Kroger supports nonprofits two ways: Community Rewards, where supporters link their loyalty card and a share of their spending goes to your cause, and direct donation requests for cash, grants, sponsorships, gift cards, and products. Here is how to use both and how far ahead to apply.
Kroger Community Rewards turns everyday shopping into ongoing support. Your 501(c)(3) enrolls in the program, then supporters link their Kroger Plus or Shopper's Card to your organization through their digital account. After that, a portion of their regular spending is donated to you automatically each time they shop and swipe their card. It is passive, recurring funding once supporters are signed up.
For a specific event or program, any registered 501(c)(3) can submit a direct donation request. Through this channel Kroger provides cash donations, foundation grants, sponsorships, gift cards, and Kroger products. Use the Kroger donation request form, fill out the required information, and describe your organization and the purpose of the request.
Submit direct requests at least four weeks before your event or deadline. That lead time gives Kroger room to review and respond, and it keeps your request from arriving too late to be considered. Earlier is better, especially around busy seasons.
The two channels work well together. A direct request can fund a specific event now, while Community Rewards builds a steady stream of smaller donations over time as your supporters shop. Setting up Community Rewards once and promoting it to your community turns routine grocery runs into year-round support.
Last updated June 2026. Errors: [email protected]
Community Rewards is built around Kroger's loyalty card. Once your nonprofit is enrolled, supporters go into their digital Kroger account, search for your organization by name or number, and link their card to you. From then on, eligible purchases generate a small donation to your cause at no cost to the shopper. The amounts per shopper are modest, but they add up across many supporters and recur month after month, which makes Community Rewards a reliable base of ongoing funding rather than a one-time gift.
When you need support for a specific event or program, the direct request channel is the right tool. Any registered 501(c)(3) can apply, and Kroger's giving spans cash donations, foundation grants, sponsorships, gift cards, and Kroger products. You submit the request through Kroger's donation request form with details about your organization and what you are asking for. Because this is event-oriented, the four-week lead time matters: a request that lands too close to your date may not be processed in time.
The most effective approach uses both channels together. Set up Community Rewards once and promote it so a portion of your supporters' grocery spending flows to you all year, then layer in direct requests for specific events as they come up. The recurring rewards build a steady baseline while event donations cover one-time needs. Organizations that lean on only one channel leave the other source of support on the table.
To improve a direct request, apply early, be specific about the event and how the donation will be used, and confirm your 501(c)(3) status is current and easy to verify. For Community Rewards, the work is promotion: the more supporters who link their card, the more you receive, so remind your community to enroll and re-enroll when required. Clear asks and active supporter outreach are what turn Kroger's programs into real funding.