Community Giving
We are honored to be part of the Cleveland Community and wish to share our enthusiasm about our products with you each and every day. Our doors are open to everyone, and we invite you to please come in and experience the sights, smells, tastes, and people of Whole Foods Market. Join us for food, fun, and friendship.
Inquiries for donations should be directed to Lisa Sands, Marketing Team Leader, lisa.sands@wholefoods.com. Due to the volume of requests, we require a request at least six weeks in advance, and we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. We will be in touch if we are able to assist you. Donations are selected based on need, proximity to the store, and whether the request is a reflection of our core values. We give to organizations big and small and we try to spread the wealth, so to speak, by donating to different organizations annually.
During the holidays (Nov. 1-Jan. 2) we focus our efforts on a few select partners and we do not entertain any donation request over $50.00. This year, we will be working closely with the Cleveland FoodBank.
HOW TO APPLY:
It’s easy! Our store strives to support charitable causes and community organizations to the maximum extent of our resources, on a regular basis throughout the year. Particular consideration is given to organizations within Northeast Ohio whose missions relate directly to Whole Foods Market core values. Standard examples of community giving include (but are not limited to) in-kind food and product donations (year-round), auction baskets (year-round) Nickels For Non-Profits (ongoing – two recipients per quarter) as well as Community 5% Days (see below).
Eligible 501(c)3 non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for Standard Donation Requests via the downloadable application form below. All donation request applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and in the order received. To ensure your request will receive prompt consideration, please thoroughly complete the application, include a copy of your 501(c)3 determination letter, a detailed summary of what type of support you are seeking, and submit your request a minimum of 6-8 weeks prior to your date of need. Incomplete and/or last-minute requests may not be considered, and organizations are kindly asked not to submit more than two requests per calendar year. Completed applications and may be submitted via fax, postal mail, or in person at the store:
Standard Donation Request Application (PDF)
Our quarterly Community 5% Days are another meaningful way we give back to the community. On four designated days throughout the year, a total of 5% of the day’s net sales is donated to selected local non-profit organizations. Customers help support our selected organizations simply by shopping on these 5% Days. Eligible 501(c)3 non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply for 5% Day consideration via the downloadable application form below. All 5% Day applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and remain on file for two years. Selections are made many months in advance, and only those organizations that are selected will be contacted. Organizations who have previously applied for 5% Day consideration need may reapply, and are encouraged to do so. Completed applications may be submitted via fax, postal mail, or in person at the store:
Our recent 5% day in March supported the Whole Planet Foundation and raised more than $5,000!
Meet some of our previous recipients:
Whole Planet Foundation
Whole Foods Market is proud to support this non-profit in many ways which funds microloans to people in third world countries.
University Settlement
University Settlement serves the Slavic Village community and provides needed services including a food pantry, childcare programs, senior adult day programs and a computer lab.
Cleveland Zoological Society
The fund-raising arm of the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo works to fund projects that enhance the zoo experience for patrons and animals alike.
Veggie U
The mission of Veggie U is to promote the well-being of children through a healthy lifestyle. Veggie U is dedicated to the creation and distribution of curricula nationally, with a focus on making wise food choices, combating adolescent and juvenile disease, and attaining an understanding of sustainable agriculture.
Local Food Cleveland
Local Food Cleveland is a program of E4S that aims to grow a sustainable local food economy in Northeast Ohio. Through monthly networking events that draw over 200 participants and the LocalFoodCleveland.org website, this network helps individuals and organizations find their place in the local food economy and take their next step.
HeightsArts
Founded in 2000, Heights Arts enriches the quality of life in the Heights communities by cultivating a strong, diverse, and collaborative arts community. Heights Arts goals are inspiring all Heights citizens to participate in the arts, support the arts in K-12 education, expand exhibition and performance opportunities, and foster public appreciation for the arts.
Families With Food Allergies
Dedicated to creating an awareness of food allergies and the prevention of food allergy reactions, FWFA provides free support groups and resources to serve area families affected by the eight major food allergens.
Earth Day Coalition
Northeast Ohio’s environmental education and leadership organization marked its 20th Anniversary of activism in 2009 with the annual EarthFest celebration.
The Cleveland International Film Festival
Benefiting the “Standing Up” film program, a special section of the 33rd Cleveland International Film Festival, dedicated to films with important messages, celebrating social justice and activism.
Heights Youth Theatre
This neighborhood nonprofit received an outpouring of support on behalf of its talented students and the organization’s mission to engage children and youth ages 6-18 in a comprehensive theater experience, developing musical, technical and acting skills in a safe, nurturing environment, and staging a regular season of shows in University Heights.
MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Cleveland
Supports MOCA’s cutting edge programs, elevate cultural discourse through emerging art; educate; and develop new audiences.
Race for the Cure
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.
Friends of Cain Park
Friends of Cain Park, a non-profit, volunteer organization whose mission is to preserve and promote Cain Park as a historical, theatrical, artistic and educational resource for Northeast Ohio.
The Wendy Park Foundation
Proceeds were donated to The Wendy Park foundation to assist in their efforts to acquire solar lighting and a natural irrigation system for the renovation of the Historic U.S. Coast Guard Station.
Reaching Heights
Reaching Height’s Many Villages program supports a strong volunteer tutoring program that helps the students and teachers of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School district reach their academic goals!!!
Other Recent Donation Recipients
Organizations served recently by Whole Foods Market Community Giving include: Boulevard Elementary School, Roxboro Elementary School, Canterbury Elementary School, Park Synagogue, Open Doors Academy, The Cleveland APL, Maltz Museum, EcoWatch Ohio, Groundworks Dance Theatre, Cleveland Film Commission, Cleveland International Film Festival, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland Women’s Orchestra, John Owen’s Adventure, Meals on Wheels, Hands On Northeast Ohio, WomenSafe, Fuchs Mizrachi School, William Patrick Day Head Start, City Year, AIDS Taskforce of Greater Cleveland, Apollo’s Fire, Earth Day Coalition, MOCA, Carmelite Guild, Tri-City Consortium on Aging, Brusch High School, Kol HaLev, YMCA Y-Haven, Toastmasters, SPACES, The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, FarmSanctuary, United Way, Rising Star Learning Center, Lake Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity of Portage County, Seeds of Literacy, ESOP, Coit Road Farmers Market, University Heights Fire Department, Walk+Roll Cleveland, and Heights Libraries.
