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Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation awards $8.5M to nonprofits

Photo: Dunkin'

October 10, 2024

The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, an independent charitable organization supported by Dunkin', will award $8.5 million in grants to more than 360 organizations across the country, according to a press release.

The Community Impact Grants, an invitation-only program, connect Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation partners with food pantries, food banks and organizations serving kids and their families experiencing food insecurity. These grants help provide nutritious food to families in need, and recipients are nominated by members of the Dunkin' community, including franchisees and crew members.

Signature Impact Programs, open to hospitals and community health centers directly serving children, focus on providing joyful moments and experiences for children and families dealing with illness. These programs include Dogs for Joy, Dunkin' Connecting Joy, Dunkin' Prom and Dunkin' Joyful Spaces, each designed to offer joy and comfort to pediatric patients.

"The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation brings out the very best in our franchise community," Scott Murphy, chief brand officer, Inspire Brands, said in the press release. "It's an opportunity for employees, franchisees, and partners to join forces and make a real difference in the lives of children in need. Their generosity reflects the power of Dunkin' to not only serve a great cup of coffee but also to serve our communities in meaningful ways."

Earlier this year, the Foundation celebrated a significant milestone, surpassing $50 million in grants distributed since its inception in 2006. The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation will honor its new grant recipients with special events across the country this fall.

"Our ongoing goal is to ensure these grants create lasting, positive impacts in the many neighborhoods where Dunkin' franchisees and crew members work and live," Mollie Collum, director, Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, said in the press release. "This is a record year for Dunkin' Joy's grantmaking impact, and it underscores the commitment of the Dunkin' brand, our franchisees, partners and guests to our mission."

One of the Foundation's largest fundraisers each year, Dunkin' Iced Coffee Day, where $1 is donated from every iced coffee purchase, helped raise more than $2.1 million in a single day this June thanks to the generosity of Dunkin' franchisees and guests.

The Dunkin' x Bark initiative continues as well, where guests receive a dog toy as a thank you for donations.

Dunkin has more than 13,700 restaurants in nearly 40 global markets.