The National Restaurant Fundraiser is now the Make A Difference Campaign. This exciting shift aligns with the Foundation’s expanded mission, as well as Arby’s brand values.

Since 2012, our fundraiser has grown by 88 percent – an average of 13.5 percent per year. And just last year, we raised more than $5 million – the largest amount to date. This is a tremendous point of pride for the entire Arby’s organization, and we at the Foundation feel the same way.

We look to continue this growth by asking “What if?” and recognizing the Foundation’s ability to better support the efforts of the more than 3,400 Arby’s restaurants.

Here’s what you need to know about the new Make a Difference Campaign

The Name

For years, the National Restaurant Fundraiser has gone well beyond mere “fundraising.” It’s not just about collecting money – it’s about investing in the local communities we serve across the country to make a real, tangible difference.

Every time a team member asks a guest for a $1 donation, they’re making a difference – whether the guest donates or not. Every ask raises awareness for our cause. Every ask says Arby’s cares. Every ask is an invitation for our guests to help us better our communities. Every ask is an opportunity to Make A Difference.

Local Grants

Several years ago, we committed to keeping 50 cents of every dollar in the state where the money was raised. We’re furthering that commitment to give back locally with the launch of the Make A Difference Campaign. Starting this fall, we’re giving local operational leadership the ability to make grant requests on behalf of nonprofits in their own communities. The amount available for local grants will be directly tied to the dollars raised during the campaign.

The Ask

Team members at the registers will ask our guests, “Would you like to donate a $1 to Make A Difference for America’s kids?” This new ask accomplishes two important goals. First, it reminds team members of our core values and ties the ask to its greater purpose. Second, it allows our local grants program to expand in a way that our previous ask for $1 to end childhood hunger never could. Now, our local operators will be able to propose a broader set of youth-focused organizations for grants – spanning sports, arts, mentoring, and education as well as hunger relief.

Our Partners

During the campaign, we’ll be proudly displaying three logos across all our restaurants: No Kid Hungry, Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters. We’re partnering with these impactful, highly regarded organizations at a national level and encourage you to support them locally as well.

Our partnership with No Kid Hungry dates back to 2011 and remains strong. By expanding our partner program to also include Junior Achievement and Big Brothers Big Sisters, we’re able to have greater impact on a child’s wellbeing by addressing youth leadership and career readiness in addition to childhood hunger.

Together, through the Make A Difference Campaign, we will help transform communities across America for the better.

Thank you for your commitment to Make A Difference… one ask and $1 at a time.

The Make A Difference Campaign kicks off September 10 and runs through October 7.