DonationScout
Restaurant Fundraisers

Find a restaurant fundraiser your community will show up for.

DonationScout helps schools, nonprofits, PTO/PTA groups, teams, churches, and community organizations find participating restaurants, apply online, and raise money with trusted partners.

Fundraiser EventsDine-in days & group fundraisers
In-Kind DonationsGift cards, food, and product
SponsorshipsLong-term partnership support
Community-first Brands
Round Table Pizza
Cafe Rio
Panera Bread
Buffalo Wild Wings
Primanti Bros
Slim Chickens
Bertucci's
Dairy Queen
Jason's Deli
Fatburger
Smokey Bones
Fazoli's
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Luna Grill
&pizza
Tijuana Flats
McAlister's Deli
Cabo Bob's

How it works

  1. 1. Find Support

    Search restaurants near you that offer fundraisers, in-kind donations and sponsorships.

  2. 2. Submit a Request

    Complete your request online in just a few minutes.

  3. 3. Grow Your Impact

    Connect with restaurant partners and receive the support that meets your needs.

More ways restaurants can support you

Fundraiser Events

Fundraiser Events

Restaurant fundraiser events are one of the easiest ways for schools, sports teams, nonprofits, and community groups to turn a normal meal into meaningful support. Pick a participating restaurant, choose a date, promote the event, and the restaurant donates a percentage of eligible sales back to your cause.

Many fundraisers are hosted as dine-in events, but some restaurants also allow takeout, catering, online orders, or app orders with a fundraiser code. DonationScout helps you find participating locations, review program details, and request a fundraiser that fits your community.

Fundraiser events work especially well for recurring needs like PTA drives, team fundraisers, choir trips, church programs, booster clubs, and capital campaigns. There is no merchandise to sell, supporters get a meal they already enjoy, and your organization receives support from a local restaurant partner.

Find Fundraiser Events Near You
In-Kind Donations

In-Kind Donations

In-kind donations let restaurants support your organization with non-cash contributions. These may include food donations, gift cards, raffle prizes, catering support, party platters, desserts, coupons, or meals for volunteers, staff, families, or event guests.

Each restaurant sets its own donation guidelines, including what types of requests it supports, how much notice is required, and which organizations are eligible. DonationScout helps you find restaurants near you that may offer in-kind donations and review available options before submitting a request.

In-kind donations are a good fit for silent auctions, school events, volunteer appreciation, classroom rewards, nonprofit programs, youth sports events, community celebrations, and one-time needs that do not require a full fundraiser event.

Find In-Kind Donations Near You
Sponsorships

Sponsorships

Restaurant sponsorships help schools, nonprofits, teams, and community organizations secure broader support from local restaurant partners. A sponsorship may include financial support, food, gift cards, event participation, branded materials, promotional support, or a combination of several types of support.

Sponsorship opportunities vary by restaurant, location, and program. Some restaurants may support youth sports teams, school events, nonprofit galas, 5K races, community festivals, robotics teams, church programs, or local cause campaigns. DonationScout helps you find restaurants that may be open to sponsorship requests near you.

The strongest sponsorship requests show how the partnership benefits both sides. Your organization may offer event visibility, social media mentions, newsletter recognition, signage, program ads, jersey placement, or other ways to recognize the restaurant’s support in the community.

Find Sponsorships Near You

Feature Blogs

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Avoid Restaurant Fundraisers Here

Avoid Restaurant Fundraisers Here

When it comes to hosting restaurant fundraisers, there are two camps: restaurants with a formalized fundraiser program and restaurants without. The latter group, which we'll refer to as non-fundraiser-friendly restaurants...

Read more
Restaurant Fundraiser Success for PTO / PTAs

Restaurant Fundraiser Success for PTO / PTAs

Fundraising events are an excellent way for elementary schools to raise much-needed funds for various initiatives. One popular and effective method is organizing regular restaurant fundraisers. By partnering with a restaurant...

Read more
Panera Bread Fundraising: Raise More Dough in 2025

Panera Bread Fundraising: Raise More Dough in 2025

Panera Fundraising Nights are the perfect way to gather your supporters for a meal that gives back. When your group hosts a fundraiser with Panera, up to 25% of net sales from your supporters will be donated directly to your organization.

Read more

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do restaurant fundraisers work?

Restaurant fundraisers let your organization raise money when supporters order from a participating restaurant during an approved fundraiser event. Your group applies or requests a date, promotes the event to your community, and the restaurant donates a portion of eligible sales back to your organization.

Who can host a restaurant fundraiser?

Restaurant fundraisers are commonly hosted by schools, PTO/PTA groups, nonprofits, youth sports teams, churches, clubs, booster groups, and other community organizations. Eligibility can vary by restaurant, location, and program rules.

