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Taco Bell Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$26.1M
Grant Range
$2K - $0.1M

Taco Bell Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $26.1 million (2023 grants)
  • Total Revenue: $48.7 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $69.6 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $1,500 - $100,000+
  • Geographic Focus: United States (communities where Taco Bell operates)
  • Application Method: Invitation only/nomination-based
  • Founded: 1992

Contact Details

Website: https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/

Email:

Address: Taco Bell Foundation 1 Glen Bell Way Irvine, CA 92618

Contact Form: https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/contact-form/

Overview

Founded in 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached nearly 12 million young people across the United States and awarded more than $231 million in grants and scholarships focused on education and career readiness. With total assets of $69.6 million and annual revenue of $48.7 million as of 2023, the Foundation operates under the mission to "empower the next generation to Live Más." The Foundation has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and a Gold Transparency rating from Candid. Their strategic approach centers on breaking down barriers to education through two primary programs: the Live Más Scholarship for individual students ages 16-26, and Community Grants supporting youth-serving nonprofit organizations. In 2025, the Foundation awarded a record-breaking $28 million to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide, marking their largest giving year in their 30+ year history.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Program (invitation only)

  • Grant Range: $1,500 - $100,000+ depending on proposal
  • 2025 Distribution: $28 million to nearly 500 organizations
  • Application Method: Nomination-based through Taco Bell franchise owners and operators
  • Focus: Youth-serving organizations in communities where Taco Bell operates
  • Notable Examples: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis ($100,000), Boys & Girls Club of Clifton ($50,000), Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend ($17,700)

Impact Fund (invitation only, limited to existing Community Grant partners)

  • Recent Distribution: $300,000 to five organizations (early 2024); $500,000 to two organizations (late 2024, $250,000 each)
  • Timeline: Invitations sent each summer, funds distributed in fall
  • Purpose: Support innovative proposals aimed at dismantling obstacles to youth education access

Emergency Relief Grants (invitation only)

  • Supports organizations responding to crisis situations affecting youth

Major Partnership: Boys & Girls Clubs of America - $30 million, five-year commitment to help teens graduate from high school and unlock opportunities for college and careers. Since 2013, the Foundation has granted nearly $78.5 million to approximately 350 Boys & Girls Clubs.

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports organizations with programming focused on:

  • Post-secondary education development and readiness
  • Career development and readiness
  • Leadership development and mentorship
  • Youth academic success
  • College and career exploration and readiness
  • Financial literacy
  • Entrepreneurship
  • 21st-century skills development
  • Socio-emotional well-being

Target Population: Youth ages 16-26, with emphasis on at-risk, underperforming, and underrepresented youth

Geographic Focus: Communities where Taco Bell restaurants operate across the United States

What They Don't Fund

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications. Organizations cannot apply directly for funding - all grants are invitation-only or nomination-based.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (15 members):

  • Neil Borkan, Chairman (NJB Operations, Inc.)
  • Sean Tresvant, Vice Chairman (also CEO of Taco Bell)
  • Additional board members include restaurant entrepreneurs and executives including Rob Alvarado, Tina Reagan, Marjorie Perlman, and professionals from firms like Deloitte & Touche LLP

Executive Leadership:

  • Lisa Lane Cardin, Executive Director
  • Morgan Tabor, Assistant Executive Director
  • Julie Davis, Executive Sponsor, Taco Bell Foundation (also Global Chief Legal Officer and Chief Development Officer of Taco Bell International)
  • Staff of approximately 15 handling grants, marketing, development, data analytics, and program management

Foundation Philosophy: "We feed curiosity for the unconventional. We empower fearless dreamers and risk-takers to find their own paths by unlocking opportunities – whether in food, arts, the trades, entrepreneurship, and beyond."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Taco Bell Foundation does not have a public application process. All Community Grants are distributed through an invitation-only, nomination-based system.

