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    5. Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation)
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    Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation)

    ActiveCommunity Improvement
    AUSTIN, TXWebsite5125420959

    About Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation)

    Whole Foods Market Foundation (formerly Whole Planet Foundation) gives almost entirely to international microfinance organizations that provide on-lending capital and operating support, suggesting a strong interest in expanding access to small business credit for low-income entrepreneurs. Its portfolio is highly global and market-based, with grants concentrated in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia/Oceania through specialized local institutions rather than broad social-service nonprofits. The foundation appears to favor a network of microfinance partners, often supporting the operating infrastructure that allows those lenders to scale in underserved communities.

    Focus Areas

    Global Microfinance and On-Lending CapitalWomen’s Economic Empowerment through Microenterprise LendingRural and Low-Income Entrepreneurship in Emerging MarketsInternational Poverty Alleviation via Community FinanceLocal Microfinance Institutions and Loan Fund Operations

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated giving to a relatively small set of repeat-type microfinance partners, with most grants in the $100k-$400k range and a strong emphasis on funding lending capital plus operating support for established local institutions.

    Notable grantees: Fundación Paraguaya, Boma Global, OAF Burundi, Norandino, FINCA Jordan

    About Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation)

    Whole Foods Market Foundation (fka Whole Planet Foundation) makes a very small number of very large grants, with the three largest recent awards all labeled as statement grants and each described only as "VARIOUS." That pattern points to enterprise-scale funding rather than a broad portfolio of discrete nonprofit gifts. The recent record is dominated by Texas recipients, and the foundation’s publicly listed programs show two clear tracks: poverty-alleviation support through invite-only partner funding, and children’s nutrition and education through school garden and bee programs. The foundation’s grantmaking includes high-dollar support for partner capacity and funding gaps, alongside smaller, fixed-award programs for K-12 schools and nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada. Its children-focused work appears in both garden grants and bee grants, including renewal support for past bee participants. The overall picture is of a funder that combines strategic, large-scale commitments with defined program offerings for schools and community organizations.

    What Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation) Funds

    One major theme is poverty alleviation through established partners. The High Impact Program provides additional funding to partners for unexpected gaps and other high-need opportunities, with an invite-only structure. A second area is school-based food education. The School Garden Grants program supports edible educational gardens for K-12 schools in the U.S. and Canada, and the Whole Kids Garden Grant supports edible gardens and learning spaces for schools and nonprofits. Pollinator education is another clear strand. The Traditional Bee Grant supports on-campus educational beehives for K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations, while the Renewal Bee Grant extends $500 support to previous recipients to help existing bee programs grow. The foundation also lists Community First Grant, an invitation-based program for nonprofits working on fresh, healthy food access and nutrition education in partnership with Whole Foods Market team members.

    How Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation) Gives

    The recent grant sizes are tightly clustered at the top end: p25 is $5,432,290, median is $5,495,252, and p75 is $5,558,214. That narrow band matches the foundation’s pattern of a very small number of large awards. The three largest recent grants appeared in 2023, 2024, and 2025, each described as a statement grant with a generic purpose label, which suggests repeated high-dollar, strategic funding rather than one-off project microgrants. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Some programs are invite-only, while others accept unsolicited applications.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $11.9M

    Total Assets

    $12M

    Total Revenue

    $18M

    Total Expenses

    $16.1M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $67K and $200K, with a median of $100K.

    25th Percentile

    $67K

    Median

    $100K

    75th Percentile

    $200K

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High

    Where Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation) Funds

    Top 10 recipient countries by grant volume for Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation).

    RankCountryGrantsTotalShare
    1United StatesDomestic6$1.2M
    15.0%
    2

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceYour privacy choicesEnvironmental footprintSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 20-2376273Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $12M3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

    Where Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation) Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is local and concentrated in Texas: 100% of recorded grants went to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grant list shows Texas-located recipients in each of the three largest awards, all tagged with TX. Beyond the state level, the recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 3 grants in the United States. The program lineup also defines U.S.-and-Canada eligibility for several school garden and bee grant offerings, though the recorded grants themselves are all domestic.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation)

    What kinds of programs does the foundation support?

