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Community events · reviewed 2026-09-20

Panera fundraising cafés

Find participating cafés and understand what counts toward your event.

Plan the event

Eligible 501(c)(3) organisations apply with a completed W-9. Allow 2–3 weeks before the proposed date and up to 10 business days for review. Usually, one event is allowed every 30 days.

In-café events run 4–8pm; qualifying online orders can count all day with the event code. A café listing does not confirm an available date.

Understand the donation

Cafés donate 20% or 25% of eligible net sales, subject to a $100–$150 minimum. Confirm the café’s exact terms during registration. Gift-card purchases, catering and third-party delivery do not count; gift cards can be used to pay. Do not distribute flyers in or near the café during the event.

For illustration, $500 of eligible sales would yield $100 at 20% or $125 at 25%, once the event’s conditions are met.

The FAQ gives differing check-delivery estimates: 45 business days in one answer and 45–60 in another. Confirm timing with the coordinator. Read the official sources and coverage.

1,952 matching cafés

We matched 1,952 of the official directory’s 1,954 entries to an exact café address, city, state and ZIP. An absent match does not establish non-participation.

Other ways Panera supports community groups

Fundraising nights differ from surplus-food donations, foundation grants and gift-card fundraising. Compare the community programmes before choosing an approach.