Dine Downtown Seeks Nonprofit Partner to Receive $1 Donation from Every Meal Sold During 2026 Program
Nonprofit applications are being accepted now through November 23 to partner with Sacramento’s annual restaurant week that helps to enhance the downtown experience.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (November 4, 2025) Downtown Sacramento Partnership and its sister organization, Downtown Sacramento Foundation, are thrilled to announce a call for qualifications from local nonprofits interested in becoming the charitable partner for the upcoming 2026 Dine Downtown program. From January 9 to January 18, 2026, the 10-day culinary celebration brings together Sacramento’s top restaurants to offer special 3-course meals for $45. For each meal purchased, $1 will be donated to the selected nonprofit, supporting vital causes impacting Sacramento’s urban core.
“Our incredible restaurants and talented chefs are an integral part of the culture of downtown Sacramento and their contribution to the vibrancy of the city cannot be overstated,” said Michael Ault, Executive Director of Downtown Sacramento Partnership. “Dine Downtown is an important tradition that introduces our unmatched culinary creativity to new guests, uplifts the restaurant community during a relatively slow time for the industry, and gives back to a community partner whose work aligns with our shared vision of a safe, engaging, and prosperous downtown.”
Dine Downtown’s charitable component has grown over time, and the nonprofit partner rotates each year. In January 2025, more than 13,500 meals were sold as part of the Dine Downtown program, resulting in thousands of dollars donated to support a worthwhile local nonprofit.
For 2026, a nonprofit partner will be selected based on alignment and focus on these issues critical to downtown Sacramento, including:
- Farm-to-fork initiatives and downtown restaurant support
- Downtown arts and cultural activations and events
- Small business assistance
- Access to healthy food for those in need
Nonprofit Partnership Opportunity
Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with the goals of Downtown Sacramento Foundation and potential impact for the community:
Downtown Sacramento Foundation, the 501(c)(3) under Downtown Sacramento Partnership, is dedicated to fostering civic pride through the improvement of the social and physical environment of Downtown. Applying organizations should be designated as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and have a mission and vision that align with Downtown Sacramento Foundation’s vision of fueling innovation in the downtown core through cultural arts, creating an active and attractive community, and providing assistance for those in need.
The nonprofit partner proposal deadline is November 23, 2025. Submissions will be accepted in PDF format and should be sent to alafrance@downtownsac.org. After a selection process, the nonprofit partner for the 2026 Dine Downtown will be announced in mid-December.
Full proposal guidelines are available here. For more information about Downtown Sacramento Partnership in general, please visit: www.downtownsac.org.