Thanks to the incredible generosity of Whole Foods Market shoppers, Team Members
and Whole Planet Foundation supporters like you, we not only reached our goal, but surpassed our stretch goal for this year’s Annual Prosperity Campaign raising over $6,260,000.
The amazing support we saw this year will help us fund more than 37,000 new loans and reach over 226,000 people all around the world.
Where the Money Goes
In the 55 countries we are currently working, we partner with the Grameen Bank, or Grameen Bank replicators. Our team of development officers live and travel around the world. They are responsible for all due diligence and handle ongoing monitoring and evaluation.
Money donated during this year’s campaign will help fund additional projects and provide capital to expand existing projects in order to reach more microcredit clients.
Currently on our radar is the expansion of US-based projects and the addition to several “deep dive”projects, where we offer grants of up to $1,000,000 to serve microentrepreneurs in previously unreached regions. Learn more about our implementing partners.
Who the Money Supports
Funds raised during our annual Prosperity Campaign support microentrepreneurs like Marieme from Senegal.
Marieme is currently managing her fourth loan from CAURIE which she has used to invest in her fabric-selling business. She is managing a loan of 250,000 CFA ($500 USD), which is a big increase from her first loan of 50,000 CFA ($100 USD). Marieme is also the secretary of her village bank, guiding and helping other women that are participating in CAURIE’s microfinance programs.
Marieme uses her income to support her four children that she is raising in her father’s home. She dreams of being able to purchase her own house for her and her children.
Campaign Champions
Each year we like to highlight just some of the Whole Foods Market Team Members and Regions who did exceptional work.
This year we would like to highlight Nathaniel Prosser from Whole Foods Market Scottsdale. Nathaniel set an ambitious goal this year of raising $4,000 and wanted to find a creative way to inspire people, especially his regular customers, to donate in a big way.
He created the “Buzz the Beard” challenge. When asked why he wanted to do this, he said he likes being able to help give others opportunities. He is a very passionate champion of Whole Planet Foundation! See what others like Nathaniel are up to.
The Northern California Region also rocked it this year and brought the Whole Planet Prosperity Campaign outside of the walls of Whole Foods Market and into the community.
The Los Gatos store put on a community run called Hustle for Whole Planet Foundation. With three races, a 5k, 10k and a 1k for kids, there was fun for the whole family!
Between the registration and sponsorship fees, $4635 was raised for Whole Planet Foundation. This is enough to create 27 new microloans and help give 167 people the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.
Thanks again everyone for the incredible support. The Whole Planet Foundation Team is truly grateful!