How Grants Are Awarded:

  • Taco Bell franchise owners and operators nominate nonprofits doing good in their own neighborhoods
  • The Foundation seeks out organizations aligned with their mission and values
  • Selection considers: key partners, funding history, available funds, known community needs and preferences, and opportunities for long-term partnerships

For Organizations Interested in Funding: Since unsolicited proposals are not accepted, organizations cannot apply directly. The Foundation explicitly states they "don't have the resources to review unsolicited materials."

Getting on Their Radar

Connection Through Taco Bell Franchise Owners: The most viable path to funding is through local Taco Bell franchise owners and operators, who have the power to nominate nonprofits in their communities. Organizations serving youth in areas with Taco Bell locations should consider:

  • Building relationships with local Taco Bell franchise owners who are empowered to champion nonprofits in their neighborhoods
  • Demonstrating strong alignment with the Foundation's mission of supporting youth ages 16-26 in education and career readiness
  • Showcasing measurable impact on at-risk, underperforming, and underrepresented youth in your community

Impact Fund Pathway: Organizations that become Community Grant partners may be invited to submit proposals for the larger Impact Fund grants, which support innovative approaches to dismantling obstacles to youth education access.

Decision Timeline

Community Grants:

  • Specific timeline not publicly disclosed
  • Grants typically announced annually with major distributions occurring mid-year
  • 2025 grants were announced in early 2025

Impact Fund:

  • Invitations sent each summer to select Community Grant partners
  • Proposals reviewed by selection committee
  • Funds distributed to selected organizations in fall

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment: The Foundation emphasizes they "seek out organizations that are aligned with our mission and values." Organizations must focus on youth ages 16-26 with programming in post-secondary education development/readiness, career development/readiness, leadership development/readiness, and/or mentorship.

Innovative and Bold Approaches: The Foundation explicitly states they support "nonprofits that think differently and take bold approaches to creating new opportunities for young people." Impact Fund recipient Notes for Notes was recognized for their "innovative approach, particularly in how they authentically empower youth through gamified, career-readiness programs."

Service to Underrepresented Youth: A significant portion of funding supports organizations who "dedicate support towards at-risk and underrepresented youth, with the overarching goal of boosting graduation rates, facilitating a seamless transition from high school to college and beyond, and equipping young talent with the tools they need to thrive in the workforce."

Local Community Presence: Organizations located in and serving communities where Taco Bell operates have the strongest pathway to funding, as franchise owners nominate local nonprofits. The Foundation facilitates "community building and connection on a local level by joining forces with Taco Bell Team Members and Franchise Owners."

Direct Youth Services: The Foundation supports organizations that "provide direct services for youth academic success, mentorship, college and career exploration and readiness, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, 21st-century skills, and socio-emotional well-being."

Long-Term Partnership Potential: The Foundation's selection process considers "opportunities for long-term partnerships," suggesting they value sustained relationships. Their $30 million, five-year commitment to Boys & Girls Clubs of America demonstrates preference for deep, multi-year partnerships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This is a nomination-based, invitation-only funder. Building relationships with local Taco Bell franchise owners is the most viable pathway to consideration.

  • Focus on Innovation: The Foundation explicitly seeks "nonprofits that think differently and take bold approaches" - conventional programs may not stand out even if invited to apply.

  • Youth Ages 16-26 Are Priority: Programs must serve this specific age range with emphasis on education and career readiness outcomes.

  • Geographic Alignment Matters: Organizations in communities where Taco Bell operates have the strongest advantage, as the model empowers franchise owners to champion local nonprofits.

  • Long-Term Partnership Model: The Foundation values sustained relationships over one-time grants, as evidenced by their multi-million dollar, multi-year commitments to partners like Boys & Girls Clubs.

  • Scale Your Impact Story: With grants ranging from under $20,000 to over $100,000, be prepared to articulate both immediate program needs and potential for expanded impact if invited to the Impact Fund opportunity.

  • Don't Submit Unsolicited Proposals: The Foundation explicitly states they cannot review unsolicited materials - focus energy on relationship building rather than cold outreach.

References

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