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Inspire Brands Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$17.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $2.6M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17.1 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available (invitation/nomination-based)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $2,620,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

Website: https://foundation.inspirebrands.com/

Address: Inspire Brands Foundation, Inc., Atlanta, GA

Grants Portal: https://inspirebrands.my.site.com/InspireFoundation/s/inspire-foundation-welcome

Overview

The Inspire Brands Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, founded to support Inspire Brands' portfolio of restaurant companies. The foundation operates under multiple brand identities: Arby's Foundation, Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation, SONIC Foundation, Jimmy John's Foundation, and partners with Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation. With 2023 revenues of $17.5 million and total assets of $16.9 million, the foundation focuses on igniting and nourishing change through strategic national and community partnerships. The foundation's mission centers on three core pillars: childhood hunger, youth leadership, and career readiness. In 2020, the foundation donated more than $9 million to youth-related causes, grew to $14.1 million in 2023, and reached $22 million in combined contributions across all brand foundations in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

SPARK Nonprofit Accelerator

  • A yearlong program combining funding, expert-led training, and mentorship
  • Approximately 25 nonprofits selected per cohort
  • Initial grants provided, with opportunity to pitch for larger grants at program completion
  • Focus: Youth-focused workforce readiness initiatives
  • Total 2023 SPARK funding: $1 million distributed to 30+ organizations
  • Application timeline: Franchisee nominations (October 6-31), nonprofit applications (mid-November), selections announced (mid-January)
  • Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations with annual budgets of $1-3 million, serving youth, in existence for at least 2 years, stand-alone nonprofits (not part of national networks)

Community and Signature Grants

  • Leverages partnerships with nonprofit organizations aligned with each brand purpose
  • Application method: Invitation/nomination only through Inspire Brands community members
  • No fixed deadlines; rolling consideration through internal nominations

Brand-Specific Programs

  • Arby's Foundation: Partners with No Kid Hungry, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement
  • Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation: Supports Boys & Girls Clubs of America and youth sports organizations
  • SONIC Foundation: Limeades for Learning program partnering with DonorsChoose for teacher/classroom support
  • Baskin-Robbins Foundation: Pint Sized Heroes program providing $31,000 grants to children's hospitals
  • Jimmy John's Foundation: Launched 2021, focuses on youth opportunities and career skills

Priority Areas

  • Childhood Hunger: Food access programs including community pantries, backpack programs, school lunch assistance
  • Youth Leadership: Development of next-generation leaders through mentorship and skill-building
  • Career Readiness: Workforce preparation initiatives helping youth chart paths to successful careers
  • Health and Wellness: Support for children's hospitals and programs creating joyful experiences for kids facing illness
  • Education: Teacher support and classroom resources through partnerships like DonorsChoose

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. All grantees are nominated by members of the Inspire Brands community, including franchisees, employees, and corporate partners. Organizations outside the foundation's three core pillars (childhood hunger, youth leadership, career readiness) are unlikely to receive support.

Governance and Leadership

Board Chairman: Kate Japson, Chief Financial Officer, Inspire Brands, Inc.

Vice Chairman/Treasurer: Courtney Lowe, Vice President – Treasury, Inspire Brands, Inc.

Executive Director: Courtney Lowe

Board of Trustees (14 members total):

  • John Kelly, Chief Company Restaurant Officer, Inspire Brands, Inc.
  • Renee Ducre, VP Enterprise Technology, Business Strategy & Operations, UNCF (Independent Trustee)
  • Marshall Freeman, Chief Administrative Officer, Atlanta Police Department (Independent Trustee)
  • Additional brand presidents and Inspire Brands executives

The board includes a mix of Inspire Brands corporate leadership and independent trustees from community organizations, reflecting the foundation's commitment to both corporate philanthropic strategy and community-grounded decision-making.

Leadership Vision: Paul Brown, Inspire Co-Founder and CEO, stated: "Our vision for SPARK is to create a moment in time where the hospitality industry comes together to amplify our mission to inspire youth in realizing their full potential and charting their path to a successful, long-term career."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important: The Inspire Brands Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. According to their website: "All grantees are nominated by members of the Inspire Brands community."