    The listed programs include the High Impact Program for poverty alleviation, School Garden Grants for K-12 edible gardens, Bee Grants for educational beehives and bee programming, the Whole Kids Garden Grant for edible learning spaces, and the Community First Grant for fresh food access and nutrition education.

    Does the foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes for some programs and no for others. School Garden Grants, Bee Grants, Traditional Bee Grant, and the Whole Kids Garden Grant accept unsolicited applications. The High Impact Program, Field Officer Appreciation Awards, Renewal Bee Grant, and Community First Grant are invite-only or not open to unsolicited requests.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The recent grants are very large and tightly grouped: p25 is $5,432,290, median is $5,495,252, and p75 is $5,558,214. That suggests the foundation usually makes grants in a narrow, multimillion-dollar range in its recorded recent activity.

    Where do grants go geographically?

    The recorded grants are all in the United States, and 100% are in the foundation’s HQ state of Texas. Program eligibility is broader for some offerings, with several school garden and bee programs open to the U.S. and Canada.

    Does the foundation fund individuals or make program-related investments?

    No. The provided profile says funds individuals is false and makes program-related investments is false.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Peru
    2
    $300K
    5.0%
    3Malawi2$250K
    5.0%
    4United Kingdom2$250K
    5.0%
    5France2$250K
    5.0%
    6Nigeria2$210K
    5.0%
    7Tanzania2$200K
    5.0%
    8Ghana2$154K
    5.0%
    9Colombia2$100K
    5.0%
    10Paraguay1$400K
    2.5%

    Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Whole Foods Market Foundation (Fka Whole Planet Foundation) that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses in 18 days (Oct 30, 2026)Award: Up to $2K

    Renewal Bee Grant

    Pollinator educationEnvironmental educationEducational beehives+1 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be K–12 schools or nonprofit organizations serving at least 10 K–12 students in the United States or Canada and must have received a Whole Foods Market Foundation Bee Grant in 2025 or earlier and completed the required progress report. Applicants may receive a maximum of two Renewal Bee Grants, spaced one cycle apart. Live bees are not required.

    Deadline: 2027 applications open September 1, 2026 and close October 30, 2026.

    View & apply
    Open nowCloses in 18 days (Oct 30, 2026)Award: Up to $500

    Renewal Bee Grant (Bee Grants)

    Pollinator educationEducational beehivesBeekeeping+2 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be K-12 schools or nonprofit organizations serving at least 10 students in K-12 grades in the United States or Canada. Applicants must have previously received a Traditional Bee Grant from Whole Kids in 2024 or earlier and completed the required progress report. Live bees are not required.

    Deadline: For the 2027 grant cycle, applications open September 1, 2026 and close October 15, 2026. Applicants are notified December 16, 2026, and grant packages are delivered February 1, 2027.

    View & apply
    Open nowCloses in 18 days (Oct 30, 2026)Award: $1K – $2K

    Traditional Bee Grant (Bee Grants)

    Pollinator educationEnvironmental educationEducational beehives+1 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be K–12 schools or nonprofit organizations serving at least 10 students in any K–12 grades in the United States or Canada. This option is for new applicants only and supports starting a new or enhancing an existing educational bee program with live bees on campus.

    Deadline: 2027 applications open September 1, 2026 and close October 30, 2026.

    View & apply
    Open nowCloses in 19 days (Oct 31, 2026)Award: $500 – $2K

    Bee Grants (Traditional & Renewal)

    pollinator educationbeekeeping educationeducational beehives+2 more

    Who can apply: K-12 schools or nonprofit organizations serving at least 10 students in grades K-12 in the U.S. or Canada. Traditional Bee Grants are for new applicants only; Renewal Bee Grants are for previous Bee Grant recipients who received a Traditional Bee Grant in 2024 or before and completed the required progress report.

