Company also launches new Leadership Cohort to support emerging nonprofit leaders

CHICAGO – Feb. 05, 2026 — McDonald’s is deepening its hometown commitment by increasing its investment in local organizations working to expand opportunity for Chicago’s communities. Today, the company selected  the 2026 nonprofit recipients of its Chicago Community Impact Grants program,  in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust – our region’s community foundation, which was founded over one hundred years ago to provide assistance and relief to people in need.

Since the program launched in 2022, McDonald’s has invested $8.5 million to help create pathways to economic mobility across the city, reaching tens of thousands of Chicago residents. This year’s $4 million investment represents McDonald’s largest single-year commitment to date in support of local organizations that strengthen workforce readiness and improve access to food for youth ages 16–24.

“When our communities thrive, McDonald’s thrives,” said Jon Banner, Executive Vice President and Chief Impact Officer, McDonald’s Corporation. “We’re proud to deepen our commitment to giving back in our hometown through this year’s grantees, who are doing critical work to expand access to jobs, skills and food here in Chicago. It’s an honor to advance their missions and partner with The Chicago Community Trust to invest resources where they can make the greatest difference.”    

Going Beyond Grant Funding: Introducing the 2026 Leadership Cohort

New this year, McDonald’s is expanding its support by launching a Leadership Cohort for the 2026 grantee class. Each grant recipient organization will also nominate one emerging leader to participate in professional development and peer‑learning sessions over the coming year.

Through workshops, networking opportunities, and access to McDonald’s leaders and resources, participants will have an opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and build deeper connections across Chicago’s nonprofit community.

Meet the 2026 Grant Recipients

These 25 organizations are working every day to unlock opportunities and meet essential needs for young people across Chicago:

1. A Safe Haven Foundation
2. Association House of Chicago
3. Bethel New Life
4. Center on Halsted
5. Chicago CRED
6. Chicago State Foundation
7. Chicago Urban League 
8. City Colleges of Chicago Foundation
9. Cristo Rey
10. Enlace Chicago
11. Gary Comer Youth Center
12. Girls Inc. of Chicago
13. Instituto del Progreso Latino
14. Just Roots
15. La Casa Norte
16. Metropolitan Family Services
17. National Museum of Mexican Art
18. New Life Centers of Chicagoland
19. PODER
20. Puerto Rican Arts Alliance
21. Skills for Chicagoland’s Future
22. Telpochcalli Community Education Project
23. Urban Growers Collective
24. UCAN
25. Urban Roots Alliance

McDonald’s extends sincere appreciation to all applicants for their dedication to serving Chicago’s communities. Updates on future application cycles and program news will be shared on the Chicago Community Impact Grants landing page, McDonald’s Newsroom, and LinkedIn channel. 

This program is one of the many ways McDonald’s gives back to Chicagoland – from the company’s support of local charitable organizations, our generous Owner-Operator community efforts and local investments in Ronald McDonald House Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana. This also extends to the thousands of individual employees and suppliers serving their communities through year-long donations and service, including McDonald’s annual company-wide Volunteer Month.

The company also remains committed to driving economic growth locally. McDonald’s latest Economic Impact report, published this week, revealed that the company, its franchisees and suppliers support more than 30,000 jobs here in Chicago. A job at a McDonald’s restaurant also means access to Archways to Opportunity – an education benefits program that helps crew members earn a high school diploma, pursue a college degree, learn English language skills and more. In 2024, 440 local Chicago crew members received nearly $1,000,000 in tuition assistance to pursue their dreams.

About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. Ninety-five percent of McDonald’s approximately 13,500 U.S. restaurants are owned and operated by independent business owners. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, and follow us on social: X, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.