Chicago Bears – Donation Request Program (2026)

In-Kind Donations for Illinois Nonprofits and Charitable Fundraising Events

The Chicago Bears accept donation requests from eligible nonprofit organizations in Illinois and the Chicago area seeking in-kind support for charitable events and fundraising activities.

Organizations must hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and submit requests at least six weeks before the donation item is needed. Eligible organizations may receive only one donation item from the Bears per calendar year.

The Bears receive thousands of charitable requests each year, so submitting an application does not guarantee support.

Organization: Chicago Bears
Support Type: In-kind charitable donation items
Geographic Focus: Illinois and the Chicago area
Eligible Applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Application Timeline: Rolling
Required Lead Time: At least 6 weeks
Request Limit: One donation item per organization per calendar year

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

The Chicago Bears are a National Football League team with a significant philanthropic and community presence throughout Chicago and Illinois.

Through the Chicago Bears organization and Bears Care, the team’s charitable arm, the Bears support nonprofits and community initiatives through charitable donations, grants, volunteerism, youth programs, health and wellness efforts, education initiatives, and other forms of community investment.

The Donation Request Program provides eligible nonprofit organizations with in-kind items that can complement established charitable events and fundraising activities.

What This Program Provides

The Chicago Bears provide donation items to qualifying nonprofit organizations.

The team does not publish a standard list of items or guaranteed donation value. The specific item provided depends on availability and the Bears’ review of each request.

Organizations should view a Bears donation as an additional element of an established fundraiser rather than the central component of the event.

The team specifically recommends that organizations not plan an event around the expectation of receiving a Bears donation.

Eligible Organizations

Organizations must meet all of the following requirements:

• Hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Provide a valid Tax Exempt ID number
• Be located in Illinois or within the Chicago area
• Submit a complete online application
• Apply at least six weeks before the item is needed
• Not have already received a Bears donation during the current calendar year

If a business is organizing or sponsoring an event benefiting a nonprofit, a representative of the benefiting nonprofit organization should submit the request.

Geographic Focus

The Bears state that organizations must be located:

In the state of Illinois or within the Chicago area

This makes the program particularly relevant to nonprofits throughout Illinois, with an especially natural connection to organizations serving Chicago and surrounding communities.

Applicants should clearly identify their location and the Illinois communities benefiting from the fundraiser or charitable activity.

Community Priorities

The Chicago Bears’ broader community investment strategy centers on five primary areas:

Education

Programs helping children and young people access educational opportunities, academic support, enrichment, mentorship, and pathways to future success.

Health & Wellness

Organizations improving physical and mental health, promoting healthy lifestyles, supporting access to wellness resources, and strengthening community wellbeing.

Military

Programs supporting active-duty service members, veterans, military families, and military-connected communities.

Social Justice

Organizations working to create greater opportunity, equity, safety, and positive change within communities.

Youth & High School Football

Programs expanding access to football, developing young athletes, supporting coaches, strengthening youth sports, and creating opportunities through tackle and flag football.

Organizations do not necessarily need to fall exclusively within one of these categories to submit an in-kind donation request, but demonstrating alignment with the Bears’ broader community priorities may help establish a natural connection.

Request Limit

Organizations are eligible to receive:

One Chicago Bears donation item per calendar year

Nonprofits hosting multiple fundraisers should therefore consider which event represents the strongest opportunity for Bears support before submitting a request.

Required Lead Time

📅 Minimum Lead Time: 6 weeks before the item is needed

Requests must be received by the Bears at least six weeks before the date the organization needs the donation.

The Bears state that requests submitted with less than six weeks’ notice may not be fulfilled.

Donation items are typically sent approximately four weeks before the date they are needed.

Organizations should submit early whenever possible.

Game Tickets Are Not Available

The Chicago Bears do not provide game tickets through this donation request program.

Organizations specifically seeking game tickets should not submit a donation-item request expecting tickets to be provided.

Do Not Send Items for Autographs

The Bears do not accept personal merchandise mailed or dropped off for signatures from:

• Players
• Coaches

Organizations should not send footballs, jerseys, photographs, helmets, or other merchandise to Bears facilities in hopes of having them autographed.

Applicants should instead use the formal donation request process and allow the Bears to determine what item, if any, can be provided.

Monetary Donations Are Also Available

Organizations seeking financial support rather than an in-kind item may also consider the Chicago Bears’ separate Community Investment / Monetary Donation Request process.

Monetary requests have different requirements.

Key requirements include:

• Applicant must hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Organization must be located in Illinois or the Chicago area
• Requests must be submitted at least eight weeks in advance
• Applicant must provide a W-9
• Applicant must upload its 501(c)(3) determination letter
• Organizations may receive only one monetary donation during the calendar year

The Bears do not publish standard financial contribution amounts.

Monetary Donation Guidelines:

➡️ https://www.chicagobears.com/community/monetary-donation-guidelines

Community Investment Request Form:

➡️ https://www.chicagobears.com/forms/community-investments

Application Timeline

📅 Application Timeline: Rolling / ongoing
📅 In-Kind Donation Lead Time: At least 6 weeks
📅 Typical Donation Shipment: Approximately 4 weeks before item is needed
📅 Monetary Request Lead Time: At least 8 weeks
📅 In-Kind Request Limit: One donation item per calendar year

Because the Bears receive a significant number of requests each month, organizations should submit as early as possible.

Submitting an application does not guarantee approval.

Application / Request Process

All donation-item requests must be submitted online.

The Bears do not accept donation requests by phone or in writing.

Applicants should complete the form fully and provide a valid Tax Exempt ID number.

Donation Guidelines:

➡️ https://www.chicagobears.com/community/donation-guidelines

Direct Donation Request Form:

➡️ https://www.chicagobears.com/community/donation-request-form

Chicago Bears Community Programs:

➡️ https://www.chicagobears.com/community/

Bears Care:

➡️ https://www.chicagobears.com/community/bears-care

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

• Hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Are located in Illinois or the Chicago area
• Are planning a charitable fundraising event
• Can apply at least six weeks in advance
• Can benefit from an in-kind donation item
• Have not already received a Bears donation during the current calendar year
• Serve communities aligned with the Bears’ broader interests in education, health and wellness, military support, social justice, or youth football

Organizations should avoid treating a Bears donation as the centerpiece of their fundraising strategy.

Instead, identify an established event or charitable initiative where an in-kind Bears item can add value and help generate additional support for the organization’s mission.

Organizations seeking cash rather than an in-kind item should use the Bears’ separate monetary donation application, which requires at least eight weeks’ advance notice.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Support Type: In-kind donation items
Application Timeline: Rolling
Minimum Lead Time: 6 weeks
Geographic Focus: Illinois and the Chicago area
Eligible Applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Request Limit: One donation item per organization per calendar year
Typical Fulfillment: Items generally sent approximately 4 weeks before needed
Game Tickets: Not available
Personal Items for Autographs: Not accepted
Separate Cash Opportunity: Monetary donation requests are available through a separate application with an 8-week lead time
Best Suited For: Illinois nonprofits seeking an in-kind contribution to complement a charitable fundraiser or community event
Key Strategy: Apply early, select the strongest event for your one annual request, and clearly demonstrate the charitable impact of the organization and event.