McDonald'sGrant

Up to $200,000 Chicago Community Grants

This one has closed

Archived

Opportunity type

Grant

Funding

Fully Funded

Location

United States

Deadline

Archived

About this opportunity

McDonald's runs this from its Chicago headquarters, in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust, and is putting $4 million behind the 2027 cycle. It funds Chicago organisations running workforce readiness or food access programmes for young people aged 16 to 24. Up to 25 organisations will be funded, at between $50,000 and $200,000 each.

What you get:

Project-based funding between $50,000 and $200,000, with the final amount set by the strength of the application
A share of a $4 million commitment for the 2027 cycle, with up to 25 grants awarded
Backing from a programme that has invested over $12 million in Chicago organisations since 2022

What you'll do:

Deliver a project in one of two priority areas: workforce readiness and development, or food access and food insecurity
Workforce projects can cover apprenticeships, pre- and post-employment training and career exposure, plus supports such as transport, financial literacy, mentorship and coaching
Food projects can cover food banks and pantries, community gardens and urban farms, mobile markets in food deserts, and community-led work on systemic barriers to food

Key dates:

Applications opened September 1, 2026
Informational webinar September 10, 2026
Applications close September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT

More information:

Questions go to community@mcd.com. McDonald's states it is not taking preliminary or informational calls with prospective applicants
Registration for the informational webinar is linked from the programme page

Who can apply

Chicago-based organisations serving young people
Programmes must serve youth ages 16 to 24 and align with one of the two focus areas
A track record of delivering measurable outcomes and positive impact in the communities served
The organisational and financial capacity to implement and manage the proposed programme
Strong community relationships and a reputation for responsible stewardship, integrity and service
Applications are scored on financial health, programme alignment, impact, and organisational reputational risk
Funding is project-specific and is not guaranteed; this is a competitive process
Chicago-based organisations that run workforce readiness or food access programmes for young people aged 16 to 24. The applicant is an organisation, not an individual, so a young person cannot apply on their own behalf. The programme funds work in Chicago only.

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Good to know

+Grants of $50,000 to $200,000, with up to 25 organisations funded from a $4 million commitment.
+Free to apply.
+The programme has run since 2022 with The Chicago Community Trust and has put over $12 million into Chicago organisations.
+There is an informational webinar on 10 September if you want to understand it before applying.

Worth checking yourself

!Chicago only. There is no route in for organisations elsewhere.
!This is for organisations to apply for, not individuals. The ages 16 to 24 describe the young people your programme must serve, not who applies.
!Your project has to fit one of two areas: workforce readiness, or food access and food insecurity.
!It is competitive and funding is not guaranteed, even for eligible applications.
!They will not take preliminary calls, so the webinar is your only chance to ask questions.

LOT finds and checks opportunities from public sources. Always confirm details on the organiser’s own page before applying.