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Pathways to Prosperity

by Joseph Xu on July 10, 2025

Pathways to Prosperity

Building Financial Inclusion and Resiliency

Whole Planet, a pillar of Whole Foods Market Foundation, is committed to alleviating global poverty. The mission? Help microentrepreneurs and smallholder farmers grow their incomes and savings to build long-term financial resilience. Over the past 20 years, Whole Planet’s funding process has evolved to meet the needs of organizations providing vital resources to help people break the cycle of poverty.   

One powerful way to accomplish this is through the Spark Fund Initiative. By providing this one year, up to $50,000 flexible grant, Whole Planet recognizes the unique context and challenges of smaller, early-stage organizations. Whole Planet works closely with grantees to understand their operational needs, ensuring organizations have a strong financial foundation to expand their reach and amplify their impact.    


This collaborative strategy doesn’t stop there. Learn how Whole Planet supports sustainable, locally led programs that help communities adapt to changing circumstances, create lasting pathways to economic inclusion, and build financial resiliency.   


Pathways to Prosperity – An Overview


“The capital that the Whole Planet provided to these Maasai women has been the foundation of their capital. Now they have their own capital. They don’t have to labor from morning to evening or for the entire month, or the entire week, selling the product of people from Kenya, or middlemen who are just doing business. The Maasai women are now selling their own products.” 

-Maanda Ngoitiko

Executive Director, Pastoral Women’s Council & Engishon

Pathways to Prosperity – Spark Fund


“The questions that Whole Planet were asking were really tough, but they really helped us in terms of modifying our approach. But also another thing is, which is very interesting, is that Whole Planet supported what we want to do. And it was not trying to change what we want, what we are doing.” 

-Jerry Mang’ena

Executive Director and Co-Founder, Action For Ocean

Pathways to Prosperity – Village Saving Loans Association (VSLA)


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Filed Under: Communities, New Story, Non-Perishables, Quality Standards, Sustainability Tagged With: agriculture, black tea, community, core values, equitable sourcing, equity, farming, green tea, healthy food access, oolong tea, purpose driven, regenerative agriculture, Regenerative Farming, responsible sourcing, sourcing, standards, sustainability, sustainable, tea, Whole Foods Market, Whole Foods Market Sustainability

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