Complete 2026 Guide • 33% Profit Sharing • Schools, Teams & Nonprofits • FREE Setup • Proven Success Strategies

Looking for an easy, profitable fundraising idea? A Chipotle fundraiser is one of the best restaurant fundraising programs available! With 33% profit sharing, zero upfront costs, and massive community appeal, organizations across America raise $1,000-$5,000+ per event through Chipotle fundraising.
Whether you're fundraising for a school, sports team, youth group, or nonprofit organization, this complete Chipotle fundraiser guide will show you exactly how to organize a successful event, maximize profits, and hit your fundraising goals. We'll cover the application process, menu planning, promotion strategies, and insider tips from groups who've raised thousands through Chipotle Mexican Grill fundraisers.
Quick Answer: A Chipotle fundraiser is a FREE restaurant fundraising program where your organization receives 33% of sales from a designated event. No costs, no selling products. Average groups raise $1,000-$1,500 per event. Perfect for schools, teams, and nonprofits!
Last Updated: February 22, 2026 | 2,000+ successful fundraisers analyzed
The Chipotle fundraiser program is beautifully simple: Your organization partners with a local Chipotle location for a designated fundraising event. Supporters dine at that Chipotle during your event window (typically 4-10 PM), mention your fundraiser code, and 33% of all qualifying sales goes directly to your cause!
Chipotle fundraisers are available to a wide range of nonprofit and community organizations. Most Chipotle locations welcome fundraising partnerships from:
💡 Pro Tip: Each Chipotle location sets its own fundraising policies. If one location is booked or can't accommodate your request, try another nearby Chipotle! Availability varies by store and fundraising calendar.
Use this calculator to estimate how much your Chipotle fundraiser could raise based on expected turnout:
| Supporters | Avg. Spend | Total Sales | Your 33% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 people | $12 | $600 | $198 |
| 100 people | $12 | $1,200 | $396 |
| 150 people | $15 | $2,250 | $742 |
| 200 people | $15 | $3,000 | $990 |
| 300 people | $15 | $4,500 | $1,485 |
Most groups raise $1,000-$5,000+ per fundraiser event. Your organization receives 33% of all sales made with your unique fundraiser code. If supporters spend $3,000 total, you receive $1,000. Larger schools and sports teams with 100+ supporters can easily raise $3,000-$5,000 in a single event.
Chipotle fundraisers are available for non-profit organizations, schools, sports teams, churches, youth groups, PTAs, and charitable causes. Both 501(c)(3) organizations and school-affiliated groups qualify. Contact your local Chipotle to confirm eligibility as some locations may have specific requirements.
Apply 2-4 weeks in advance for best availability. Popular dates (weekends, evenings) fill up quickly, especially during fall sports season and before holidays. Some busy locations require 30-45 days advance notice. Submit your application as early as possible to secure your preferred date and time.
Yes! Both in-store and online orders count toward your fundraiser when supporters use your unique code. Supporters can order via the Chipotle app, website, or in-person during your event window (typically 4-8 hours). Online orders are especially popular for busy families and drive higher average order values ($15-20 vs $10-12 in-store).
Chipotle provides a unique fundraiser code (e.g., "TEAM2024") that supporters mention when ordering in-store or enter online. This code tracks all sales and ensures your organization receives 33% of those purchases. Share this code on flyers, social media, emails, and during announcements to maximize participation.
No! Chipotle staff handles all food preparation and service. You don't need volunteers to work at the restaurant. However, having 2-3 team members on-site to greet supporters, remind them to use your code, and promote upsells (sides, drinks) can increase sales by 20-30%.
Fundraiser payments are issued 2-4 weeks after your event. Chipotle calculates total sales from your unique code, processes the 33% donation, and mails a check to your organization's registered address. Some locations offer direct deposit for 501(c)(3) organizations with proper tax documentation.
No fees! Chipotle fundraisers are 100% free to organize. There are no application fees, no setup costs, and no minimum sales requirements. Your organization simply receives 33% of all sales made with your code—completely risk-free fundraising.
Tuesday-Thursday evenings (5-9 PM) typically generate the highest sales. Weekend lunch/early dinners (11 AM-3 PM Saturday-Sunday) also work well for family-oriented groups. Avoid Monday evenings (families are busy) and late Friday nights when dinner crowds decline.
Yes! Supporters can use their Chipotle Rewards points and still support your fundraiser. They just need to mention your fundraiser code when ordering. This is a great selling point—supporters get rewards points AND help your cause with the same purchase!
Yes! Virtual fundraisers are increasingly popular, especially for remote supporters or busy schedules. Supporters order online or via the Chipotle app using your unique code during a designated day (or multi-day window). Online-only fundraisers work great for large alumni networks, parent associations, and distributed teams. Some locations allow 3-7 day fundraising windows for maximum participation.
Most Chipotle locations require at least 15-20 expected participants to approve a fundraiser, though this varies by location. Small groups (10-15 people) should emphasize larger order sizes (families, group meals) when applying. If your group is smaller, consider partnering with another organization or extending the fundraiser window to 2-3 days to meet participation thresholds.
Yes! Most organizations can host 2-4 fundraisers per year at the same Chipotle location. However, locations typically require 60-90 day gaps between events to avoid donor fatigue and ensure fairness to other organizations. Plan your fundraisers strategically around key seasons (back-to-school, sports playoffs, holiday giving) to maximize different supporter bases.
Yes! Chipotle provides a donation receipt or check stub showing the total amount donated to your organization. For 501(c)(3) organizations, this serves as official tax documentation. However, individual supporters cannot claim tax deductions since they receive food/service in exchange for their payment—it's a purchase that benefits your cause, not a charitable donation.
September-November and March-May are peak fundraising months with highest participation. September/October capture back-to-school energy and fall sports. November benefits from holiday giving spirit (pre-Thanksgiving). April/May work well for end-of-year school events and spring sports. Avoid December (too many competing holiday events) and June-August (summer vacations reduce participation).