Benihana Donation Request: Gift Certificates for Auctions and How to Ask (2026 Guide)

Benihana donates restaurant gift certificates to a limited number of 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and it takes requests only by mail. Send a letter on your organization's letterhead to Benihana's public relations team in Aventura, Florida, with your IRS determination letter and proof of your federal tax ID enclosed. Benihana doesn't accept requests by phone or email, and it asks you to allow four weeks for a reply. About 22% of Benihana donation requests tracked on TheShareWay succeed, and the donation is typically a $20 gift certificate. Read the rules on Benihana's donation policy page and track your request on Benihana's TheShareWay page.

What are your odds?

Figures as of October 2026, from applications tracked on TheShareWay.

About 22% of Benihana donation requests tracked on TheShareWay succeed. Outright declines are uncommon, and most requests that don't succeed simply never get a reply. Demand is steady: nonprofits logged 139 Benihana requests on TheShareWay in the last 12 months.

What Benihana donates

Benihana gives restaurant gift certificates, and that is the whole program. Its policy says it doesn't donate food or samples for fundraisers and doesn't give in exchange for advertising. Benihana doesn't publish an amount, but nearly every Benihana donation tracked on TheShareWay is a $20 gift certificate, mailed to the nonprofit.

Who can request a Benihana donation

• 501(c)(3) nonprofits with proof. You need a copy of your current IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter. Our guide to the 501(c)(3) determination letter explains where to find it.
• Raising money for a nonprofit. Your letter has to confirm the certificate will be used to raise funds for a nonprofit.
• Schools must confirm the donation is for educational purposes only.
• Not eligible: individuals seeking aid, sports teams or leagues, conferences, seminars or reunions, and travel for individuals or groups.

Benihana has been owned by The ONE Group Hospitality since May 2024. Its donation policy still directs requests to Benihana Inc. in Aventura, and nonprofits on TheShareWay logged approvals through the fall of 2026.

How to send a Benihana donation request

1. Mail early. Benihana sets no minimum notice, but approved Benihana requests on TheShareWay were mailed a median of 81 days before the event. Aim for about three months.
2. Write your letter on letterhead. Benihana's policy says incomplete requests aren't considered, so include everything it asks for:
   • background on your program and the date of your event
   • confirmation that the gift certificate will raise funds for a nonprofit
   • your organization's record of community advocacy
   • contact name, address, phone and email
   • for schools, confirmation that the donation is for educational purposes only TheShareWay's donation request letter template is a good starting point.
3. Enclose your paperwork: a copy of your current IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter and proof of your federal tax ID number.
4. Mail it to: Benihana Inc., ATTN: Public Relations, 21500 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 900, Aventura, FL 33180.
5. Log the request on Benihana's TheShareWay page so you remember when you mailed it.

After you mail it

Benihana asks for four weeks, but plan for longer. Across 1,442 tracked applications on TheShareWay, Benihana responds to donation requests in a median of 42 days. Approved certificates arrive by mail. Nonprofits reviewing Benihana on TheShareWay mostly describe a simple process: they mailed a letter and a gift card came back in the mail.

Because Benihana doesn't take requests by phone or email, a letter that goes unanswered as your event approaches is usually a no. Put that time into your next ask instead. If you are approved, a thank-you letter makes it easier to ask again next year.

Using a Benihana gift certificate in your auction

Benihana's gift certificate is meant to raise money for a nonprofit, so silent auctions and raffles are a natural fit, and its policy doesn't exclude any event format beyond the list above. On its own a $20 certificate is a small prize, so bundle it into a dinner-themed basket. Our 50 creative silent auction basket ideas and raffle basket ideas with 87 donation request links show how, online donation requests for silent auctions lists faster asks to fill out the basket, and a silent auction bid sheet helps you display it.

If Benihana isn't an option

If your event is too soon for a mailed request or you need more restaurant prizes, these donors approve more often:

• Black Bear Diner, mostly in the West and Texas, donates certificates and merchandise, and about 59% of requests succeed.
• Raising Cane's, in more than half the states, donates food, gift cards and merchandise, and about 56% of requests succeed.
• Abuelo's, in Texas, Arizona, Florida and five other states, donates $20 VIP gift cards, and about 51% of requests succeed.
• In-N-Out, in the West, Texas and Tennessee, donates gift certificates and merchandise, and about 45% of requests succeed.

Benihana's sister restaurant RA Sushi also takes mailed requests. For wine and dining prizes, read the Cooper's Hawk donation request guide, and for longer lists see restaurants that donate gift cards for fundraisers and 20+ restaurant donation request links.

How TheShareWay helps with your Benihana request

Benihana's page on TheShareWay keeps the mailing address, letter requirements and outcome data in one place, and lets you track this request next to every other ask for your event. To fill out the rest of your auction, browse popular in-kind donors by state or city.