Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards

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

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

Annual nomination process followed by public voting.

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.

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.

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.

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.