Does Whole Foods donate gift cards?

Whole Foods' In-Kind Donation program does not provide gift cards, alcohol or money.

Does Whole Foods donate food or products for events?

Yes, through its In-Kind Donation program, which store leadership runs throughout the year. Contact your local Whole Foods Market store directly. Only verified 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible.

When is the next Store Giving deadline?

Whole Foods has not posted it yet. The last deadline on its Store Giving page was October 11, 2026, for the 2026 Quarter 4 vote (team members vote October 27 to November 8, 2026), and as of October 13, 2026 the page gives no later date. Store Giving funds are awarded twice a year; in 2026 the deadlines were April 12 and October 11.

Can we name Whole Foods as a sponsor or use its logo?

Not without permission. Whole Foods' guidelines say a recipient may not publicize the donation or use the Whole Foods Market name or logo without Whole Foods' prior written approval.

K-12 schools in the US or Canada can apply to the Whole Foods Market Foundation Garden Grant, a $3,500 grant for an edible school garden. Applications open once a year in late winter; the 2026 window closed March 15, 2026.

Whole Foods donation request

Whole Foods Market gives 501(c)(3) nonprofits near its stores two kinds of support: money through Store Giving, where team members vote twice a year on requests made in the online Community Engagement Portal, and in-kind product donations that each store's leadership gives throughout the year. For products for an event, contact your local Whole Foods Market store directly. For money for a program focused on food access or the environment, apply in the Community Engagement Portal before the next vote deadline. The last posted deadline, October 11, 2026 for the Quarter 4 vote, has passed, and Whole Foods has not yet posted the next one.

Checked against Whole Foods Market's own pages on October 13, 2026 by With Help From. Not affiliated with Whole Foods Market.

Status: Accepts requests
What it gives: Monetary donations for nonprofit programs focused on food access, environmental stewardship, or other closely related needs (Store Giving (Store Directed Giving))
In-kind product donations from the local Whole Foods Market store (In-Kind Donation program)
A monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden at a K-12 school (Garden Grant (Whole Foods Market Foundation))
Who decides: Local store

Apply on wholefoods.versaic.com

Store Giving (Store Directed Giving)

Monetary donations for nonprofit programs focused on food access, environmental stewardship, or other closely related needs

Who can apply: Registered US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (also registered Canadian charitable organizations and UK charitable incorporated organizations) that can demonstrate verified nonprofit status
The donation must go to nonprofit program support in communities that surround Whole Foods Market stores and align with Whole Foods Market's Core Values
Programs focused on food access, environmental stewardship, or other closely related needs
Priority goes to organizations that have not received another sponsorship or donation within the calendar year; funding from Whole Foods Market Foundation does not disqualify an organization
Not eligible: Individuals
Political candidates or organizations
For-profit businesses
Organizations that discriminate toward any racial, ethnic or cultural group
Gift card donations and in-kind donations are not given through Store Directed Giving
How to apply: Read the eligibility and funding guidelines on the Store Giving page.
Log in to or create an account on the Whole Foods Market Community Engagement Portal.
Submit the request for one store location. The system will not accept the same request for several locations.
Submit before the application deadline for the next vote. Team members then vote, and funds are awarded twice a year.
Log in to your profile at any time to check the status of the application.
Deadlines: Funds are awarded twice a year after a team member vote. 2026 Quarter 2 vote: application deadline April 12, 2026, voting April 28 to May 10, 2026. 2026 Quarter 4 vote: application deadline October 11, 2026, voting October 27 to November 8, 2026. Both 2026 deadlines have passed. As of October 13, 2026 the Store Giving page lists only the 2026 voting timeline and does not give a deadline for the next vote.
Response: Organizations that have been awarded support are notified each funding cycle. Applicants can check their application status at any time by logging in to their online profile.
Official page: wholefoods.versaic.com/login

