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 year we are going bigger than ever and 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.

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.

Whole Foods Market is proud to have supported:

• Habitat for Humanity of Northern Virginia
• Bull Run Festival of Lights
• Fall for Fairfax
• Fair Lakes 8K
• The Rainbow Center
• Empowered Women International

Northern Virginia Stores Unite to Donate $25,134 to Food for Others

Whole Foods Market presented a $25,134 check to Food for Others from the proceeds of the sale of reusable Clementine shopping bags. All of the Northern Virginia stores participated in the campaign and Whole Foods Community Liaisons Ann Beisel of the Vienna store, Emily Breen of Fair Lakes and Francine Cabral of the Springfield store presented the big check to Food for Others Board Chair Anne Zimmer. Vice Chair Don Wallace and Treasurer Carmine Carillo were also on hand for the opportunity to thank Whole Foods for their very special fundraising efforts. A truly successful program!

Local Whole Foods Markets regularly support Food for Others by donating food items every week. Food for Others is the largest distributor of free food directly to people in need in Northern Virginia. They provide the assistance vitally needed by our unemployed and low-income neighbors.

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, our store 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:

Pick up our Donation Request Form at our Customer Service desk.  Attach a copy of your organization’s federally issued letter certifying non-profit 501(c)3 status with the form. Submit the application at least 30 days prior to the date the donation is needed. Apply only to the store serving your immediate community; do NOT submit the request to multiple Whole Foods Market stores. If you have received a donation within the last 2 years from Whole Foods Market, you are NOT eligible. Bring your application with certification of non-profit 501(c)3 status to the store’s Customer Service Desk or send by email to Jessica.Baer@wholefoods.com

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Donations

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.

Which organizations are eligible to receive donations?
Whole Foods Market Fair Lakes 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 Market Fair Lakes does not donate food to individuals, individuals seeking pledges, multiple requests from the same organization or causes outside the Fair Lakes area. 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. YOU WILL BE CONTACED ONLY IF YOUR ORGANIZATION WILL BE RECEIVING A DONATION. 

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.

The non-profit group must have 501c3 status with the IRS. Store leadership regularly reviews all incoming 5% Day applications to determine the next recipient. During the 5% Day representatives from the chosen non-profit spend the day at the store sharing information about their organization and getting the word out about the 5% Day. If your non-profit organization is interested in applying to become a 5% Day recipient, please pick up your 5% Day Application Form at our Customer Service Desk in the store. All forms shall be completed and returned to the Customer Service Desk or emailed to Jessica.Baer@wholefoods.com