Chick-fil-A donates record-breaking program funding to 51 organizations across Canada and the U.S., including Puerto Rico, in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the program

Every year, non-profits across Canada, the U.S. and Puerto Rico eagerly wait for the results of the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards™, in hopes of being named a grant recipient of the program.

For the 10th anniversary of the Awards, it is our pleasure to announce that 51 organizations were selected for their high-impact efforts to care for their communities, including three outstanding Canadian recipients: East York Meals on Wheels, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada and Living Lakes Canada Society.

The grants are given to organizations that make an impact by Caring for People, Caring for Others through Food, Caring for our Communities and Caring for our Planet – falling within Chick-fil-A’s corporate social responsibility pillars, which help guide overall giving efforts. 

Through these donations from Chick-fil-A, the company helps to empower local non-profits to lead positive change and continue creating a tangible difference for those they serve. Since 2015, Chick-fil-A has presented more than 300 True Inspiration Awards grants to non-profits in local communities, totaling over US$27.8 million. The program was expanded in 2021 to include Canada and Puerto Rico in 2024.

Caring for Others through Food with dignity

East York Meals on Wheels (EYMOW), located in Toronto, Ontario, received US$125,000 to support their Café and Food Market program, which fights food insecurity by offering low to no-cost fresh and seasonal food, essential daily items, and a range of services to assist low-income communities.

Through this social enterprise, dignified access to food and an essential gathering space are both provided to the community, which fosters opportunities for education, connection, skills development and entrepreneurship.

The plans for the Café and Food Market align directly with Chick-fil-A's priority for Caring for Others through Food in two outstanding ways:

  • Providing community members with a dignified and barrier-free experience to access food.
  • Using food as the entry point to foster long-term and sustainable change in the community through critical skills development, access to certifications, systems-level knowledge, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and mentorship for youth and families.

With the assistance of the grant, EYMOW will continue providing critical support and fight higher-than-average poverty rates and unemployment rates in the communities they serve, including the downtown Toronto, Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park areas.

Caring for People and Our Communities

The second Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Award in Canada was granted to the Children's Aid Foundation of Canada in Toronto, Ontario. The organization received US$50,000 for their Ignite the Spark program that supports children and youth to explore their passions and interests, while facilitating the building of identity, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging.

When growing up in the child welfare system, children often experience abuse, neglect and abandonment. Economic barriers also prevent them from being able to afford registration fees or equipment for extracurricular activities. 

Through Ignite the Spark, the Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada helps level the playing field for at-risk children. To date, the program has made it possible for children and youth to partake in activities with peers, build relationships and experience the benefits of physical activity.

Caring for Our Planet

Living Lakes Canada Society in Nelson, British Columbia, received a US$30,000 grant for their National Lake Blitz program, which facilitates collaboration in science, education, monitoring and data collection for the long-term protection of Canada's lakes.

Focusing on Caring for our Planet, the organization creates basic water stewardship opportunities and raises awareness in communities to help understand the impacts of climate change, industry and recreation on lake ecosystems.

In addition, the National Lake Blitz raises awareness on the need for youth and future generations to act. By providing a low-barrier program and bringing them into the climate conversations, it empowers them to be part of a solution. It also addresses other community challenges youth currently face such as social isolation and systemic barriers to participating in environmental education.

Beyond Caring for our Planet, National Lake Blitz’s opportunities to learn and fight the climate crisis support in the prevention of feelings of helplessness, sometimes referred to as experiencing climate grief. Rather, they encourage taking ownership for the future, our water resources and to actively address climate impacts

Living Lakes Canada Society is looking forward to the long-term impacts that will result from the National Lake Blitz, such as:

  • Developing a network of lake stewards that will monitor their lake for 10+ years.
  • Building a robust national database of lake temperature and photo data.

Apply for the 2025 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards™

This year, hundreds of applications from across Canada, the U.S. and Puerto Rico were submitted for consideration. Whether endorsed by local Chick-fil-A Owner-Operators or self-nominated by non-profit organizations, each had inspiring stories of their impact through caring through food, for communities, for people and for the planet.

If you’re a non-profit interested in applying for the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards, visit Chick-fil-a.com/true-inspiration-awards.

More information about the Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards and the other remarkable recipients who earned recognition this year can be found here.

To learn more about how Chick-fil-A, Inc. gives back to the communities it serves through other corporate social responsibility initiatives, visit Chick-fil-A.com/corporate-social-responsibility.