Whole Planet Foundation®
Around the Globe and on Your Campus
Students raising your global poverty awareness
/learn more www.wholeplanetfoundation.com
Whole Planet Foundation® Student outreach program / 2What is Whole Planet Foundation?
Whole Planet Foundation’s mission is poverty alleviation through microcredit in communities worldwide that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products.
Whole Planet is a private, nonprofit organization established by Whole Foods Market. We provide grants to microfinance institutions in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the US who in turn develop and offer microenterprise loan programs other financial services to the self-employed poor.
How We Started
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. The foundation was formed with the entrepreneurial spirit of Whole Foods Market in partnership with Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and The Grameen Bank, co-recipients of 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.
WPF on Campus
Whole Planet Foundation has selected students from different universities across two countries to be Campus Ambassadors and spread awareness about global poverty alleviation to fellow students.
Campus Ambassadors and other passionate students will be hosting events throughout the year to create awareness, raise loans for microcredit clients and showcase different cultures.
Fast Facts
100%
of donations go directly to microlending projects because Whole Foods Market covers 100% of our operating costs.
88%
of microcredit clients that Whole Planet Foundation supports are women.
$175
is the average first loan size in the developing world.
97%
is the average repayment rate of the microloans.
1,951,000
people supported by Whole Planet Foundation since 2006.
FAQs
Where is my money really going?
Whole Foods Market covers 100% of Whole Planet Foundation’s operating costs, so 100% of your contribution goes directly to microlending projects.
What is a microfinance institution (MFI)?
An MFI is an organization that provides financial services targeted to the poor. While every MFI is different, all share the common characteristic of providing financial services to a clientele poorer and more vulnerable than traditional bank clients.
What are microloans?
Microloans are small loans, usually less than $200, requiring no collateral or contract. They are offered to the poorest of the poor, with a focus on women, to finance self-employment projects that will generate income and allow them to escape poverty.
Why focus on women as borrowers?
For economies to grow and prosper, women must be included at every level. This is especially true in most developing countries where women make up the majority of the poor. Research has shown that women tend to invest the money they earn in their families, education and homes which, over time, stabilizes and strengthens the community.
Why do you portray clients the way you do?
Microcredit clients are entrepreneurs and proud of their businesses. We believe in using photos that show their dignity, strength and success.
Is microcredit only effective in developing countries?
Nope! Whole Planet Foundation also supports microlending projects in the US where the average loan size is about $3000.
What types of businesses do WPF microcredit clients have?
Typical microentrepreneur activities include retail kiosks, sewing workshops, carpentry shops and market stalls.
Why do microloans have interest?
The inclusion of interest is necessary to create a self-funding, sustainable and viable loan program that will continue to generate more capital so more people can have access to credit. Interest is charged at lowers rates than borrowers would typically receive from money lenders who charge exorbitant rates in lieu of collateral and take advantage of the borrower’s inability to obtain credit from traditional sources. Many times, this interest is misleading as it also acts as a “service fee” for business training, medical assistance, education and other beneficial services for the client.
Do the borrowers have to supply Whole Foods Market with products?
No. Whole Planet Foundation focuses efforts on the villages from which Whole Foods Market receives products in order to help the entire community. The self-employment project they choose to fund with their microloan is not expected to create a product for Whole Foods Market.
Who actually runs your microlending programs?
Our microlending programs are run by our Implementing Partners which are usually MFIs that receive grants from Whole Planet Foundation.
Is the money being repaid to Whole Planet Foundation?
No. WPF provides grants to MFIs who then manage the loan programs. All funds—principal and interest—remain in the borrower’s community to generate additional microloans and further improve that community’s economic health.
Are the borrowers able to repay their loans?
Loan recovery rates usually range between 93% to 98%. In addition to the borrowers’ self-motivation, microcredit methodology ensures success by teaching problem solving in borrower support groups.
Still have a quetsion? contact us!
www.wholeplanetfoundation.org(512) 542-3850
Whole Planet Foundation® Student outreach program / 2
Microcredit clients at work
Meet Mook
Mook is a microcredit client of Small Enterprise Development Company (SED) in Thailand. She cultivates silk worms so the silk they produce can be dyed and turned into beautiful textiles.
Meet Mariem
Mariem is a microcredit client of CAURIE in Senegal. She started with a loan of $100 USD to grow her fabric-selling business.
Meet Marica
Marica is a microcredit client of Grameen America in New York. She is currently on her fifth loan and owns a business of selling Ecuadorian jewelry, bags, jackets, hats, scarves and keychains.
Stay connected
www.wholeplanetfoundation.orgWhole Planet Foundation® Student outreach program / 2