Benefiting Organizations
The Whole Planet Foundation
Description: Whole Planet Foundation, a private, nonprofit
organization established by Whole Foods Market, provides grants to
microfinance institutions in Latin America, Africa and Asia who in turn
develop and offer micro enterprise loan programs, training and other
financial services to the self-employed poor.
Mission: Whole Planet Foundation's mission is to create economic partnerships with
the poor in the developing-world communities that supply our stores with product. Through
innovative assistance for entrepreneurship — including direct microcredit loans and tangible
support for other community partnership projects — we seek to unleash the energy and
creativity of every human being we work with in order to create wealth and prosperity in
emerging economies.
Founded: The Whole Planet Foundation was established in October of 2005, issuing
its first grant in April 2006 to Grameen Trust for the operation of a microfinance program
in Costa Rica.
Who: Whole Planet Foundation was formed with the entrepreneurial
spirit of Whole Foods Market in partnership with Professor Muhammad
Yunus and Grameen Bank, co-recipients of the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.
Yunus, founder of Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank, is a pioneer of
microcredit, a tool to empower the poor. In Professor Yunus's own
words: “Microcredit ignites the tiny economic engines of the rejected
underclass of society. Once a large number of tiny engines start
working, the stage can be set for bigger things." We are also
partnering with Fundación Adelante, Pro Mujer and other microfinance
institutions implementing microcredit programs.
What: Microloans are small loans — usually $200 or less — requiring no collateral or
contract. They are offered to the poorest of the poor, with a focus on women, wanting to
finance self-employment projects that will generate income. Whole Planet Foundation is
focusing efforts on the villages and rural communities that supply our stores with products
such as tropical fruit, vegetables, tea, and coffee. Giving the poor in these communities
access to credit through microloans will enable them to escape the vicious cycle of poverty
by allowing them to use their own energy and creativity to help themselves.
Why: The Whole Planet Foundation was born out of Whole Foods
Market’s desire to give something back to those who have helped us
succeed while focusing on the persistent problem of world poverty and
hunger.
Global Green USA
Mission
Global Green USA is a national environmental organization addressing three of the greatest challenges facing humanity
* Stemming global climate change by creating green buildings and cities.
* Eliminating weapons of mass destruction that threaten lives and the environment.
* Providing clean, safe drinking water for the 2.4 billion people who lack access to clean water.
Vision
President Gorbachev founded the organization in order to create a new
approach to solving the world's most pressing environmental challenges
by reconnecting humanity to the environment.
Results
Global Green's unique approach merges innovative research, cutting-edge community based projects and targeted advocacy that:
* Educates hundreds of millions of people annually
* Leverages billions of dollars for environmental initiatives
* Implements ground-breaking environmental policy
Awards
Global Green USA hosts two award ceremonies every year recognizing
environmental vision and leadership in business, government, media and
other fields. The Millennium Awards in Los Angeles and the Designing a
Sustainable and Secure World Awards in New York shine the light on some
of today's visionary leaders.
» back to top