Community Giving
At Whole Foods Market, we are active participants in our community. We are extremely proud of our community involvement and the relationships that we continue to make daily! Giving back to our community comes naturally. We strive to support local organizations which focus on health and human services, education, environmental preservation, hunger relief, the arts and animal compassion.
Donations and Sponsorships:
Throughout the year, Whole Foods Market Rockville contributes to a number of community events, fundraisers, and non-profit organizations whose goals most closely reflect our Mission and Core Values. To be eligible to receive a donation, your non-profit organization must be based in the Rockville, Olney, Garrett Park or Kensington, and our Donation Request Form must be completed in its’ entirety with the required documentation submitted at least 30 days in advance of the event date. Due to the large number of donation requests we receive, we may not be able to respond to the status of your donation until at least one month before your event.
5% COMMUNITY GIVING DAYS:
On designated days throughout the year a total of 5% of our day’s net sales is donated to a local non-profit organization. Customers help support our selected organizations just by shopping on our Community Giving Day. Recipients of 5% Day are chosen four times per year. The application deadline is rolling and applications are kept on active file.
Nickels for Non-Profits
Nickels for Non-Profits Application
If you have shopped with us before, you should know that $.05 is taken off your bill for every bag you bring in and reuse. You have the option to donate that nickel to one of two charities on your way out of the store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Whole Foods Market location should receive my completed donation request or 5% Day application?
The address of the non-profit generally determines the store reviewing the request. Organizations which are regional should address their donation request application to the store nearest to the location of the event, fundraiser or program. For example:
- Our Silver Spring, Maryland store supports: Silver Spring, Takoma Park and Wheaton
- Our Bethesda, Maryland store supports: Bethesda, Chevy Chase and Potomac
- Our Rockville, Maryland store supports: Rockville, Kensington, Garrett Park and Olney
- Our Kentlands, Maryland store supports: Gaithersburg, Germantown, Washington Grove and Laytonsville
Which organizations are eligible to receive donations?
Whole Foods Markets of Montgomery County accepts donation request applications from local non-profit organizations with 501(c)3 status. The event, fundraiser or program must serve the local community. Whole Foods Market cannot make donations to political or religious organizations unless the donation will be used for a local, non-secular, community service-related event or program. Whole Foods Markets of Montgomery County does not donate food to individuals, individuals seeking pledges, multiple requests from the same organization or causes outside the Montgomery County region. Past support does not guarantee future support.
What is acceptable documentation of my organization’s non-profit status and why is this necessary?
In order to accept and review your donation request application, it must be accompanied by a copy of the federally issued statement of your organization’s 501(c)3 status and your 9-digit Federal Identification Number. This letter is obtained from the Federal Treasury and is different from a tax-exempt form. For accounting purposes, documentation, including non-profit status, of every donation request application processed must be kept on record for 7 years.
How will I know if my donation request application has been approved?
Correctly completed donation application requests are reviewed in a timely manner. If your application is approved for a donation, you will generally receive notice at least 2–3 weeks prior to your event, fundraiser or program date. Due to the number of applications received, phone calls in reference to donations under review will not be returned.
Good Stuff From Around Here
We have supported local growers and producers since 1980. Buying local means supporting local communities, jobs, independent farmers and producers; it also reduces the distance from farm to plate, and lets you stay connected to the seasons. We highlight LOCAL in our store throughout the seasons, and the summer will bring a delicious increase in the number of local options in every department; from local produce and flowers to coffee, honey, cheese, pies, and more! We hope you will stop by and help us support our local growers.
