• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

The Taco Bell Foundation’s annual community grants program has reached its highest dollar amount to date.

The 501 (c)(3) public charity will award $28 million in grants to approximately 500 nonprofit organizations across the U.S. this year, an increase of $5 million from 2024. Recipients include “mission-aligned nonprofits (with) programs that empower youth to overcome barriers and thrive in careers they love.”

"We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future," says Lisa Lane Cardin, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation. "It's an honor to partner with these 500 nonprofit partners as they create real, lasting impact in the communities our fans, Team Members and franchisees call home.”

The nonprofit attributes the grant increase to Taco Bell customers’ spare change, used for rounding up their check at the register or online. This year’s round-up campaign resulted in raising over $50 million, a 56% increase since 2022. This is in addition to the annual Live Más Scholarship fund, which has given over $64 million to young people to help increase their access to education.

Community Grants from the foundation are nomination-based, which enables franchise owners and operators to promote nonprofits that benefit their own neighborhoods, “nonprofits that think differently and take bold approaches to creating new opportunities for young people.”

This year, 45% of grant funding supports programs that “prepare young people for the workforce,” with 29% directed toward academic success mentorship, and 11% dedicated to “increasing college readiness.”

New recipients this year include California Restaurant Foundation, which assists high school students with skills to gain employment in the food service industry, and Braven, which helps first-generation and low- ncome college students. The Community Grant program has previously benefited nonprofits such as Junior Achievement and College Advising Corps.