Companies That Donate to Nonprofits and Sports Teams (2026)
Plenty of companies that donate to nonprofits will never give a dime to a youth sports team, and most lists ignore that. This one filters for programs that fit sports teams, leagues, school athletic programs, and booster clubs. Every company below has a current giving, sponsorship, or donation-request page, and each row links straight to it.
One caution up front. Most of these programs require a 501(c)(3) or an accredited school, many decide at the local store level, and none of them guarantee a yes. I list award ranges only where the company’s own page states them.
How to Read This List
Program details were last reviewed in September 2026. Programs change, so confirm the details on the linked page before you apply. Here is how the list is organized.
- National grant programs: formal applications with cycles and deadlines.
- Retail and grocery donation requests: gift cards, product, and sometimes cash.
- Restaurant fundraisers and donations: dine-to-donate nights and food donations.
- Sporting goods brands: gear, gift cards, and sponsorships.
Most teams will get more from the last three groups than the first. National grants are competitive, so treat them as a bonus.
Companies That Donate to Nonprofits: National Grant Programs
These are the formal programs with applications, cycles, or nominations. Expect paperwork and a wait.
| Company | Type of support | How to get in |
|---|---|---|
| Nike Community Impact Fund | One-year grants for local nonprofits and schools that make play possible for youth | Applications have typically opened around January in select cities, through partner foundations |
| DICK’S Foundation Sports Matter | Youth sports grants for under-resourced 501(c)(3)s and schools | Invitation only. Join the Sports Matter Community for alerts |
| Gatorade Community Grant | $1,000 grants, plus $10,000 spotlight grants in 12 sports | You cannot apply. A Gatorade Player of the Year winner nominates a youth organization |
| Target Community Engagement Funds | Grants of $1,000 to $15,000 for 501(c)(3)s and schools | Two application cycles a year. Check the page for the next one |
| Walmart Spark Good Local Grants | Cash grants of $250 to $5,000 from local stores and clubs | Typically three cycles a year, applied for in a Spark Good account |
A few notes on this group:
- Nike only funds specific cities (Atlanta, Boston, Memphis, Portland, St. Louis, and a few others), so check the list first.
- Sports Matter is aimed at youth in higher-poverty zip codes or schools where at least half of students get free or reduced lunch.
- Gatorade matters only if a local Player of the Year winner already cares about your program.
- Target and Walmart do not name youth sports as a focus. A school team or a nonprofit league can still qualify, but frame your request around community access and participation.
Walmart’s cycles have typically included a late-summer to fall window (roughly August through November). Target’s second cycle has typically closed around early September, so that window has likely passed for this year. Check each program page for the next cycle before you plan around a date.
Retail and Grocery Chains That Donate to Sports Teams
This is where many teams find real money. Requests usually go to a store manager or a local portal, and the ask is small and specific.
| Company | Type of support | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Costco | Warehouse donations for local groups, grants for larger orgs | 501(c)(3) focused on children, education, or health. One application per fiscal year (September to August) |
| Kroger | In-kind food and charitable donations, plus Community Rewards | Online donation request portal, then choose your nearest store |
| Publix | Donations, gift cards, sponsorships, giveaways, program ads | Online request in FL, GA, AL, TN, SC, NC, VA, and KY. School requests go to the school, not the booster club |
| Meijer | Charitable donations | Create an account, upload a signed W-9, and allow 60 days for review |
| Hy-Vee | Donations and sponsorships tied to health, food security, and education | Contact your local store first |
| Casey’s | Community donation program for 501(c)(3)s | Donation request form on the Casey’s site |
Two practical tips for this group. First, Kroger’s Community Rewards program lets shoppers link their card to your organization, which is passive income once families sign up. Second, Costco allows one application per fiscal year, so pick the right event before you submit.
Restaurant Donations and Fundraiser Nights
Restaurants are the easiest yes for a team with a short timeline. Most run dine-to-donate nights where a share of sales comes back to you. Some also donate food for banquets and team events.
| Company | Type of support | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Chipotle | Fundraiser nights returning 25% of event sales, with a $150 sales minimum | Online request form |
| Panera Bread | Fundraiser events returning up to 25% of net sales | Book online. Tax-exempt groups get one event every 30 days |
| Buffalo Wild Wings | Eat Wings, Raise Funds and Home Team Advantage programs | Online application. Youth and sports groups are eligible |
| Culver’s | Sponsorships, donations, and fundraising partnerships | Find your local Culver’s. Each franchisee decides |
| Chick-fil-A | Local sponsorships and event support | Contact your local Operator. No standard timeline |
| Raising Cane’s | Donations, sponsorships, and fundraisers | Apply through the Cane’s community site |
| Domino’s | Delivering the Dough fundraising cards | Contact the manager or franchisee of your local store |
The rules differ by chain, so read the terms. Chipotle’s fundraiser only pays out if your supporters clear the sales minimum, which matters for a small team. Chick-fil-A, Culver’s, and Domino’s are franchise-based, so the answer depends on the owner you talk to.
