Community First Grant Program – archive
The Community First Grant program supports nonprofits focused on long-term fresh, healthy food access and nutrition education that are engaged with Whole Foods Market Team Members (employees) in the U.S. and Canada. This includes community gardens, mobile markets, healthy cooking classes and more.
Since launching the grant program in 2016, Team Members have helped us award 342 grants in 128 cities, investing over $2,203,000. Nearly 200 Team Members from 100 Whole Foods Market stores, 11 regional offices and our Global Support office have participated!
Each year in early May, Team Members nominate organizations that they are currently engaged with (or would like to start) and eligible organizations are then asked to submit a grant application letting us know about their work, how they would put the grant funds to use, etc. If you’re a nonprofit, learn more about how to apply for a grant here.
Meet the amazing Team Members and Community Partners over the years:
2022-2023 Community First Grant Team Members and Community Partners
For 2022, we are thrilled to announce that we are awarding 57 Team Member-nominated, community-led organizations an average of $8,000 each to advance fresh food access through our annual Community First Grant. This $455,000 commitment is being invested in 39 cities in the U.S. states and Canada!
2021-2022 Community First Grant Team Members and Community Partners
In 2021, we are awarding 59 Team Member-nominated, community-led organizations an average of $8,000 each to advance fresh food access through our annual Community First Grant. This $470,000 commitment is being invested in 43 cities spanning 21 states and Canada!
2020-2021 Community First Grant Community Partners
In 2020, Whole Cities Foundation awarded 40 nonprofit organizations in the U.S. an $8,000 grant for a total investment of $320,000 to help expand access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education.
2019-2020 Community First Grant Team Members and Community Partners
In 2019, 66 nonprofits each received $5,000 Community First Grants. These grants, made possible thanks to Whole Foods Market Team Member nominations and an application process, are awarded to nonprofits that increase access to fresh, healthy food and nutrition education in their local communities.
2018-2019 Community First Grant Team Members & Community Partners
In November of 2018, we awarded $255,000 to 51 organizations increasing access to fresh, healthy food in 40 cities in 21 states!
2017-2018 Community First Grant Team Members & Community Partners
In 2017, Whole Cities Foundation awarded 44 grants investing $220,000 in nonprofits in the U.S.
2016-2017 Community First Grant Team Members & Community Partners
In 2016, Whole Cities Foundation awarded 32 grants investing $160,000 in nonprofits in the U.S.
Listen to Community First Grant Audio Stories
