The Lake Geneva Restaurant Week Charity Check program is a unique opportunity for local non-profit organizations to increase awareness of their mission and potentially receive a cash donation of $2,500.
From April 18 through April 26, 2026, Lake Geneva Restaurant Week will attract thousands of residents and visitors to take advantage of exclusive menus and offers at dozens of participating restaurants. Guests dining in or getting takeout meals will receive a Charity Check Ballot to vote for a charity to win one of four cash donations. The four organizations receiving the most votes at the conclusion of Restaurant Week will receive a $2,500 donation from our Charity Check Sponsor, Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
Throughout Restaurant Week, participating charities will be featured on the event website and VISIT Lake Geneva social media channels to highlight their stories and raise awareness of their social impact and charitable efforts. Links to the organizations’ websites and donation pages will also be included.
Participating organizations are also encouraged to promote Lake Geneva Restaurant Week through their own resources such as newsletters and social media channels to motivate volunteers, staff, members, and supporters to dine out (or take out) during Restaurant Week… and vote!
2026 CHARITY CHECK APPLICANT GUIDELINES
As the 2026 Lake Geneva Restaurant Week Charity Check Sponsor, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will make all donations to the winning organizations directly. As such, Tito’s reserves the right to apply eligibility guidelines to organizations applying to participate in the Charity Check program. Please review the guidelines below to ensure your eligibility before submitting your application.
- Charity must be a 501c3.
- Charity must file a Form 990, 990 EZ, or 990N with the IRS and be able to provide an updated form from 2022 or more recently.
- Charities not eligible for donation include:
- Organizations whose primary focus is a religious doctrine rather than nonreligious education or providing social welfare (unless they are providing a service such as a food pantry or shelter).
- Entities with political affiliations, who endorse political candidates, or where governmental policy is the primary focus of the organization.
- Events involving the sponsorship or viewing of questionable animal welfare practices (examples: shark fishing and horse racing).
- Organizations that regularly are in the news with surrounding controversy.
- Sponsoring a specific amateur sports team, athlete, or musician. We can support an event they are having, but not a general sponsorship. This includes logos on uniforms or team jerseys.
- Foundations associated with individuals (athletes, celebrities, etc.) who have been accused of legal or criminal charges, including but not limited to, accusations of child abuse, domestic violence, sexual harassment, or animal cruelty.
- Sponsoring a charity that includes activities that could be perceived as unsafe to do while consuming alcohol, i.e. drive-in concerts, motorcycle rides, driving race cars, etc.
- Sponsoring a charity where the primary focus is hunting and/or shooting, i.e. clay shooting.
- Financials – At Love, Tito’s we strive to support as many charitable organizations as we can across the country, continuing to give back in more impactful ways and to keep spreading the love more and more. While doing so we aim to support those organizations that put back 80% and above to their programs and services. This number can be found on Page 10 of your Form 990 by dividing Column B vs Column A.
The information provided above is a guideline from Tito’s Handmade Vodka but is not limited. If denied, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will provide reasoning upon request.
HOW TO APPLY
Non-profits interested in participating in the Charity Check program must submit an application for review. Please review the qualifications above before submitting your application. The deadline to submit an application is April 1, 2026. All applications are subject to review by VISIT Lake Geneva and Tito’s to ensure eligibility before placement on the Charity Check Ballot. Please note that any charity that receives an award during this year's Restaurant Week will not be eligible to apply during Lake Geneva Restaurant Week 2027.
Click the image below to apply online.
Apply by April 1, 2026
Click HERE for a fillable PDF of the application.
Questions regarding the Charity Check program may be directed to Brie Pacey, Events Manager, at (262) 812-0023 or EMAIL.