    Deadline: September 2026: Traditional and Renewal Bee Grant Applications Open; October 2026: Traditional Part 1 and Renewal Bee Grant Application Closes; October 2026: Traditional Bee Grant Application Closes; December 2026: Notification of All Bee Grant Applications; February 2027: Delivery of Bee Grant Packages

    View & apply
    Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies

    Salad Bars to Schools

    Administered by Chef Ann Foundation

    Healthy school mealsFresh fruits and vegetablesStudent nutrition+3 more

    Who can apply: Any school participating in the USDA National School Lunch Program may apply, including public, charter, specialty, and other eligible schools. Applications must be completed by or directly supervised by a district Food Service Director. Non-NSLP schools are not eligible for the salad bar grant.

    Deadline: No fixed deadline stated; applications are accepted through the grant portal. Approved requests may take an average of 12–18 months to fund.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Paraguay G5 - Fundación ParaguayaAsuncion$400,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Fundación Paraguaya in Paraguay.
    Burkina Faso G5+ Ethiopia G7 - Boma GlobalManchester, VT$376,7922024—
    Burundi G7 - OAF BurundiHighland Park, IL$350,0002024—
    Senegal G8 - CAURIE—$200,0002024—
    Zimbabwe G3 - MLF ZimbabweLondon$200,0002024—
    Peru G4 - NorandinoPiura$200,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Norandino in Peru.
    Bolivia G4 - Sembrar Sartawi—$200,0002024—
    Guinea G2 - Wakili-MF69120, Vaulx en Velin$200,0002024—
    Malawi G6 - GGEMNkhotakota$200,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by GGEM in Malawi.
    Jordan G2 - FINCA JordanAmman$200,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by FINCA Jordan in Jordan.
    El Salvador G3 - ASEISan Salvador$200,0002024—
    Chad - Concern ChadNew York, NY$176,6142024—
    Cameroon G3 - GrasslandBamenda$151,2032024—
    Tanzania G7 - BRAC TanzaniaDar es Salaam$150,0002024—
    CEO - CEOSan Diego, CA$150,0002024—
    Nigeria G5 - HerVestLagos$150,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by HerVest in Nigeria.
    Kenya G11 - Fresh LifeAtlanta, GA$103,4702024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Fresh Life in Kenya.
    Nicaragua G4 - PACManagua$100,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by PAC in Nicaragua.
    Panama G3 - Eskala—$100,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Eskala in Panama.
    Peru G3 - Inka Moss—$100,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Inka Moss in Peru.
    Madagascar G3 - Jiro-VeAntananarivo$100,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Jiro-Ve in Madagascar.
    Rwanda G5 - InkomokoKigali$100,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Inkomoko in Rwanda.
    Bangladesh G4 - SUPPORTDhaka$100,0002024—
    Ghana G6 - MoringaAccra$100,0002024—
    Sierra Leone G4 - FOOPFreetown$100,0002024—
    Vanuatu - SPBD VanuatuPort Vila$100,0002024—
    Mexico G3 - FondoMásChiapas$100,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by FondoMás in Mexico.
    Liberia G3 - J-PalmMonrovia$90,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by J-Palm in Liberia.
    India G8 - STEPKolkata$87,6132024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by STEP in India.
    Ecuador G2 - HiasSilver Spring, MD$69,8182024—
    Nigeria G4 - Farm on WheelsMinna$60,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Farm on Wheels in Nigeria.
    Ghana G7 - AmaatiYendi$54,1672024—
    Tanzania G8 - Engishon—$50,0002024—
    Malawi G5 - ACAFINLilongwe$50,0002024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by ACAFIN in Malawi.
    Ethiopia I21 - Buusaa GonofaaAddis Ababa$50,0002024—
    Colombia G4 - Acceso ColombiaBogotá$50,0002024—
    Cambodia G3 - ATECPhnom Penh$50,0002024—
    Colombia I19 - Acceso ColombiaBogotá$50,0002024—
    Sierra Leone G5 - STLLondon$50,0002024—
    Guinea I20 - Wakili-MFVaulx en Velin$49,6502024For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Wakili-MF in Guinea.

