Sprouts Farmers Market today announced that the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation will award $1.6 million to nonprofit organizations that support health- and wellness-related causes this fall. The Foundation, which launched in 2015 and distributed $1.3 million to nonprofit organizations in its first year, focuses its giving in promoting health education and nutrition, food security and hunger relief, and helping people living with disabilities and health concerns. Giving back to the community has been part of the Sprouts culture since its inception. Through the Foundation, the company intends to increase its charitable giving and community engagement by creating partnerships with dozens of local nonprofits through its Neighborhood Grants program, fulfilling larger-scale Impact Grants and encouraging team member volunteerism.

“As Sprouts continues to grow from coast to coast, we remain committed to providing affordable access to healthy food. The Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation enables us to take our commitment to healthy living one step further by providing financial assistance to health and wellness organizations that support the needs of the local community,” said Sprouts chief executive officer, Amin Maredia. 

Top nonprofit partners include:

• REAL School Gardens – Support of new garden installations, the creation of a school-based health nutrition curriculum and the launch of a new REAL School Gardens region.

• Vitamin Angels — Helps at-risk populations in need—specifically pregnant women, new mothers and children under five—gain access to lifesaving and life-changing vitamins and minerals. Through the course of our four year partnership, we have helped more than 3 million children.

• Autism Speaks – Resources for children and adults affected by autism.

Additionally, the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation will award more than $400,000 in Neighborhood Grants to 54 local organizations in the 13 states in which Sprouts operates.

Full list of 2016 Neighborhood Grants recipients in Arizona:

• Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix

• Council for Jews with Special Needs

• Educational Enrichment Foundation

• First Place AZ

• Girl Scouts – Arizona Cactus Pine Council

• Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona

“Our Neighborhood Grants program is designed to support local nonprofit organizations that directly impact the communities where we operate,” said Lyndsey Waugh, executive director of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. “Through this grant program, we’re able to directly connect with local nonprofits that contribute to health and wellness, providing funding, visibility and awareness for their important work. The grants are funded through our in-store ‘community round-up’ campaign, plus dollars from the Foundation. It’s a great opportunity to partner with our team members and customers to support others on their healthy living journey.”