Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards

Amount

$30,000 – $350,000

Deadline

May 1, 2026

Match / Cost Share

No (no formal match)

Effort & Success

Effort Score: 6 (online app + operator nomination)
Fit Score: 6 (indirect, mostly US-focused)
Success Outlook: Low-Med (depends on nomination)
Worth Exploring

Fund Basics

Award Size: $30K–$350K; the 2025 cohort split $6M across 56 grantees (~$107K average).
Cycle: Portal opens March 1, closes May 1; finalists face public voting in October with awards announced year-end.
Contact: Chick-fil-A Foundation program team (cfa.foundation@chick-fil-a.com); cultivate a local Owner/Operator to nominate and champion the application.
Match: None required, though demonstrable community backing (funders, volunteers) strengthens scoring.

Eligibility & Fit

Open to 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth, education, hunger relief, or neighborhood enrichment (faith-based allowed if outcomes are community-focused).
Historically U.S.-centric, now expanded to Canada and the U.K.—international projects must highlight tangible local community impact.
No awards for individuals, endowments, or purely religious proselytizing; frame Ason’s work in terms of education and poverty alleviation.

Application Requirements

Online narrative with strict character counts detailing mission, need, impact metrics, and budget.
Two-minute impact video plus compelling photos to support storytelling.
Proof of 501(c)(3) status, latest financials (Form 990 or audit), and a formal endorsement from the sponsoring Chick-fil-A Operator.
Estimate 15–20 hours total: 8–10h writing, 5–7h for video/testimonials, plus coordination with the Operator.

Competition & Relationship Notes

Hundreds of applicants chase 50–60 awards (≈10% success); most winners demonstrate strong local relevance.
A committed Owner/Operator sponsor is non-negotiable—secure the relationship early and leverage their advocacy during internal review.
Finalize a plan to mobilize church networks and partners during the customer voting phase should Ason reach finalist status.

Strategic Fit Analysis

Ason’s schools and youth programs align with Chick-fil-A’s pillars of education, leadership, and community uplift. Tell the story through clear metrics (students served, wells installed) and vivid visuals, showing how servant leadership and hospitality values play out overseas. Because much of our impact is international, highlight U.S. touchpoints—Florida volunteers, donor engagement, or diaspora communities—to demonstrate relevance to Chick-fil-A customers.

Mitigate risks by framing the work in charitable terms rather than proselytization, and be realistic about odds: success may take multiple attempts. Still, the ROI is attractive—20 hours of effort could return $75K and deliver significant visibility.

Strategy Note

Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards – This is worth a shot especially if we can engage a local Chick-fil-A owner as a champion. It’s a competitive stretch since our work is overseas, but Chick-fil-A has funded at least one international program (Haiti) and our education focus can be framed in their “education/youth” category. The potential $50k+ grant and the national exposure make it worth trying. Caveat: invest significant time only with a committed operator nomination.