McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants Program

Investing in Chicago’s Future, Together

 

For decades, McDonald’s has called Chicago home, and our dedication to this city’s vibrancy and wellbeing is the cornerstone of everything we do.

 

Our Commitment to Chicago

Headquartered in Chicago, McDonald’s believes in the power of thriving communities—because when people flourish, so does McDonalds. That’s why we embrace our responsibility to uplift and support the communities we serve. Through charitable and in-kind contributions, community engagement, and volunteer initiatives, McDonald’s delivers critical resources to strengthen local programs and build resilient communities. 

Learn more about the ways the McDonald’s system drives impact in our communities.  
 

Celebrating Three Years of Impact

Since the launch of the Chicago Community Impact Grants Program in 2022 in partnership with the Chicago Community Trust, McDonald’s has invested $8.5 million in support of local organizations, positively impacting tens of thousands of young people across Chicago. Each year, we’ve strived to address the city’s most needs through our investments, community engagement and volunteering and celebrate the resilience, creativity, and dedication of its nonprofit community. Dive deeper into our journey and discover past recipients and programs:


The 2025-26 Grant Cycle

At McDonald’s, we believe one of the most powerful ways to uplift communities is by empowering young people to realize their full potential. We’re proud to relaunch the Chicago Community Impact Grants, reaffirming our commitment to youth empowerment across the city. Our goals through this initiative are to: 

  • Enhance workforce readiness by removing barriers to opportunity and;
  • Address food insecurity through expanded access to food and education 

This initiative will provide project-based funding to Chicago-based organizations serving young people, with a focus on the following two priority areas.

1. Fostering Communities: Pathways to Empowerment  

As one of the world’s largest employers, McDonald’s recognizes that the journey to success is unique for every individual. Through these grants, McDonald’s is committed to helping communities thrive by supporting programs that take a holistic approach to reducing barriers and unlocking pathways to empowerment and opportunity for youth ages 16–24. 

These grants will fund direct services and initiatives focused on workforce readiness and development. This includes:

  • Apprenticeships that provide hands-on experience
  • Pre- and post-employment training to build essential skills
  • Career exposure opportunities that equip young people with the skills and experience needed to succeed

Applicants may include funding requests for holistic support services that directly enhance their core workforce programming. These may include:

  • Transportation and mobility assistance
  • Financial literacy education
  • Mentorship and coaching

These services help remove barriers and ensure equitable access to opportunity.

2. Feeding Futures: Food Access and Insecurity 

As a global food business, McDonald’s is committed to helping communities access the nourishment they need to thrive. Through the 2025 Chicago Community Impact Grants, we aim to support programs that address food insecurity and promote equitable food access for youth ages 16–24 in underserved communities.

 These grants will fund direct services and initiatives focused on food access and insecurity. This includes:

  • Food banks and pantries that provide consistent access to nutritious meals
  • Community gardens and urban farms that foster local food production
  • Mobile markets that serve neighborhoods in food deserts
  • Community-led solutions that remove systemic barriers and increase access to food

Grant Criteria 

Applicants must:

  • Have a proven track record of demonstrating impact in the communities they serve

 
Applicants will be evaluated on: ​ 

  • Program alignment with one of the two focus areas:
    • Feeding Futures: Food Access and Insecurity
    • Fostering Communities: Pathways to Empowerment
  • Sustainability of the program, project, or organization, including financial stability and long-term viability


We will prioritize organizations that:

  • Take a community-based approach to supporting our communities ​ 
  • Provide opportunities for corporate engagement and volunteering 
     

Grant Awards

Grant awards will vary depending on the size and scope of the organization, with final amounts determined by the strength and demonstrated need of the application. Grant awards will range between ~$50,000 and $150,000. While all applications submitted will be considered, only a limited number of grants will be awarded.

Key Dates & Resources

INTERESTED AND ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS:

  • Application Opens: September 30, 2025
  • Application Closes: October 31, 2025, at 11:59 PM CT  


To provide more details and help organizations prepare to submit applications, McDonald’s will host an Informational Webinar for the Community Impact Grants program on October 6, 2025, at 1 PM CT.

 

 

Questions? Email the McDonald’s Community Impact & Philanthropy team

 

To maintain an equitable application process, McDonald’s is not taking any preliminary or informational calls with prospective applicants. Please refer to the FAQs and the Informational Webinar for more details.