The Grubhub Community Fund’s Full Plate Program Offering $1 Million in Microgrants to Support 200 Nonprofits in Chicago and NYC

Grubhub is proud to expand the Full Plate Program, powered by the Grubhub Community Fund, to support nonprofit organizations in Chicago and New York City that provide access to food and meal services. Now in its third year, the program continues to drive collective action to help close the hunger gap in both cities. Eligible organizations in each market will receive microgrants of $5,000 each, with a goal of distributing $1 million in total funding to 200 nonprofit organizations through the Grubhub Community Fund.

This year, the program will be administered in partnership with the Food Bank For New York City and the Greater Chicago Food Depository, supporting their networks of organizations that address food insecurity across the five boroughs of New York City and Chicagoland. Funding will help nonprofits procure and distribute food and meals, as well as strengthen operational capacity to meet growing demand - a need reflected in recent national data showing that more than one in six U.S. adults (17.6%) reported receiving charitable food in 2024.*

The Full Plate Program will prioritize high-need communities in both cities, including those largely impacted by changes to the SNAP program and food deserts with low access to healthy food options. Priority will be given to pantries and soup kitchens serving vulnerable populations and those in neighborhoods experiencing increased need.

To ensure timely support, organizations will be notified of their eligibility by the Food Bank For New York City and Greater Chicago Food Depository. The program will be administered directly by our partners, enabling real-time response to critical needs.

Eligibility for each market includes:

• Chicago: Eligible Chicago-based nonprofit organizations that partner with the Greater Chicago Food Depository will be invited to apply for a $5,000 microgrant. Greater Chicago Food Depository partners eligible to apply include soup kitchens or food pantries open to the general public. They must be in good partner standing with Greater Chicago Food Depository and have been open and operational for the last six months. The selection process will prioritize partners based on SNAP participation rates, poverty rates, and unemployment rates in their community.
• NYC: Eligible NYC-based nonprofit organizations will be recommended by the Food Bank For New York City to receive a $5,000 microgrant. The Food Bank For New York City will prioritize selecting soup kitchens or food pantries open to the general public in areas with high supply gaps and those serving vulnerable populations, including communities with a high number of individuals with diet-related diseases. They must be in good standing with the Food Bank For New York City.

Microgrants will support more than 200 organizations across both cities, and approved recipients will be announced in February 2026.

Grubhub remains committed to supporting local, community-driven programs that provide nutritious food to individuals and families in need. We're grateful to Food Bank For New York City and Greater Chicago Food Depository for helping make this initiative possible.

*Urban Institute's Households Faced Persistent Challenges Affording Food in 2024 report, published in March 2025