Sporting Goods Brands and Gear Programs
These are the closest fit for a sports team, and they are also where competition is highest. Ask for something specific, like a gift card for a raffle or a small gear donation for your end-of-season banquet.
| Company | Type of support | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| DICK’S Sporting Goods | Sponsorship and donation requests, including a page for teams and leagues | Online request page |
| Academy Sports + Outdoors | Donations for organizations promoting safety and responsibility in sports | Email communityrelations@academy.com at least 90 days before your event. Serves leagues and associations, not single teams |
| Big 5 Sporting Goods | Donation and sponsorship support for team sports and youth groups | Online portal. Submit about two months ahead |
| Scheels | Sponsorship funding, fundraiser auction items, door prizes, team discounts | Online form for the store nearest you, at least one month out |
| Good Sports | New equipment, apparel, and footwear for youth programs | Grant application for established programs in high-need communities |
Good Sports is a nonprofit, not a company, but it is one of the better routes to free gear, so it earns a spot here. Academy’s rule against single-team requests trips up a lot of applicants. If you are one team, have your league or association apply instead.
How to Ask Local Businesses for Donations
The programs above are the top of the funnel. The local pizza shop, the dentist, and the car dealer are where most team sponsorships actually come from. I covered scripts and templates in how to ask for donations for sports teams, so here is the short version.
- Pick 10 businesses with a reason to say yes. Look for owners with kids on your team, businesses near the field, and places your families already spend money.
- Ask for something specific. “A $250 sponsorship for our jerseys” gets a faster answer than “any support you can give.”
- Show up in person with a one-page ask. Include your team name, how many players and families you reach, what the money covers, and how you will thank them.
- Offer visible recognition. A banner, a jersey logo, a shout-out at every home game, and a thank-you post on your team page.
- Make giving easy. Give them a link or QR code so they can pay online in two minutes, and send a receipt.
- Follow up once within a week. A polite second note catches the owners who meant to say yes and got busy.
Many businesses will ask about tax treatment. Point them to the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search so they can confirm your status, and check the IRS 501(c)(3) requirements if your group is not yet recognized. Teams without their own status often work under a school or booster club.
When to Apply
Timing matters more than most people expect. Most retail and restaurant programs want weeks of notice, and a few want months.
- Two weeks to one month out: restaurant fundraiser nights, Scheels, and most store-level requests.
- Six to eight weeks out: Big 5, plus Meijer, which asks for 60 days.
- Three months out: Costco for a dated event, and Academy (90 days).
- Around January: Nike’s typical grant window in eligible cities. Check the page for current dates.
- Year round: Costco, Kroger, Casey’s, and local store asks, though budgets run thin late in the year.
If your season starts in the fall, start your asks in the summer. If you run a spring sport, the winter window is your best bet.
What This Means for Your Team
Do not spend your whole season chasing national grants. Pick three or four programs from this list that match your location and event, send tidy requests, and spend the rest of your energy on local business owners and families.
Company donations also work best alongside a steady donation base. My roundup of sports team fundraising ideas covers what to run alongside your sponsorship asks. If you are still building the budget from scratch, start with how to fund a sports team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What companies donate to sports teams?
Retailers like Costco, Kroger, Publix, and Casey’s take donation requests from local groups. Sporting goods stores like DICK’S, Big 5, and Scheels handle team and league requests, and restaurants like Chipotle and Panera run fundraiser nights.
Do companies donate to nonprofits or only to sports teams?
Most give to both, but the rules differ. Many require a 501(c)(3) or a school, so an independent travel team often needs a booster club or league to apply on its behalf.
How much do companies donate to a sports team?
It depends on the program. Grants such as Walmart’s Spark Good range from $250 to $5,000 and Target’s from $1,000 to $15,000. Store-level gifts are usually gift cards or product, and restaurant nights return a percentage of sales.
How far ahead should we request a donation?
Plan on one month for restaurants and local stores, two months for Big 5 and Meijer, and three months for Costco and Academy. Earlier is always better.
Can a team without 501(c)(3) status get company donations?
Sometimes. Restaurants and local businesses often say yes to unincorporated teams, while grant programs almost never do. Work through a school, booster club, or league if you can.
Should we give donors an online option?
Yes. A simple online page gives sponsors and families a fast way to give and a record of the gift.
Put These Donations to Work
A list like this gets you gift cards, gear, and maybe a grant. A steady online campaign covers the rest of the season budget.
When you are ready to add that piece, start your Team Donor campaign. Team Donor charges a 0% platform fee and sets up your page for you, so every dollar from families and sponsors goes to your team.
