Does Panera donate food or gift cards for events, raffles or auctions?

Panera's fundraising FAQ says it does not currently have an event donations or sponsorship program. It directs organizations to Day-End Dough-Nation for food donations.

Can a group that is not a 501(c)(3) host a Panera fundraiser?

No. Panera says it can only partner with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations for fundraising events.

How far ahead should we book a Panera fundraiser?

Panera asks organizations to book at least 2 to 3 weeks before the event. The booking form shows the soonest date available at the cafe you choose.

How long does Panera take to reply to a fundraiser request?

Panera says its team reviews requests and responds within 10 business days. If you have no reply after that, it says the request may not have gone through and you may need to resubmit.

Does Panera give grants to nonprofits?

The Panera Bread Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving underserved, at-risk and underrepresented youth. Its official grant application portal says it is not currently accepting funding requests and asks organizations to check back for the next cycle.

Panera donation request

Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) groups can book a Panera fundraiser that returns 20% or 25% of qualifying net sales and requires supporter purchases. Panera does not currently run an event donation or sponsorship program, and its Foundation grant application portal is closed. Nonprofits, religious organizations and public schools that distribute food to people in need can apply for Day-End Dough-Nation through its donation form.

Checked against Panera Bread's own pages on October 5, 2026 by With Help From. Not affiliated with Panera Bread.

Status: Accepts requests
What it gives: A donation of 20% or 25% of net sales from a fundraising event at a participating U.S. bakery-cafe (in-cafe 4 PM to 8 PM; online and mobile orders with the event promo code count all day), paid by check (Panera Fundraising)
Unsold bread, bagels and baked goods, picked up from a local bakery-cafe at the end of the night (Day-End Dough-Nation)
Grants to nonprofits supporting underserved, at-risk and underrepresented youth (Panera Bread Foundation Grant Program)
Who decides: Unclear
Apply ahead: Book at least 2 to 3 weeks before the event. The booking form shows the soonest available date for the cafe you choose.

Apply on fundraising.panerabread.com

Panera Fundraising

A donation of 20% or 25% of net sales from a fundraising event at a participating U.S. bakery-cafe (in-cafe 4 PM to 8 PM; online and mobile orders with the event promo code count all day), paid by check. Either 20% or 25% of total net sales, depending on the bakery-cafe. Minimum sales of $100 to $150 per event, depending on the bakery-cafe.

Who can apply: Tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations
Panera names schools, sports teams and scout groups as examples of nonprofit hosts
Events must be appropriate for a family-friendly environment
Not eligible: Organizations that are not tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations
How to apply: Have a completed W-9 ready to upload.
On the Panera Fundraising site, choose Book Now, pick a participating bakery-cafe and a day, create a Panera Fundraising account, and enter your organization details and mailing address.
Panera's team reviews the request. If it is approved, you get a flyer, social media graphics and a promo code for online orders.
On the event day, guests show the flyer (printed or on a phone) at the register, or enter the promo code before paying online. Flyers may not be handed out in or near the cafe during the event. Gift card purchases, catering, retail items and third-party delivery orders do not count.
Lead time: Book at least 2 to 3 weeks before the event. The booking form shows the soonest available date for the cafe you choose.
Deadlines: Each organization is limited to one event every 30 days, assuming past events were successful; this may vary by cafe.
Response: Panera says it reviews requests and responds within 10 business days; if you hear nothing after that, you may need to resubmit. Results are emailed within 7 business days of the event. The FAQ says to allow 45 to 60 business days for the check; the terms say about 45 days.
Official page: fundraising.panerabread.com/new-request

Day-End Dough-Nation

Unsold bread, bagels and baked goods, picked up from a local bakery-cafe at the end of the night

Who can apply: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, or public schools
Organizations that give the donated products to people in need, people who are ill, or underserved and at-risk children and youth
Organizations that commit to picking up and distributing the food on a weekly and continuous basis
Not eligible: Panera excludes institutions, non-religious organizations, events and programs that discriminate based on race, color, religion, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, ethnic or national origin, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or age.
How to apply: Use the online donation form linked from Panera's Day-End Dough-Nation page.
Panera's Donations Team responds to each application by email.
Deadlines: Panera says it is always accepting applications.
Response: Panera's Donations Team responds by email to each application.
Official page: panerabread.my.site.com/panerasfforms/s/donationsform

Panera Bread Foundation Grant Program

Grants to nonprofits supporting underserved, at-risk and underrepresented youth

Who can apply: 501(c)(3) nonprofits that share the Foundation's focus on helping underserved, at-risk and underrepresented youth become leaders
How to apply: The application portal is currently closed to funding requests. Check it for an update on the next grant cycle.
When applications reopen, the portal instructs new applicants to create an account and returning applicants to use their existing account, then select Begin Application.
Deadlines: The portal says it is not currently accepting funding requests. It does not give a date for the next grant cycle.
Official page: panerafoundation.versaic.com/login

Write the request

Before you open the form, write down what the donation is for, the date, how many people it reaches and how you will thank Panera. If Panera asks for a letter, adapt the donation request template or a youth sports sponsorship letter. After a yes, send a sponsor thank-you letter.

Questions

Does Panera donate food or gift cards for events, raffles or auctions?: Panera's fundraising FAQ says it does not currently have an event donations or sponsorship program. It directs organizations to Day-End Dough-Nation for food donations.
Can a group that is not a 501(c)(3) host a Panera fundraiser?: No. Panera says it can only partner with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations for fundraising events.
How far ahead should we book a Panera fundraiser?: Panera asks organizations to book at least 2 to 3 weeks before the event. The booking form shows the soonest date available at the cafe you choose.
How long does Panera take to reply to a fundraiser request?: Panera says its team reviews requests and responds within 10 business days. If you have no reply after that, it says the request may not have gone through and you may need to resubmit.
Does Panera give grants to nonprofits?: The Panera Bread Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving underserved, at-risk and underrepresented youth. Its official grant application portal says it is not currently accepting funding requests and asks organizations to check back for the next cycle.

Sources

Panera Fundraising (Panera Bread)
FAQ | Panera Fundraising (Panera Bread)
Terms & Conditions | Panera Fundraising (Panera Bread)
Panera Fundraising application (Book Now) (Panera Bread)
Our Communities (Panera Bread)
Day-End Dough-Nation Program (Panera Bread)
Panera Bread's Donation Programs (donation application form) (Panera Bread)
Panera Bread Foundation grant application portal: currently closed (Panera Bread Foundation)
Panera Bread Foundation Announces 2025 Grant Open Application Period (October 3, 2024; official portal link) (Panera Bread)

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Ask local businesses too

Independent businesses near you have no national form: the owner decides. Post what you need so businesses on With Help From can find you, or read how to ask local businesses for donations.