McDonald's-backed grants unlock $99.1m for conservation across 100,650 US acres

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. Together, these projects will help permanently conserve more than 100,650 acres of grasslands while keeping ranching operations productive and economically viable.The landmark, seven-year initiative aims to invest more than $200 million to benefit America’s iconic grasslands, cattle ranching communities and wildlife populati...