Does Panera Bread donate to fundraisers?

Panera states that it does not currently have an event donations program.

Through Panera Fundraising, a nonprofit can host a fundraising event at a participating local Panera bakery-cafe, and either 20% or 25% of the event's total net sales is donated to the organization, depending on the cafe.

Each fundraising event has a minimum sales requirement of $100 to $150 depending on the cafe, and each organization is limited to one event every 30 days.

Gift card purchases, catering orders and third-party delivery orders do not count toward a fundraising event's sales.

Through the Day-End Dough-Nation program, Panera bakery-cafes donate unsold bread, bagels and baked goods to local nonprofits that distribute them to people in need.

Panera also takes part in gift card (scrip) fundraising through RaiseRight and UnitedScrip, where schools and nonprofits buy Panera gift cards at a reduced cost and resell them at full price.

Tips from the program page: You do not need to contact the bakery-cafe yourself; a Panera fundraising coordinator arranges the details. · In-cafe fundraising events run from 4PM to 8PM, and online or mobile orders placed all day count when guests enter the promo code from your flyer. · Flyers may not be handed out in or around the cafe during the event; doing so voids the offer. · Panera emails the donation total within seven business days of the event and mails a check afterward.

What Panera Bread donates

Panera Bread has typically donated: Panera Bread's unsold bread and baked goods.

Who can apply

Panera Bread donates to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Panera Bread limits donation requests by area: Regional.

How to apply

Panera Bread asks every request to include the following.

• Fundraising nights are only open to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations.
• Book a fundraising night by submitting the registration form on Panera's fundraising site with a completed W9; Panera reviews requests within 10 business days.
• Book a fundraising night at least 2 to 3 weeks before the event.
• For Day-End Dough-Nation, be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, religious organization or public school that distributes the food to people in need and commits to weekly, continuous pickups, and apply online.

When to ask

Panera Bread states a lead time of 6 weeks. Count back that far from your event date and send the request no later than then.

Across more than 25,000 fundraising events in our own records over fifteen years, March, April and May are the busiest months for fundraisers, October is the next busiest, and July and December are the quietest.

Work backwards from your event rather than forwards from today, and if your event falls in the spring peak, ask earlier than the stated lead time rather than later.

Common questions

Do I need to be a 501(c)(3) to request a donation from Panera Bread?

Yes. Panera Bread's donation program is limited to organizations with 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, so you will need your determination letter and Tax ID before you apply.

How far ahead should we ask Panera Bread for a donation?

Panera Bread's stated lead time is 6 weeks. Work backwards from your event date: count back that far from the day of the event and send your request before that point.