Kroger Company Foundation Building a Better Future

The Kroger Company Foundation is dedicated to building a better future for its customers and the communities it serves. The foundation focuses on supporting programs that promote healthy eating, sustainable living, and community development.

One of the foundation's key initiatives is the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste program, which aims to end hunger in communities where Kroger operates and eliminate waste in its own operations. This ambitious goal is a testament to the foundation's commitment to making a meaningful impact.

The Kroger Company Foundation has a long history of philanthropy, dating back to 1902 when the company's founder, Bernard Kroger, donated $5,000 to the Cincinnati YMCA. This early act of generosity set the tone for the company's future philanthropic efforts.

Through its foundation, Kroger has donated millions of dollars to support local food banks, schools, and community organizations.

Explore further: Kroger Restock

Kroger has a long-standing commitment to helping its neighbors through the Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Food Rescue program, which donates surplus food to local food banks and agencies.

This program collaborates with organizations like Feeding America and No Kid Hungry to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food.

Kroger also has a Community Rewards program that allows customers to support local nonprofits by linking their shopping cards to the organization of their choice.

In 2023, customers directed over $40 million to eligible nonprofits through this initiative.

The Kroger Co. Foundation focuses its giving on Social & Human Services, with 58% of its grants going to this category.

The foundation also supports Community Development, with 10% of its grants allocated to this area.

Kroger has made grants to organizations like the Black Girl Ventures Foundation, Feeding Children Everywhere, and the Midwest Food Bank NFP.

The Kroger Co. Foundation has a clear set of guidelines for what it does and doesn't support, including not funding organizations that discriminate or those that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits.

The foundation also generally doesn't support individuals, for-profit organizations, or certain types of organizations like fraternal and social veterans' organizations.

The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, established in 2018, directs grants to organizations that share its mission to transform the food system through innovation.

This foundation aims to make a lasting impact on the global food system and supply chain.

Recommended read: Expresspay Kroger

The Kroger Company Foundation offers a wide range of grants and funding opportunities to support local communities and charitable causes.

The foundation awards millions of dollars in grants annually to local nonprofit organizations, with over $37 million provided to local organizations over the past 5 years.

Kroger grants are available to organizations serving the geographic areas where Kroger operates, with currently 35 states eligible for funding.

Eligible applicants include educational organizations, hunger relief organizations, and local grassroots community organizations, among others.

Kroger employees also donate to local causes through the foundation, with approximately $6 million donated during the period from 2008 through 2012.

The foundation provides funding for capital campaigns, start-up grants, and special projects, and also collects donations at check-out stands in stores.

Here's a breakdown of the types of charitable organizations eligible to apply for Kroger grants:

The foundation also offers the Innovation Fund, which provides catalytic capital to pioneers in food security, food waste reduction, and access.

In 2023, the Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation directed $7.4 million in grants to various organizations aligned with its mission, and has cumulatively contributed over $66 million in funding to changemakers nationwide.

The foundation awards grants on a quarterly cycle, with upcoming application deadlines set for April 4, 2025, June 27, 2025, September 19, 2025, and December 5, 2025.

The Kroger Foundation provides funding for a wide range of initiatives, from food rescue and organic waste recycling to community improvement and capacity building.

The foundation's mission is rooted in systemic food change, promoting both immediate and long-term solutions to address widespread hunger and food waste in the US food system.

The Kroger Company Foundation is a nonprofit public charity founded in 2018 to advance philanthropic efforts that align with Kroger's overarching Zero Hunger | Zero Waste impact plan.

Kroger's broader corporate commitment underpins the foundation's efforts by enhancing access to affordable, nutritious food through its grocery business, donations of surplus food, and strategic community partnerships.

Kroger's commitment to giving back is impressive. Kroger's Foundation unlocks economic opportunity for nearly half a million people of various ages and aspirations.

Kroger's unique business model allows them to provide a wide range of job opportunities, from entry-level part-time jobs to corporate functions. This is a testament to their dedication to their communities.

The Kroger Co Foundation has received numerous awards, but what's even more remarkable is the transparency they provide through their Form 990s. These annual filings give the public a glimpse into the foundation's financial information and charitable giving.

Kroger's long-standing collaboration with the USO is a shining example of their commitment to honoring our nation's heroes.

Form 990s provide a wealth of information about a foundation's past awards and recognition.

The Kroger Co Foundation has received numerous awards, but unfortunately, the article doesn't specify what they are.

Form 990s are a US IRS form that provides financial information about nonprofits, including charitable foundations, and is filed annually.

On a similar theme: Kroger Company Information

This information can be a great indicator of a foundation's credibility and commitment to giving.

The article mentions that Form 990s can be used to evaluate an organization, but it doesn't elaborate on how to do that.

Form 990s can show you key information about a foundation's historical giving, such as their past grantees and average grant amounts.

This can be a valuable resource for organizations looking to partner with a foundation that aligns with their values and goals.

Honoring Our Heroes is a testament to Kroger's commitment to giving back to the community. Kroger's long-standing collaboration with the USO is our way of saying thank you to our nation’s active-duty service members and their families.

Kroger remains the largest cumulative donor in the USO's history, a title they've earned through the support of their associates and customers.

At Kroger, they're committed to building impactful careers that reflect the diversity of their communities. They aim to attract, retain, and develop leaders and associates who share their values.

Kroger's unique business model unlocks economic opportunity for nearly half a million people, spanning various ages and aspirations. This includes those seeking entry-level part-time jobs to graduate-degree specialists across corporate functions.

The Kroger Co Foundation offers active opportunities to support career development, such as the Kroger and Always Game Changers Scholarship.

The Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation's financials are publicly available and provide valuable insights into the organization's activities. The total revenues for the foundation are $8,825,113 for the fiscal year ending 2025, a 2.9% increase from the previous year.

The foundation's revenues are primarily generated from total grants, contributions, and investment income, which accounted for 92% of the total revenues in 2025. Investment income and dividends specifically saw a 3.8% increase from 2024 to 2025.

Here's a breakdown of the foundation's revenues for 2025:

The foundation's financial information is publicly available through its Form 990 filings with the IRS, providing a transparent look at its activities and financial performance.

The Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation's financials show a steady increase in revenue. In FYE 01/2025, the foundation reported $8,825,113 in total revenues.

The foundation's revenue growth can be attributed to a 2.8% increase in total grants, contributions, and other revenues, which reached $8,182,318 in FYE 01/2025. This is up from $7,958,030 in the previous year.

Investment income and dividends also saw a significant increase, rising by 3.8% to $642,795 in FYE 01/2025.

Here's a breakdown of the foundation's revenues:

The Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste Foundation provides its financial information through Form 990s, which are publicly available. The foundation has filed these forms for several years, with the most recent one being for the fiscal year ending 2025-01.

Here are some key dates related to the foundation's Form 990s:

The foundation's Form 990s are available for viewing as PDF links, allowing anyone to access the financial information.