How do I find restaurants near me that offer fundraisers?

Use DonationScout to search by address, city, state, or ZIP code. You can find participating restaurants near you, compare fundraiser options, and request support from restaurants that offer community fundraising programs.

How much money can my organization raise?

The amount your organization can raise depends on the restaurant's donation percentage, event attendance, eligible sales, order types, and most importantly, how well your group promotes the fundraiser. Some restaurants may also have minimum sales requirements or program-specific limits. Typically, groups can earn an extra $100-$200 just for eating out with friends.

How long does it take to get approved?

Approval timing varies by restaurant. Some restaurants may respond within 24 hours, while others may take several business days to review and approve fundraiser requests.

What types of orders count toward a fundraiser?

Eligible orders vary by restaurant. Depending on the program, qualifying sales may include dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, catering, online orders, or app orders. Always review the restaurant's fundraiser details before promoting your event.

Can supporters participate if they cannot attend in person?

Often, yes. Some restaurant fundraisers allow takeout, online ordering, delivery, catering, or app-based orders. Availability depends on the restaurant's specific fundraiser rules.

How does the $1,000 monthly giveaway work?

Organizations that host a successful qualifying fundraiser during the month may be eligible for a chance to win $1,000. One winner is selected each month. Official rules and eligibility requirements apply. See those here.

Do I need to enter the giveaway separately?

Qualified groups that host successful events with DonationScout-certified restaurants are automatically registered for the giveaway. Review the rules for complete details.

Do restaurants also provide in-kind donations?

Yes. Some restaurants may offer in-kind donations in addition to fundraiser events. These may include food donations, gift cards, catering support, raffle items, or other non-cash contributions. Availability varies by restaurant and location.

What are restaurant in-kind donations?

Restaurant in-kind donations are non-cash contributions that restaurants provide to support schools, nonprofits, teams, events, or community groups. Common examples include donated meals, food trays, gift cards, coupons, catering, desserts, or raffle prizes.

How can my organization request an in-kind donation from a restaurant?

You can search DonationScout for restaurants that accept donation requests, review available support options, and submit a request when a restaurant provides an online application or contact process. Each restaurant may have its own eligibility rules, required notice period, and approval process.

Which restaurants donate food or gift cards to nonprofits?

Many restaurants consider food donations, gift card donations, or raffle item requests for eligible organization types. Availability depends on the restaurant brand, local operator, location, and type of request. DonationScout helps you find restaurants near you that may offer these support options.

Do restaurants offer sponsorships for schools, teams, and nonprofits?

Yes. Many restaurants offer sponsorships for schools, youth sports teams, nonprofit events, community programs, and local fundraisers. Sponsorships may include financial support, food support, event participation, branded donations, or promotional partnerships.

How do I find restaurant sponsorship opportunities near me?

Search DonationScout by location to find restaurants that support local organizations. Restaurant sponsorship availability varies by market, so searching your city or ZIP code is the best way to find nearby opportunities.

What is the difference between a restaurant fundraiser, an in-kind donation, and a sponsorship?

A restaurant fundraiser usually donates a percentage of eligible sales from a scheduled event. An in-kind donation is a non-cash contribution, such as food, gift cards, or catering. A sponsorship is broader support for an organization, event, team, or program, and may include money, food, promotion, or other resources.

Can my organization request both a fundraiser and an in-kind donation?

Sometimes. Some restaurants may allow organizations to request multiple types of support, while others may limit requests by organization, event, location, or time period. Review the restaurant's program details before submitting multiple requests.

Are restaurant sponsorships available for youth sports teams?

Yes. Some restaurants sponsor youth sports teams through food donations, team nights, fundraiser events, gift cards, local advertising, or direct sponsorship support. Availability depends on the restaurant and location.

Can schools and PTO/PTA groups request restaurant donations?

Yes. Schools, PTO/PTA groups, booster clubs, classrooms, and school-affiliated organizations often request restaurant fundraisers, food donations, gift cards, and sponsorships. Each restaurant may have its own requirements for school-related requests.

Is DonationScout only for tax-exempt organizations?

While most restaurants can only donate funds or products to tax-exempt organizations, others may choose to support various causes that might not be tax-exempt. Select sports teams are a good example of such organizations. Eligibility is ultimately determined by the restaurant location.

What if I cannot find a participating restaurant near me?

Restaurant availability varies by location. If you do not see a good match right away, check back as new restaurants are added, search nearby cities or ZIP codes, or explore other support options such as in-kind donations and sponsorships.

How can my restaurant join DonationScout?

Learn more at www.donationscout.com