by leveraging approximately $96.7 million in matching contributions that support the advancement of conservation easements. Awarded through the Grassland Resilience and Conservation Initiative, the six grants help complete conservation easements on 31 properties across 11 states.
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