Celebrating our 2026 Recipients
In 2026, it was our privilege to award $6 million to help nonprofits across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Singapore which are working to strengthen their communities. Through our annual Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards® program, nonprofit organizations that are either nominated by local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators or have applied through the Chick-fil-A website can win grants of up to $350,000 to further their impact. Every year, Chick-fil-A One® Members vote through the Chick-fil-A App to help us determine our regional winners.
S. Truett Cathy Honoree
Each year, one organization is selected as the S. Truett Cathy Honoree. This grant recipient embodies the generous, innovative spirit of Chick-fil-A’s late founder — pioneering new ways to solve problems and serve others.
Faith Kitchen
San Antonio, TX
Nominated by Operator Greg Patterson
Faith Kitchen is a nonprofit dedicated to feeding those in need by providing individuals with three nutritious meals a day, 365 days a year, along with dignity, respect and a sense of community. The grant will support continued meal service, job training expansion and the overall operational capacity needed to meet rising demand and serve more than 5,000 homeless individuals each year.
Top category winners
In 2026, 26 organizations were selected as Category Winners. These nonprofits demonstrate leadership and impact in the areas of caring for people, caring for communities, caring for others through food and caring for our planet. In addition, five Global Recipients, including the first nonprofit in Singapore, were awarded grants. Now in its second year, the Subsidiary Recipients category recognizes organizations nominated by General Managers from Chick-fil-A Supply distribution centers and Bay Center Foods, which are subsidiary companies of Chick-fil-A, Inc. This addition demonstrates Chick-fil-A’s dedication to localized impact, supporting nonprofits in cities that play a crucial role in the company’s supply chain operations.
Communities
Foundation for the Homeless, Inc.
Foundation for the Homeless, Inc.
Austin, Texas
Foundation for the Homeless provides nutritious meals and family support services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Austin.
Cultivate Initiatives
Cultivate Initiatives
Portland, Oregon
Cultivate Initiatives supports housing stability and workforce development for individuals rebuilding their lives after homelessness.
Domestic Violence Program, Inc.
Domestic Violence Program, Inc.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Domestic Violence Program provides trauma-informed crisis response, emergency shelter and advocacy to survivors of domestic violence.
Mariposa Women and Family Center
Mariposa Women and Family Center
Orange, California
Mariposa Women and Family Center provides accessible mental health and substance use treatment for vulnerable individuals and families.
People
Capital City Youth Services, Inc.
Capital City Youth Services, Inc.
Tallahassee, Florida
Capital City Youth Services provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention and mental health care for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth.
Engaging Creative Minds
Engaging Creative Minds
North Charleston, South Carolina
Engaging Creative Minds empowers high school students through entrepreneurial education that connects classroom learning to real-world impact.
St. Matthew’s House
St. Matthew’s House
Naples, Florida
St. Matthew’s House helps individuals overcome hunger, homelessness and addiction through food programs, shelter, recovery services and workforce training.
Students of Service
Students of Service
San Antonio, Texas
Students of Service develops youth leaders through service-based learning and student-led projects that address real community needs.
Food
Food Connection
Food Connection
Asheville, North Carolina
Food Connection reduces hunger and food waste by reusing surplus meals and delivering ready-to-eat food to neighbors facing access barriers.
Christian Community Action
Christian Community Action
Lewisville, Texas
Christian Community Action combats food insecurity by sourcing and distributing nutritious food to families, seniors and children across Denton County.
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Bridgeport Rescue Mission
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport Rescue Mission provides food, shelter and long-term recovery programs that help individuals overcome homelessness, addiction and cycles of poverty.
Okanogan County Community Action Council
Okanogan County Community Action Council
Okanogan, Washington
Okanogan County Community Action Council reduces food insecurity in rural communities through its food bank, gardening and nutrition education.
Planet
Trees Atlanta Inc.
Trees Atlanta Inc.
Atlanta, Georgia
Trees Atlanta protects and grows Atlanta’s urban forest while preparing high school students for careers in urban and community forestry.
Trellis for Tomorrow
Trellis for Tomorrow
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Trellis for Tomorrow uses urban agriculture and youth development to address food insecurity, environmental stability and long-term community resilience.
Orange County Coastkeeper
Orange County Coastkeeper
Riverside, California
Orange County Coastkeeper protects swimmable, drinkable water while advancing environmental education in underserved communities.
Elkhorn Slough Foundation
Elkhorn Slough Foundation
Elkhorn, California
Elkhorn Slough Foundation connects underserved youth to nature through hands-on environmental education and outdoor stewardship.
Global Recipient
Resurgo Trust
Resurgo Trust
London, England
Resurgo Trust equips young people with coaching, skills training and long-term support to secure lasting career opportunities.
Fei Yue Community Services
Fei Yue Community Services
Bedok, West Region, Singapore
Fei Yue Community Services connects socially withdrawn youth to mental health support through early outreach, emotional support and peer engagement.
Nuestra Escuela
Nuestra Escuela
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nuestra Escuela supports vulnerable youth through vocational training, mentorship and personalized guidance that rebuilds educational and workforce pathways.
Edmonton Gleaners Association
Edmonton Gleaners Association
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada
Edmonton Gleaners Association reuses surplus food and redistributes it to community partners, reducing food waste while fighting food insecurity.
Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services
Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services strengthens food security by delivering fresh, locally grown produce to households at need while supporting local farmers.
Subsidiary
For Oak Cliff
For Oak Cliff
Dallas, Texas
For Oak Cliff advances equity in South Oak Cliff through culturally responsive programs in education, food access, workforce development, advocacy and the arts.
The Honor Foundation
The Honor Foundation
Nashville, Tennessee
The Honor Foundation supports U.S. Special Operations Forces and their families as they transition to civilian life with purpose, stability and career readiness.
Greater Cleveland Youth for Christ
Greater Cleveland Youth for Christ
Cleveland, Ohio
Greater Cleveland Youth for Christ mentors middle school students through relationship-based programs to build stability, confidence and life skills.
Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee
Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
| Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee improves literacy and academic confidence for underserved students through individualized readhing instruction. |
T3 Foundation
T3 Foundation
Columbia, South Carolina
T3 Foundation supports individuals experiencing homelessness through daily meals, job readiness, coaching, essential supplies and health education.
Regional winners
This year, 29 organizations were selected as 2026 Regional Winners for their work in one of the four categories: Caring for People, Caring for Communities, Caring for Others through Food or Caring for our Planet. These organizations were nominated by a Chick-fil-A Operator and Chick-fil-A One Customers had the opportunity to vote for their favorite finalist in the Chick-fil-A App last fall.
Atlantic Region
Gastonia, North Carolina
Nominated by Operators Nolan Hatley and Natasha Gilbert
Eastern Carolina Housing Organization
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Nominated by Operator Wendy Parkman Grant
Midwest Region
Northeast Region
Southeast Region
Midwest Food Bank – Georgia Division
Peachtree City, Georgia
Nominated by General Manager Michael Burgess
Stuart, Florida
Nominated by Operators
Robert Morris, Nathan Buchannan, Brittany Ainsworth, Michael Kelley, Jimmy Cristantiello, and Matt Shportun
Southwest Region
New Orleans, Louisiana
Nominated by Operators Ben McLeish and Chris Salomone
West Region
Children’s Hospital of Orange County Foundation
Orange, California
Nominated by Operator Kendall Benson
Scottsdale Training and Rehabilitation Services
Scottsdale, Arizona
Nominated by Operator Christopher Gammel
How can nonprofits apply for a grant?
Meet past winners
Read inspiring stories of previous True Inspiration Awards® recipients who are creating solutions to issues facing their communities.
