Community Giving

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. This summer we will highlight LOCAL in every department; from local flowers to coffee, honey, cheese, pies, and more! We hope you will stop by and help us support our local growers.

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 each month! We strive to make a difference.

Our Community 5% Days are another 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.

If you are interested in applying to become a 5% Day recipient, please pick up a 5% Day Application Form at the store.

Donations

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. However, each Whole Foods Market location has budgetary constraints and can only approve a limited number of the many donation request applications received. Please help us serve you and our community better by submitting your applications according to the following required guidelines:

1. Complete the Whole Foods Market Donation Request Application.
2. Attach a copy of your organization’s federally issued letter certifying non-profit 501(c)3 status.
3. Submit the application at least 30 days prior to the date the donation is needed.
4. Return only one copy of the application to the store serving your community.
5. Submit your application by mail, fax, email or deliver to your nearest store’s Customer Service Desk.

Please remember, applications which do not meet all five above requirements will automatically be declined.
Donation Application

Donation request forms and 5% Day applications are available at Customer Service or download below. All donation requests must be sent to us at least one month prior to your event. 5% Day applications are kept on file for one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Whole Foods Market location should receive my completed donation request 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.

Store Tours

Is your school or organization looking for a fun, educational event? We are offering tours of our exciting market. Learn nutritional information, where our food comes from, and the story behind our all-natural philosophy. You'll also taste great samples and try new foods that may be a little different from what other stores have to offer. Just visit our Customer Service desk to pick up a tour request form. (Group size limited to 20 people; tours are weekday mornings from 9–10 or 10–11. Three tours are given per month.)