Conference
1-day hosted annually in May in Atlanta
What is the purpose of the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator?
Chick-fil-A is committed to strengthening the cities and neighborhoods we serve. That is why we launched the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator – a program designed to help nonprofit organizations take their support of children, families, and neighborhoods to the next level. By providing training, support, and resources – and fostering connections with fellow nonprofit leaders, social entrepreneurs, and change makers – Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator helps nonprofit organizations have a greater long-term impact on children and contribute to the overall empowerment of our communities.
What are the requirements to participate in the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator conference?
We welcome any 501(c)(3) organization leader to attend the conference. Limited in-person access to the conference is open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where is the one-day conference event?
The conference event will take place at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta Hotel. You must be pre-registered to attend. There will be no virtual attendance.
When is the next Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator conference event?
May 13, 2025, 8:00am to 3:45pm
What is the difference between the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator Conference vs. the 12-month Cohort Program?
The conference is a one-day event typically in May that brings hundreds of nonprofit organizations together, with expert main stage speakers and breakout workshop sessions covering topics such as strategic marketing (social media marketing and marketing for nonprofits), organizational growth, innovation in programming, financial planning and analysis, leadership, telling your story, and much more. The cohort program spans the remainder of the year from May to May of the next year and is an additional grant to 15 nonprofit leaders from 15 nonprofit organizations accepted into the program.
What is the cost to participate in the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator?
Chick-fil-A covers the cost for the one-day conference event, valued at over $1000, but participants are required to make arrangements for their own accommodations and travel. We encourage in-person attendance to network with other nonprofit leaders. Register early as there is a limit to in-person registration.
The 12-month cohort program is made available through a grant from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to accepted applicants. Chick-fil-A provides funding to every cohort member that covers the 12-month training program, a 3-day retreat, and $15,000 in a direct grant to cover travel expenses and general operating support for the nonprofit organization.
Cohort
12-month leadership development program spanning into the next year.
What are the requirements for participating in the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator Cohort Program?
The Impact Accelerator Cohort Program is provided through a grant from Chick-fil-A, Inc. Application is open to founders or executive directors of 501c3 nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets ranging from $200,000 to $1.5 million focused on addressing needs that align with Chick-fil-A's corporate social responsibility impact pillars: caring for people, caring for communities, caring through food, and caring for the planet.
How much of my time is required to participate in the cohort program?
If selected to participate in the Accelerator, members must commit to all sessions. This includes an in-person kick-off session on May 14th and 3-day retreat Sept. 29th to Oct. 1st, along with 9 monthly half day sessions over Zoom. The cohort program spans from May of the current year to May of the following year.
Does the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator guarantee funding?
No, funding is not guaranteed from Chick-fil-A or any of the program partners.
What is the deadline to submit application to the year-long cohort program?
March 2, 2025
When will I know if my nonprofit is selected or not selected?
Cohort program awardees will be announced on April 14, 2025 before the conference event so awardees can plan and make travel arrangements to attend the conference and cohort program kickoff May 13 - 14, 2025.
If my nonprofit has received or continues to receive funding from Chick-fil-A, can we participate?
Yes, we encourage nonprofit organizations to grow and scale further. If your organization and leader was previously awarded into the Impact Accelerator Cohort Program, we ask that another leader apply after 3 years.
How long does the cohort program last?
12 months, starting in May of the current year until May of the following year.
Can Chick-fil-A Owners-Operators encourage a nonprofit to apply?
We encourage Chick-fil-A Owner/Operators to share the Impact Accelerator program with nonprofit organizations they partner with, by encouraging them to attend the conference and apply to the cohort program.
I've participated in the Plywood Process before. What is the difference between the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator Cohort Program and Plywood Process? Will this cohort program still be helpful for me?
If it’s been more than four years since you’ve participated in the Plywood Process, we’ve added new content, new advisors, and new mentor voices, so the experience still has the potential to inspire and strengthen your work. If you’ve participated in a part of the Plywood Process more recently but have a new challenge or program idea you would like to work on through the Plywood Process framework, you’re not disqualified from applying.
The Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator Program is enhanced with topics and content based on feedback from nonprofit organizations that have partnered with Chick-fil-A Corporate Social Responsibility and Community Affairs. New topics and content have been developed based on needs and requests gathered from nonprofit organizations and will be custom added to the Plywood Foundations and Layers phases proprietary to the Chick-fil-A Impact Accelerator Program. Coaching, expert advisors, and potential pro bono service partnerships community during these phases of the program are also provided through Chick-fil-A, Inc. connections.