Employee-nominated grants support local nonprofits expanding opportunity and strengthening communities.
PURCHASE, N.Y., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The PepsiCo Foundation today announced the recipients of its 2026 Community Impact Awards, recognizing 100 nonprofit organizations across the United States and Canada with $500,000 USD in grants to help advance their missions and expand opportunity. Nominated by PepsiCo associates who know their work firsthand, the organizations are helping address some of the most pressing needs in their communities, from expanding access to food and safe water to creating pathways to employment and supporting farming livelihoods.
Now in its fifth year, the Community Impact Awards put local perspective at the center of community investment. PepsiCo associates nominate nonprofit organizations they know and trust, helping identify organizations that are making a meaningful difference every day. Since launching in 2022, the program has invested more than $3.7 million USD in community grants across North America.
Each recipient organization will receive a $5,000 USD grant to support its mission and continue serving its community.
“Across North America, there are organizations showing up every day for their communities, often without recognition and with limited resources,” said Monica Bauer, SVP, Social Impact, PepsiCo, and President of the PepsiCo Foundation. “The Community Impact Awards help shine a light on organizations that are creating opportunities, solving local challenges and making a real difference in people’s lives. What makes this program special is that the recognition comes from PepsiCo associates who know these organizations firsthand and have seen their impact up close.”
Local Organizations, Community-Led Solutions
The 2026 recipients reflect the power of local organizations to respond to the unique needs of their communities. Whether serving families, supporting young people, strengthening local economies or creating new opportunities, these organizations are helping improve lives in meaningful and lasting ways.
From Hunger Resource Network in Northbrook, Illinois, which will use its grant to help provide more than 22,000 meals across the Chicago area, to Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center in Westchester County, New York, which advances sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship and community education, this year’s recipients demonstrate how locally rooted organizations are turning community knowledge into action. Each organization was nominated by a PepsiCo associate with a personal connection to its work, whether through volunteering, community involvement or firsthand experience.
“I’ve always admired the Hunger Resource Network’s approach to address food insecurity across the Chicago area, which is why I wanted to nominate them,” said Matthew Hester, Finance Sr. Director at PepsiCo. “I really appreciate having the opportunity through the Community Impact Awards to further support organizations that are doing important work in our local community.”
The Community Impact Awards extend beyond grant funding. By Spring 2027, each recipient will work with the PepsiCo associate who nominated them on a volunteer activity aligned to the nonprofit’s mission and community needs, turning recognition into continued action and engagement.
Behind each of the 100 awards is an organization working to solve a problem, create an opportunity or meet a need in its community. Together, this year’s recipients reflect the impact that local leadership can have when people step up for their neighbors, and the powerful role community organizations play in helping communities thrive.
2026 PepsiCo Foundation Community Impact Awards Recipients
United States
- 360 Communities
- 4Roots Foundation, Inc.
- A New Day Foundation Inc
- Abilityfirst
- Alliance For Children
- Any Step Community Services
- Be A Little Too Kind
- Better Way New York Inc.
- Beyond the Ball NFP
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana Inc
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana Inc
- Big Brothers-Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
- Bonton Enterprises
- Boys and Girls Club of Benton County
- Boys and Girls Clubs in Texas
- Bread of Life Food Pantry – Lake Oconee Lutheran Church
- Brighter Days
- Broadway Community, Inc
- Capital IDEA Houston
- Center on Halsted
- Change Course
- Chicago Youth Centers
- Claremont Neighborhood Center
- CLiCK
- Clifton Education Foundation, Inc.
- Denmark Community Cupboard
- District Alliance for Safe Housing
- Elmwood Neighborhood Farm
- Emma’s Torch
- Empower the Voice
- Every Day Action
- Feed My Starving Children
- Florence-Firestone Community Organization
- Food Lifeline
- FoodSphere Inc
- Future Founders
- Generations Grow Network Inc.
- Grace at the Green Light
- Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank Inc
- Harlem Grown, Inc.
- Hawkeye Area Community Action Program Inc
- Hendrick Scholarship Foundation
- Hope for the Cities
- Hunger Resource Network
- Idaho Foodbank Warehouse, d.b.a. The Idaho Foodbank
- Interfaith Food Pantry, Inc.
- Jobs for America’s Graduates
- Junior Achievement of Chicago
- Junior Achievement of Dallas Inc
- Kitsap Community and Agricultural Alliance
- LA’s BEST
- Ladies of Virtue
- Matthew 25
- McKinney Little Free Pantry – Sanchez Charities
- Meals for Unity
- Minds Matter NYC
- My New House
- Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors
- Neptune Middle School
- New Friends New Life
- Pitney Meadows Community Farm
- Plate and Pathways
- Prairie Fire Foundation
- Project 150
- Project Cultivate LLC
- Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC
- Second Helpings Inc
- Sloatsburg Food Pantry
- Soundwaters Inc
- St. Vincent de Paul Society Food Pantry
- Tackle Hunger
- The Concilio
- The Friends of Hilltop Hanover Farm and Environmental Center Inc
- The Friendship Center
- The Nashville Food Project (TNFP)
- The Salvation Army
- The Table Community Foundation
- Three Square
- Together We Thrive
- Train Up a Child NOLA
- United Way of Central KY
- United Way of Tri-County
- United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Inc.
- Water Is Basic
- Weissman Children’s Foundation
- YMCA of Central Florida
- Young Mens Christian Association of Rome and Floyd County GA Inc.
- YWCA Central Maine
Canada
- Ducks Unlimited Canada
- Halton Down Syndrome Association
- Hamilton Out of the Cold
- Kamloops Food Bank Society
- Kawartha Food Share
- Kings County Family Resource Centre
- La Bouchée Généreuse
- Lethbridge Food Bank Society
- The Harris Brand Foundation
- The Local Community Food Centre
- Y.E.S.S.: Youth Emergency Shelter Society of Edmonton
About the PepsiCo Foundation
The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, works to support positive change for people and the planet by expanding access to essential resources that help meet immediate needs and unlock pathways to opportunity. Guided by PepsiCo Positive (pep+), our philanthropic investments focus on four key areas: food access, safe water access, farming, and workforce development. Through collaboration with nonprofits, community organizations and global partners, the Foundation works to strengthen food systems, support farmers, expand access to nutritious food and safe water, and advance workforce development to build lasting economic resilience. Learn more at www.pepsicofoundation.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Ghilianie Soto
201.618.4959
Ghilianie.soto@pepsico.com
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SOURCE PepsiCo, Inc.
