Prepare your taste buds for a flavorful journey, because today we’re diving into the Chili’s fundraiser!
The spicy Tex-Mex wonderland is stepping up their game not only in the realm of tangy margaritas, but also in the business of giving back.
Renowned for their tantalizing menu, the casual dining chain has cooked up a restaurant fundraising idea hotter than their signature Baby Back Ribs.
So, let’s explore how your nacho cravings and fajita dreams can contribute to a worthy cause.
Get ready for the heat as we explain how Chili’s fundraising works and how to start your own!
Table of Contents
- What Is A Chili’s Fundraiser?
- Who Can Start A Chili’s Fundraiser?
- How Does A Chili’s Fundraiser Work?
- How To Start A Chili’s Fundraiser
- Is Chili’s Fundraising Right For You?
What Is A Chili’s Fundraiser?
A Chili’s Fundraiser is a way to raise funds by working with the casual dining restaurant.
There are only two ways to raise funds with this company: gift card fundraising or donations requests.
Quality Dining Inc., a former Chili’s franchisee, used to offer a Give Back Night, which was a Dine to Donate event. However, QDI sold all 37 of its locations to Brinker, Chili’s parent company, in 2022.
Unfortunately, neither Brinker nor the Chili’s website makes any mention of fundraising opportunities.
However, there are still third-party fundraising options that allow you to raise money with the restaurant.
We discuss how they both work later in this article.
Who Can Start A Chili’s Fundraiser?
Eligibility for a Chili’s fundraiser depends on what kind of fundraising you want to do.
If you’re interested in gift card fundraising, any of the following types of groups qualify:
- School
- Church
- Sports Team
- Booster Club
- PTO/PTA
- Band
- Other Nonprofits
Meanwhile, for donation requests, you may need to be a registered 510(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.
While TheShareWay doesn’t say for sure if it’s a mandatory requirement, it does say that these organizations are at least preferred.
How Does A Chili’s Fundraiser Work?
While fundraising options with Chili’s are more limited than a lot of the other restaurants we cover, you still have choices.
Below, we discuss the two types of fundraisers you can start with the casual dining chain.
Gift Card Fundraising
In a Chili’s gift card fundraiser, your supporters contribute to your cause by purchasing gift cards using a unique code assigned to your organization.
With every gift card sale, up to 11% of the proceeds are automatically donated back to your group.
Additionally, your supporters can buy gift cards to a huge array of companies, not just Chili’s. This gives them more flexibility, making them more likely to make more purchases.
To get started, you just need to register your team with RaiseRight. After receiving the approval, they’ll provide you with a unique link and code that you can share with your backers.
Finally, you can use your dashboard to monitor your fundraising efforts and easily transfer the funds to your organization.
Donation Request
Chili’s accepts donation requests for gift cards and monetary support.
While there’s no guidance on how to submit a request to Chili’s on their website, you can apply through TheShareWay.
While only 12% of applications are approved, and 62% receive no response at all, some groups have had success.
One approved organization said:
“Simple process through the parent company of Brinker International that also includes Maggiano’s – applied in mid-February but received it end of May since our event is end of July.”
-The Rotsky Foundation for Mentors (May 2023)
Another approved group wrote:
“The manager was very nice and handed me one $20 and one $10 gift card.”
-Garland Senior Activity Center (May 2023)
The average donation value is about $30, but it varies quite a bit. So, you may increase your chances of approval for a larger amount by writing a great donation request.
Finally, it’s worth noting that the restaurant accepts requests from groups in every state except Oregon.
How To Start A Chili’s Fundraiser
For gift card fundraising, you can enroll your group directly on the RaiseRight website.
Meanwhile, for donation requests, you’ll have to submit an application on TheShareWay.
Finally, if you’re really looking to raise a lot of funds, fill out this form and we’ll connect you with one of our fundraising partners. They offer tons of great products to raise funds for your cause, and we believe it’s the most profitable type of fundraising venture.
Note: We do not work directly with any restaurant partners, so the best way to work with them is to contact your local restaurant directly. To work with our partners, fill out our form and we’ll help you get started in no time!
Is Chili’s Fundraising Right For You?
These kings of Tex-Mex cuisine have transformed a restaurant fundraising idea into a grand fiesta of flavors and philanthropy.
Combining delicious meals with generous giving can stir up a firestorm of community involvement, and it’s hotter than a jalapeño in July.
However, while Chili’s fundraising is a great idea, other restaurants provide more opportunities to raise funds. So, you may want to check out these related restaurant fundraisers:
- Applebee’s fundraiser
- Chipotle fundraiser
- Chick-fil-A fundraiser
- IHOP fundraiser
- Panera fundraiser
- Panda Express fundraiser
However, keep in mind that you can really maximize your fundraising capabilities by utilizing multiple types of fundraisers.
So, if you want to raise as much money for your cause as possible, fill out this form and we’ll help you get on the path to success!
