• by Teresa Buyikian , March 19, 2024

The Panera Bread Foundation today announced the nonprofit recipients of $2.25 million in 2024 grant awards.

A total of 30 organizations will receive part of the $2.25 million grant,  all of which provide support to at-risk, underserved or historically underrepresented children across the U.S.

“Our guest donations have enabled us to increase our total grant funding each year," said Debbie Roberts, COO of Panera Bread, and board president for the Panera Bread Foundation.

The Foundatio, is Panera’s 501c3 nonprofit. The organization also runs the chain’s Give Change for Children round-up program, where customers are asked to “round-up” their check totals, with the overage to the nearest dollar  donated to the foundation. Customers can round-up in-store, at the drive-thru, kiosks and through web or app ordering.

The 2024 grant recipients include organizations that provide and support college readiness training, STEAM programs (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics); career readiness, community job placement, afterschool and summer programs and one-to-one mentoring, among others.

A few of the nonprofits helped include several regional Big Brother Big Sister organizations, the Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics, Foundation for a College Education, College Visions, GirlForward, Oasis – A Haven for Women and Children, Life Pieces To Masterpieces and STEM Paths Innovation.

The foundation accepts applications from potential grant recipients yearly via its website found here.