Community Giving & Donations
Each month, Whole Foods Market, Haight sponsors several charities. Schools, charities, philanthropic and other non-profit groups: we are pleased to help the organizations that make our community better. We donate gift cards, products, gift bags for silent auctions, food for events and more. If you belong to a non-profit group that fits with Whole Foods Market’s mission and have a specific event or program that needs sponsorship, please apply to be considered.
Due to the volume of requests we get, please apply 4-6 weeks prior to your event and keep in mind that we may not be able to fulfill every donation request and respond to every application. Please note that every application must be accompanied by a copy of your 501(c)3 letter from the IRS in order to be processed.
Whole Foods Market has specific guidelines for organizations we are able to support through donations. In addition to being a 501c3, you must fall into one of the following categories:
- Environmental Preservation
- Preventative Health Care through Nutrition
- Hunger Relief
- Organic Farming/Sustainable Food Resources
- Education on any of the above
When funding is available, we will consider donating to organizations that fall outside these categories, but have strong neighborhood ties.
Please also keep the following in mind:
- Requests by phone will not be accepted
- Please apply for a donation from the store located closest to your organization headquarters or event (see list on the Application of neighborhoods that our SF stores serve)
- Do not contact multiple stores for the same donation.
- We do not donate to individuals or individuals seeking pledges.
- We do not provide cash donations
- Each organization is restricted to one donation per calendar year, past support of an organization or event is not a guarantee of future support.
The recipient must be a 501c3 nonprofit organization. A copy of the 501c3 letter from the IRS, along with state tax forms must accompany the application. The 501c3 letter comes from the treasury and is different from state forms. Public schools should submit a tax ID on District letterhead.
Although we would like to support every worthwhile cause, due to the volume of applications we receive it is not possible for Whole Foods Market to fulfill every request. We will contact you only if we are interested and able to donate.
We are also pleased to offer the following programs as part of our commitment to our community.
DonationApplicationWholeFoodsMarketSanFranciscov2[2].pdf
Nickels for Non-Profits:
Did you know that Whole Foods Market gives customers a 5-cent credit for bringing your own shopping bags? Did you know that we also have a program where customers can donate that credit to local nonprofit organizations? If you are a customer who reuses bags to save paper, consider donating your credit to our designated non-profit. If you are with a local charity, apply to be considered for the program. Please be sure to include your non-profit tax-ID# and your W9 to help us process your application. Thanks to all our environmentally conscious customers for helping to support great local non-profits!
Whole Foods Market Haight Nickels for Nonprofits Application.pdf
5% Community Support Days:
Our Community 5% Days are one meaningful way we give back to our community. On designated days throughout the year a total of 5% of the day's net sales are donated to local non-profit organizations. Customers help support our selected organizations just by shopping on these 5% Days. Since we offer this program only four times per year, we require the applications to be turned in as early as possible.
Our next 5% Community Support Day will involve all SF stores in December, 2012 and will benefit the San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance
Whole Foods Market Haight 5 Application.pdf
Scrip Program for Local Schools:
Scrip may be purchased in any increments; your organization will receive a 4% discount on the purchase. Our scrip is available on gift cards in the following denominations ($10, $25, $50, $100). It is not necessary to spend the entire amount on the card in one purchase – your balance will remain on the card for future use. Our scrip is redeemable at all Whole Foods Markets across the nation.
NC Scrip Application .pdf
For all donations, marketing and community outreach events and programs inquiries, please contact:
Jen Dobrowolski
Marketing Team Leader
Whole Foods Market Haight
Jennifer.dobrowolski@wholefoods.com