Nomination-Based Process:

SPARK Program Application (separate process):

  • Franchisees nominate organizations during October nomination period
  • Selected nonprofits receive application invitations in mid-November
  • Applications must be submitted by mid-November deadline
  • Cohort selections announced mid-January

Getting on Their Radar

Franchisee and Employee Connections: The foundation explicitly states that all grants flow through nominations from the Inspire Brands community. Building relationships with local Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, Jimmy John's, Baskin-Robbins, or Dunkin' franchisees is the primary pathway to consideration. Franchisees and employees can nominate community organizations they support.

Volunteer Events: In April 2024, Inspire team members and franchisees logged more than 10,200 hours of volunteer service. Connecting with local franchise locations during their community service initiatives (particularly in April) provides opportunities to demonstrate your organization's alignment with foundation priorities.

SPARK Events and Summits: The foundation hosts annual SPARK events in Atlanta, including community summits for nonprofit and community leaders. The 2024 event included 80+ nonprofit leaders. Attending these events (when open to applicants) provides networking opportunities with foundation staff and board members.

National Partner Organizations: The foundation maintains strategic partnerships with No Kid Hungry, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and DonorsChoose. Organizations working in similar spaces or collaborating with these partners may have increased visibility.

Decision Timeline

SPARK Program:

  • Cohort selections announced mid-January
  • Yearlong program includes initial grant distribution followed by workshops and training
  • Larger grants awarded at program completion following pitch presentations

Traditional Grants:

  • No public timeline available
  • Decisions made by Board of Trustees on rolling basis through nomination review

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The nomination-based system means there is no traditional "application pool" to calculate acceptance percentages. The SPARK program selects approximately 25 nonprofits per cohort from an undisclosed number of nominees.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies or waiting periods for unsuccessful applicants or nominees.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Core Pillars: Organizations must clearly address childhood hunger, youth leadership, or career readiness. The foundation emphasizes these three areas consistently across all communications.

Youth Focus Required: The foundation's tagline emphasizes "unleashing the next generation of leaders by helping young people build the skills and confidence they need to succeed." All funded programs directly serve youth populations.

Local Community Connection: The foundation values "community partnerships" and local impact. Organizations with existing relationships to Inspire Brands franchise locations demonstrate community embeddedness that aligns with the foundation's approach.

Workforce Readiness Emphasis: The 2023-2024 SPARK initiative focused specifically on workforce readiness, representing a strategic priority. Organizations offering career skills training, mentorship, or job preparation programs align with this priority area.

Scalability and Impact (for SPARK applicants): SPARK specifically seeks "high potential nonprofits" ready to "scale their impact." Organizations in the $1-3 million budget range demonstrating readiness to grow are ideal candidates.

Recent Examples of Funded Work:

  • 3DE (workforce readiness through classroom-to-career programs)
  • Ron Clark Academy (innovative education and leadership development)
  • City of Refuge (comprehensive community support including job training)
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta (youth mentorship)
  • DonorsChoose classroom projects (educational resources for teachers serving low-income students)

Measurement and Outcomes: SPARK participants must demonstrate "desire to scale impact," suggesting that organizations with clear metrics and growth plans are favored.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Nomination is essential: Without an internal champion among Inspire Brands franchisees, employees, or partners, direct grant applications are not possible. Relationship-building with local franchise locations is the primary pathway.

  • Focus on the three pillars: Childhood hunger, youth leadership, and career readiness are non-negotiable priorities. Applications must clearly address at least one pillar.

  • Youth-centered programs only: The foundation exclusively supports programs serving young people. Adult-focused programs, even in related areas, do not align.

  • SPARK offers structured pathway: For organizations with $1-3 million budgets focused on workforce readiness, the SPARK accelerator provides a defined application process with substantial support beyond funding.

  • Major grants go to national partners: The largest grants ($1-2.6 million) flow to established national organizations like DonorsChoose, No Kid Hungry, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Regional and local organizations typically receive smaller grants.

  • April volunteer month creates visibility: With 10,200+ volunteer hours logged in April 2024, this represents a key opportunity for local organizations to connect with potential nominators.

  • Multi-brand strategy: Understanding that the foundation operates through five brand identities (Arby's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, Jimmy John's, Baskin-Robbins) allows organizations to tailor relationship-building to the most relevant brand presence in their community.

References

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