    Paraguay G5 - Fundación Paraguaya

    $400,000
    Asuncion2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Fundación Paraguaya in Paraguay.

    Burkina Faso G5+ Ethiopia G7 - Boma Global

    $376,792
    Manchester, VT2024

    Burundi G7 - OAF Burundi

    $350,000
    Highland Park, IL2024

    Senegal G8 - CAURIE

    $200,000
    2024

    Zimbabwe G3 - MLF Zimbabwe

    $200,000
    London2024

    Peru G4 - Norandino

    $200,000
    Piura2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Norandino in Peru.

    Bolivia G4 - Sembrar Sartawi

    $200,000
    2024

    Guinea G2 - Wakili-MF

    $200,000
    69120, Vaulx en Velin2024

    Malawi G6 - GGEM

    $200,000
    Nkhotakota2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by GGEM in Malawi.

    Jordan G2 - FINCA Jordan

    $200,000
    Amman2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by FINCA Jordan in Jordan.

    El Salvador G3 - ASEI

    $200,000
    San Salvador2024

    Chad - Concern Chad

    $176,614
    New York, NY2024

    Cameroon G3 - Grassland

    $151,203
    Bamenda2024

    Tanzania G7 - BRAC Tanzania

    $150,000
    Dar es Salaam2024

    CEO - CEO

    $150,000
    San Diego, CA2024

    Nigeria G5 - HerVest

    $150,000
    Lagos2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by HerVest in Nigeria.

    Kenya G11 - Fresh Life

    $103,470
    Atlanta, GA2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Fresh Life in Kenya.

    Nicaragua G4 - PAC

    $100,000
    Managua2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by PAC in Nicaragua.

    Panama G3 - Eskala

    $100,000
    2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Eskala in Panama.

    Peru G3 - Inka Moss

    $100,000
    2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Inka Moss in Peru.

    Madagascar G3 - Jiro-Ve

    $100,000
    Antananarivo2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Jiro-Ve in Madagascar.

    Rwanda G5 - Inkomoko

    $100,000
    Kigali2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Inkomoko in Rwanda.

    Bangladesh G4 - SUPPORT

    $100,000
    Dhaka2024

    Ghana G6 - Moringa

    $100,000
    Accra2024

    Sierra Leone G4 - FOOP

    $100,000
    Freetown2024

    Vanuatu - SPBD Vanuatu

    $100,000
    Port Vila2024

    Mexico G3 - FondoMás

    $100,000
    Chiapas2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by FondoMás in Mexico.

    Liberia G3 - J-Palm

    $90,000
    Monrovia2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by J-Palm in Liberia.

    India G8 - STEP

    $87,613
    Kolkata2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by STEP in India.

    Ecuador G2 - Hias

    $69,818
    Silver Spring, MD2024

    Nigeria G4 - Farm on Wheels

    $60,000
    Minna2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Farm on Wheels in Nigeria.

    Ghana G7 - Amaati

    $54,167
    Yendi2024

    Tanzania G8 - Engishon

    $50,000
    2024

    Malawi G5 - ACAFIN

    $50,000
    Lilongwe2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by ACAFIN in Malawi.

    Ethiopia I21 - Buusaa Gonofaa

    $50,000
    Addis Ababa2024

    Colombia G4 - Acceso Colombia

    $50,000
    Bogotá2024

    Cambodia G3 - ATEC

    $50,000
    Phnom Penh2024

    Colombia I19 - Acceso Colombia

    $50,000
    Bogotá2024

    Sierra Leone G5 - STL

    $50,000
    London2024

    Guinea I20 - Wakili-MF

    $49,650
    Vaulx en Velin2024

    For onlending capital and operating expenses of the microfinance institution operated by Wakili-MF in Guinea.