Chipotle's main way of giving is the fundraiser night: your group promotes an event at a local restaurant, supporters order during a set window, and Chipotle donates a share of those sales to your cause. Here is how to set one up, the rules that affect your payout, and how to ask about gift cards.
Apply for a fundraiser through Chipotle's community fundraising site, choosing a local restaurant. Once your application is approved, you pick a date and start promoting the event to your community. The application is the entry point; there is no need to call the restaurant first.
Chipotle asks for at least three weeks of notice to schedule a fundraiser. That window gives the restaurant time to prepare and gives you time to promote, which is what drives the sales your donation is based on. Plan backward from your ideal date so you submit early enough.
As long as your group is a recognized nonprofit or a school-affiliated club with a valid tax ID, you are eligible. Chipotle supports a wide range of causes, from arts and music to science and technology, athletics, sustainability projects, and general community needs, so most mission types can take part.
During your event, supporters need to identify your fundraiser: by showing a physical or digital flyer, telling the cashier, or using your fundraiser's online code when ordering through the Chipotle app or website. Chipotle donates a share of the qualifying event sales, a rate commonly cited around 25 to 33 percent, so confirm the current percentage when you apply. A minimum of $150 in event sales is required to receive any donation, which makes turnout the most important factor.
Gift card donations are limited, but you can sometimes request them for raffles or teacher-appreciation events by contacting your local manager. Note that paying with a gift card during your fundraiser does not count as a qualifying order, so gift card purchases are not included in the event sales total.
Last updated June 2026. Errors: [email protected]
Chipotle's signature giving model is the fundraiser night rather than a cash grant. Your group is essentially driving customers to a Chipotle during a set window, and Chipotle shares back a portion of the sales those customers generate. That is why the model rewards promotion: the more supporters you bring in who correctly identify your fundraiser, the larger your donation. It works especially well for schools, clubs, and community groups with an engaged base who eat out anyway.
A few rules determine what you actually receive. Supporters must identify your fundraiser at the point of sale, by flyer, by telling the cashier, or by using your online code, or the order will not count. Chipotle donates a share of qualifying sales, commonly cited in the 25 to 33 percent range, which can vary, so verify the current rate at application. And there is a $150 minimum in event sales to receive any donation, so a poorly attended event can fall short of qualifying. Knowing these rules shapes how hard you promote.
Because turnout drives the donation, promotion is the real work. Share the flyer widely in both print and digital form, since either can be shown at checkout, and distribute your online ordering code for supporters who prefer pickup through the app or website. Pick a date and time when your community already eats out, remind people the day of, and make it easy to participate. A well-promoted two-hour window can outperform a quiet all-day event.
If you need something for a raffle or a teacher-appreciation effort rather than an event payout, ask your local Chipotle manager about a gift card donation, keeping in mind these are limited and separate from the fundraiser model. And because a single fundraiser night has a ceiling, many groups combine Chipotle events with requests to other brands that give gift cards, products, or grants. Pairing a Chipotle night with a few other asks builds a stronger overall fundraiser.