In-Kind Donation program

In-kind product donations from the local Whole Foods Market store

Who can apply: Registered US 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (also registered Canadian charitable organizations and UK charitable incorporated organizations) that can demonstrate verified nonprofit status
The donation must go to nonprofit program support in communities that surround Whole Foods Market stores and align with Whole Foods Market's Core Values
Not eligible: Individuals
Political candidates or organizations
For-profit businesses
Organizations that discriminate toward any racial, ethnic or cultural group
Gift cards, alcohol and monetary donations are not given through the In-Kind Donation program
How to apply: Find your nearest store (wholefoodsmarket.com/stores opens the store selector).
Contact that Whole Foods Market store directly and ask for an in-kind donation. The In-Kind Donations page gives no online form; it says to reach out directly to your local store.
Be ready to show verified 501(c)(3) status.
Deadlines: Requests are taken throughout the calendar year, separately from the Store Giving vote.
Official page: wholefoodsmarket.com/company-info/newsroom/in-kind-donations

Garden Grant (Whole Foods Market Foundation)

A monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden at a K-12 school. $3,500 per grant. A school can receive a total of two Garden Grants.

Who can apply: K-12 schools in the United States (including US-controlled territories) or Canada
The garden is at a charter or public school (including tribally controlled and Bureau of Indian Education schools) or a nonprofit private school
At least 10 K-12 children take part in garden programming regularly
The garden grows edible plants
A past grantee may apply for a second grant if the earlier funds were received in 2024 or earlier and the progress report on that grant is complete
Support organizations working with several school gardens apply separately for each school site
The foundation gives priority to applicants serving a majority of under-resourced students
Not eligible: Schools that have already received two Garden Grants
How to apply: Check eligibility with the foundation's Garden Grant eligibility flowchart.
Read the application PDF posted on the Garden Grant page to prepare your answers.
Submit the final application online through SmartSimple while the application window is open. The PDF is for preparation only.
Send questions to grants@wholekidsfoundation.org.
Deadlines: Opens once a year in late winter. The 2026 window opened February 1, 2026 and closed March 15, 2026; the page says to check back in February 2027.
Response: For 2026, all applicants were to be notified by August 1, 2026, with grant packages shipped September to November 2026.
Official page: wholefoodsmarketfoundation.org/our-work/childrens-nutrition/garden-grant

Write the request

Before you open the form, write down what the donation is for, the date, how many people it reaches and how you will thank Whole Foods. If Whole Foods asks for a letter, adapt the donation request template or a youth sports sponsorship letter. After a yes, send a sponsor thank-you letter.

Questions

Does Whole Foods donate gift cards?: Whole Foods' In-Kind Donation program does not provide gift cards, alcohol or money.
Does Whole Foods donate food or products for events?: Yes, through its In-Kind Donation program, which store leadership runs throughout the year. Contact your local Whole Foods Market store directly. Only verified 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible.
When is the next Store Giving deadline?: Whole Foods has not posted it yet. The last deadline on its Store Giving page was October 11, 2026, for the 2026 Quarter 4 vote (team members vote October 27 to November 8, 2026), and as of October 13, 2026 the page gives no later date. Store Giving funds are awarded twice a year; in 2026 the deadlines were April 12 and October 11.
Can we name Whole Foods as a sponsor or use its logo?: Not without permission. Whole Foods' guidelines say a recipient may not publicize the donation or use the Whole Foods Market name or logo without Whole Foods' prior written approval.
Can a school apply?: K-12 schools in the US or Canada can apply to the Whole Foods Market Foundation Garden Grant, a $3,500 grant for an edible school garden. Applications open once a year in late winter; the 2026 window closed March 15, 2026.

Sources

Community Giving | Whole Foods Market (Whole Foods Market)
Store Giving | Whole Foods Market (Whole Foods Market)
In-Kind Donations | Whole Foods Market (Whole Foods Market)
Austin Community Giving | Whole Foods Market (Whole Foods Market)
Login - Whole Foods Proposal Management System (Community Engagement Portal) (Whole Foods Market (hosted by Benevity/Versaic))
Garden Grant | Empower Gardens Today (Whole Foods Market Foundation)
Community First Grant | Support Community Food Access Today (Whole Foods Market Foundation)

Other grocery stores companies

All 32 companies that donate

Ask local businesses too

Independent businesses near you have no national form: the owner decides. Post what you need so businesses on With Help From can find you, or read how to ask local businesses for donations.