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Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards

Amount

$30,000 – $350,000 (regional finalists often receive ~$75K).

Deadline

May 1 2025 nomination deadline (operator must submit on our behalf).

Cycle

Annual nomination process followed by public voting.

Effort & Priority

Effort: 6  |  Priority: Worth Exploring
Expected success: Medium.

Why It Matters

A True Inspiration Award could provide a transformative unrestricted gift while rallying community supporters through the voting campaign.

Playbook

  • Secure a Colorado Chick-fil-A operator sponsor by early December; share impact briefings to earn their nomination.
  • Position SungateKids under the Education/Community focus, emphasizing trauma recovery as foundational to learning and stability.
  • Prepare compelling storytelling assets (short video, family testimonial, stats) ready for nomination and public voting.
  • Mobilize supporters, partners, and alumni families for app-based voting during the national campaign.

Success Factors

  • Showcase diverse impact—highlight work with communities of color, first responder families, and rural counties.
  • Explain how award funds will scale storytelling or survivor support, creating a clear use-case.
  • Document community engagement to date (volunteers, partnerships) proving the organization can rally votes.

Risks & Mitigation

  • Highly competitive with public voting—build a social media and email plan ahead of time.
  • Ensure nomination emphasizes alignment with Chick-fil-A’s focus on education, hunger, homelessness, or community impact.
  • Set realistic staff bandwidth for campaign period to avoid pulling focus from must-win grants.

Key Resources