Community Giving
At Whole Foods Market, we are active participants in our community. We are extremely proud of our community involvement in the greater Houston and Sugar Land area where we strive to make a difference, and continue to strengthen relationships with our neighbors each month!
We contribute in three ways:
- Store Donations, primarily in the form of product or catering
- Event Sponsorships
- Community Giving Day, where 5% of a day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit
It is our goal to donate in the communities we serve. Please click the store closest to your organization or event for the Store Donation Form:
Whole Foods Market Community Giving Day:
Community Giving Day is a designated day during which Whole Foods Market stores give 5% of its day’s net sales to a local nonprofit. We host four Community Giving Days per year.
To qualify as a Community Partner, the organization must be a 501c3 nonprofit that we feel matches our Core Values and with whom we want to build an ongoing, mutually beneficial relationship.
We choose our Community Partners as carefully as we choose our vendors and products for our stores. In addition to 5% of the sales, the charity receives the rare opportunity to have representatives in our stores, to distribute information and talk to our customers about your organization and its mission.
Our partner needs to have an avenue in which to promote 5% Day among its supporters; the more customers that shop at the store that day, the more money your group makes.
Will my event or organization meet the criteria for a store donation or 5% Community Giving Day?
The agency must be a 501c3 and able to submit the IRS Letter of Determination (Sales Tax and Use certificates are not a substitute).
Cities, schools, fire and police departments are 501c4 and not eligible; however, many of them have Foundations, a PTA or a “Friends Of” organizations that will allow them to qualify.
The event must be a local event and take place in the geographic area of our stores. Conventions, even though they might take place here, are not eligible.
We will support organizations directly, but cannot sponsor individuals or groups raising funds on behalf of the charity.
No donations of alcohol.
We cannot sell Whole Foods Market gift cards or product at a discount for fund raising purposes.
Limit your request to one store only.
As funds are limited, early application is encouraged with at least 8-10 weeks before the date of the event.
Each organization is restricted to a maximum of one donation per calendar year; past support of an organization or event is not a guarantee of future support.
Individual stores cannot donate cash or check donations.
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.
