McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants - (Feeding Futures: Food Access and Insecurity)

McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants focus on addressing food access and insecurity for youth aged 16-24 in underserved communities. With an investment of $8.5 million since 2022, the initiative aims to empower local organizations through project-based funding. Key priorities include enhancing workforce readiness and promoting food access via food banks, community gardens, and mobile markets. This grant program emphasizes community engagement and sustainability to foster resilience and support for young people in Chicago.

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.
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.
McDonald’s Chicago Community Impact Grants Program
We’re proud to relaunch the Chicago Community Impact Grants, reaffirming our commitment to youth empowerment across the city.

• 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 priority areas: Fostering Communities: Pathways to Empowerment; and 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 Chicago Community Impact Grants, 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 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

Eligibility

Applicants must:

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

Applicants will be evaluated on: ​ Program alignment with:Feeding Futures: Food Access and InsecuritySustainability of the program, project, or organization, including financial stability and long-term viability