Whole Planet Foundation (A Whole Foods Market Foundation) provides grants to microfinance institutions in third world developing communities to create and support microlending programs. Microloans are small loans- usually $200 or less- requiring no collateral or legal contract. They are offered to the poorest of the poor, with a focus on women. The loans are used to start small home-based businesses, such as weaving, tortilla-making, small stores, animal husbandry and other "micro" businesses.

Almost 15,000 entrepreneurs have created small businesses in the developing world, with access to these loans through the support of the Whole Planet Foundation! We are partnered with 2006 Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and his organization Grameen Trust in Costa Rica, India, Indonesia and Guatemala, as well as Fundación Adelante in Honduras and Pro Mujer in Nicaragua. We believe microlending provides impoverished people a path to stronger financial security through their own entreprenuerial ingenuity!

You can help us plant seeds of economic prosperity by donating at our website, (www.wholeplanetfoundation.org). Whole Foods Market covers 100% of our operating budget, so 100% of your contribution is directed to field programs.

Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, visited Whole Planet Foundation's projects with Whole Foods Market board members.

The group visited several businesses; a weaving business, a small family operated fish farm, a seamstress who sews uniforms for local soccer teams and an entrepreneur who makes traditional hand carved masks, witnessing firsthand the power of microcredit.
Professor Yunus gave the commencement speech at EARTH University. Our group included Tom Bevan and Milla Sunde of The Green Children, (www.thegreenchildren.org) socially-minded musicians in a pop musical group, whose video can be found at at www.wholeplanetfoundation.org.

An unprecedented coalition of natural foods companies pledged $1.05 million dollars to support microlending programs, to plant seeds of prosperity around the world through entrepreneurship! Whole Planet Foundation Supplier Alliance for Microcredit includes - Allegro Coffee Company, Back to Nature, Balance Bar, The Hain Celestial Group, Ito En, Naked Juice, New Chapter, Seventh Generation, Stacy’s and Whole Foods Market. The Alliance supports entrepreneurs in Costa Rica and Indonesia. We hope you’ll join us in appreciating these companies commitment to changing the world, one individual at a time! read full article

Marta Martinez makes fine pottery in a rural area outside of León, Nicaragua. The art of making pottery has been passed down through the women in her family for five generations. Marta is a client of Pro Mujer, an organization supported by Whole Planet Foundation that gives loans to poor women. Her loans have enabled her to buy greater quantities of clay and increase her production. With the development of her business, she has also been able to hire an employee. Marta’s business is the economic foundation for her family, enabling her three children to go to school. Whole Planet Foundation has supported 1,744 brave microentrepreneurs in partnership with Pro Mujer Nicaragua. read full article

Donate in the Store: $2 can make a difference!

In March, donate each time you shop at Whole Foods Market U.S. stores you can help raise $1 million for entrepreneurs in the global community!

Thanks to shopper generosity last year, over $675,000 was raised, giving 22,500 people the chance to move themselves out of poverty. This year, we hope to raise funds to expand microlending programs to Kenya and other countries in Latin America.

How can you help? As you check out, select a donation slip at the register, hand it to the cashier, and the amount will be added to your grocery bill. $2 can make a difference as the average loan size to start a small business is $150. Your donation of $2, $5, or $10 can help purchase raw materials for the businesses such as yarn, cotton, seeds, chickens, and pigs, among others. Join us in empowering entrepreneurs in the global community and help reach the $1 million goal.

For weekly campaign updates during March, visit wholeplanetfoundation.org and thank you for your support.

You can also contribute to our mission online at (www.wholeplanetfoundation.org) 100% of the funds are directed to microlending programs. read full article

Our Current Projects and Possible New Projects

Current Projects
Latin America: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras
Central Asia: India
South East Asia: Indonesia

Possible New Projects
Africa: Kenya, Tanzania
Latin America and the Caribbean: Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Paraguay and Jamaica read full article

24 Hours to Empower Bike Ride

On March 27 - 28th, 24 cyclists will ride for 24 hours to raise funds for Whole Planet Foundation microlending projects in the developing world. The riders, representing the Austin Community College Students for Environmental Outreach group and their friends, hope to raise community awareness and $4800 dollars to support Whole Planet Foundation microlending projects, which will help 32 individuals to create small scale businesses.

You are invited to join us at the front entrance of Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas on 6th and Lamar by the little brook (Shoal Creek dining area) at 7:00 pm on March 27 to cheer the riders on their way and again at 7:00 pm on March 28 when they finish their 24 hour Ride to Empower! You can also donate to any rider at
(wholeplanetfoundation.org) read full article