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 takes our responsibility to support its people seriously—because we believe that when our communities thrive, so does McDonald’s.  That’s why we embrace our commitment to support and strengthen the communities we serve.

Through charitable and in-kind contributions, community engagement and volunteer initiatives, McDonald’s strives to deliver critical resources to strengthen local programs and build resilient communities. 

Learn more about the ways the McDonald’s System drives impact in our communities. You can also explore our full progress, performance and actions in our latest Purpose & Impact Report: Our Purpose & Impact.  
 

Celebrating 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 over $12 million in support of local organizations, reaching over 100,000 people across Chicago. 

In 2027, we’re investing an additional $4 million to continue driving meaningful change.

Each year, we’ve strived to help address some of the city’s most pressing 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: McDonald’s Invests $4 Million in Chicago Nonprofits Advancing Workforce Readiness and Food Access.


The 2027 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 kick off the 2027 Chicago Community Impact Grants process, reaffirming our commitment to youth empowerment across the city. Our objectives 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 select 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 may include:

  • 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 support access to opportunity.


2. Feeding Futures: Food Access and Insecurity 

As a global food business, McDonald’s aims to play a positive role in the communities it serves, including through efforts that support access to food. Through the 2027 Chicago Community Impact Grants Program, we aim to support programs that address food insecurity and promote 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 may include:

  • 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 aimed at removing systemic barriers and increase access to food

 

Grant Criteria 

Applicants must:

  • Serve youth ages 16-24 through programs aligned with one of the initiative's focus areas

  • Demonstrate a track record of delivering measurable outcomes and positive impact in the communities they serve

  • Demonstrate the organizational and financial capacity necessary to successfully implement and manage the proposed program

  • Maintain strong community relationships and a reputation for responsible stewardship, integrity, and service


Applicants will be evaluated on:   

Financial Health
The organization’s financial stability, stewardship of resources, funding diversity, and ability to sustain and effectively implement the proposed program.

Program Alignment
The extent to which the proposed program advances McDonald's Feeding Futures: Food Access and Insecurity or Fostering Communities: Pathways to Empowerment priorities for youth ages 16-24.

Impact
The organization’s ability to demonstrate meaningful, measurable outcomes and create positive impact for participants and communities served.

Organizational Brand & Reputational Risk
The organization’s credibility, community reputation, and alignment with McDonald's values and community impact priorities. 

 

Grant Awards

Funding will support project-specific programming. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000, with final award amounts determined based on the strength of the application and alignment with the goals of the Chicago Community Impact Grants program. Funding decisions will consider the proposed program's alignment with the initiative's focus areas, anticipated community impact, financial health and organizational capacity, geographic focus, community credibility, and overall strength of the application. 

This is a competitive grantmaking process. All eligible applications will be reviewed, evaluated, and scored using the published review criteria. While all eligible applications will be considered, funding is not guaranteed, and up to 25 grants will be awarded. Applications that demonstrate strong alignment with McDonald's priorities, measurable impact, financial sustainability, service to priority Chicago communities, and organizational credibility will be most competitive for funding.
 

Key Dates & Resources

INTERESTED AND ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS CAN APPLY FOR FUNDING HERE

  • Application Opens: September 1, 2026 

  • Application Closes: September 30, 2026, 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 September 10, 2026.


REGISTER FOR THE INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR HERE  

Questions? Email the McDonald’s Community Impact Team.

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