Panda Cares – Community Giving & Grant Program

Charitable Support for Children’s Health, Education & Disaster Relief

Panda Cares, the philanthropic arm of Panda Express, provides charitable grants and in-kind support to nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of children and families. Panda Cares focuses on children’s health, education, and disaster relief, with an emphasis on communities where Panda Express operates.

Organization: Panda Cares (Panda Express)
Support Type: Charitable grants and in-kind support
Geographic Focus: United States, with priority for communities served by Panda Express

About the Funder

Founded in 1999, Panda Cares reflects Panda Express’s commitment to giving back and supporting thriving communities. Through long-term partnerships and responsive grantmaking, Panda Cares invests in organizations that address critical needs and create meaningful, lasting impact for children and families.

What This Program Supports

Panda Cares prioritizes funding for nonprofit organizations and initiatives focused on:

Children’s Health

• Pediatric healthcare and hospital programs
• Mental and behavioral health services for children
• Programs that improve health outcomes for underserved youth

Education

• K–12 education initiatives
• Youth development and enrichment programs
• Access to learning opportunities for children and families

Disaster Relief

• Emergency response and recovery efforts
• Support for communities impacted by natural disasters

Support may include financial grants, in-kind donations, or cause-related partnerships, depending on alignment and need.

Eligibility & Requirements

To be considered for support, organizations must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Serve communities where Panda Express operates
• Align clearly with one or more Panda Cares focus areas
• Submit requests through the Panda Cares online application process

Ineligible Requests

While specific exclusions may apply, Panda Cares generally does not support:

• Donations to individuals
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• Requests without a clear charitable purpose or community benefit

Funding Amounts

💰 Grant Size: Panda Cares does not publish standard award amounts
Funding levels vary based on:

• Program scope and impact
• Alignment with Panda Cares priorities
• Available funding

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Timeline: Rolling
📅 Review Process: Requests reviewed periodically throughout the year

Applicants are encouraged to submit requests well in advance of program start dates or funding needs.

Application / Request Process

All requests must be submitted through Panda Cares’ online application portal.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.pandacares.org/apply-for-help

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

• Serve children and families
• Focus on health, education, or disaster response
• Operate in communities with a Panda Express presence
• Are seeking corporate charitable support rather than traditional foundation grants

Panda Cares’ Community Giving Program is best suited for nonprofits creating positive outcomes for children and families across the U.S.