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 each month! We strive to make a difference.

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.

Donations

Whole Foods Market receives many donation requests. We'd like to say yes to everyone, but that's not always possible, as we have a limited budget. Here are the criteria we use to make decisions about donations:

• We make donations to Non-profit organizations only. In most cases, we prefer to support event or organizations that contribute to one or more of the following: Education, Environment, Food, Children, Sustainable Agriculture, Organics, or the Sebastopol Community.
• We donate products rather than cash; and we try to donate private label items from the Whole Foods Market Family of Brands. In some cases we will donate gifts cards.
• All applications must be received in writing at least 3 weeks before the event to allow for ordering and logistical planning. Requests by phone will not be accepted. Please use our Donation Request Form which can be picked up at our Customer Service desk. Or, type a letter containing all the information asked here. You may attach brochures and information pieces regarding the benefiting agency and the event.
• Opportunities for partnership between the store and an organization are very appealing. For example, the applicant might agree to teach a class for Whole Foods Market employees and/or customers and/or trade services.
• Also, most appealing are opportunities whereby Whole Foods Market leverages the event/donation/partnership to gain positive exposure from the press.
• Rarely do we give a very large contribution to one organization, simply because there are so many who apply and we want to spread the wealth. However, once every quarter we host Community Support Days during which 5% of our net profits from one day's operation are donated to a non-profit organization chosen by our team members. A separate letter of request must be completed for Community Support Day recipient consideration. As well, we have an Envirocents program, including Change For A Change. The organization chosen for the quarter receives the change from the change boxes located at our registers in addition to the $.05/ bag donated when a new bag is forgone. Remind your members and others to BYOB – Bring Your Own BAG(s)!

Forms

• Donation Request Application (pdf)
• Community Support Day Application (pdf)
• Enviro¢ents Application (pdf)