Starbucks Foundation awards hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities
To mark the release of Season 2 of Upstanders, Starbucks original series highlighting ordinary people doing extraordinary things to create positive change, the Starbucks Foundation launched the “Upstanders Challenge,” awarding more than half a million dollars in grants to organizations (eligible US 501(c)3 non-profits) making a difference in their communities.
Non-profits were nominated and voted on with the help of Indi.com, a video engagement platform. Almost 1,000 videos were ranked on the Indi.com Upstanders Challenge page, using a proprietary algorithm to track “buzz” for each charity nominated, based on views, likes and shares on the website and in social media. A panel of judges selected the 25 winning organizations from the top 40 buzz-getters, which will each receive a $25,000 grant from the Starbucks Foundation.
The 25 organizations and their nominating videos are:
Xenia, OH
Training and placing quality, task-trained service dogs for children with disabilities as well as veterans from recent conflicts who’ve lost the use of their limbs or their hearing
Scottsdale, AZ
Provides basic essential needs to boys and girls in foster care in Arizona
Huntington Beach, CA
Dedicated to combating food insecurity in Southern California, one tasty meal at a time
Mount Vernon, WA
Empowers children and families living with serious medical conditions through year-round, life-changing experiences, always free of charge
Charlotte, NC
Developing necessary resources, programs and services to support LGBTQ and ally students on college campuses across the United States
Glendale, CA
Provides humanitarian aid to refugees, easing their journey while enabling global volunteers to be a collective force of action
New York, NY
Bringing teenagers together to transform the negative forces in their lives and communities into positive action
Bigfork, MT
Working to educate hunters and anglers on the threat from human-caused climate change
Brooklyn, NY
Training refugees in the culinary arts and helping them find meaningful careers in the food industry
Schertz, TX
Creates awareness and information in Spanish to Hispanic Military Spouses
Pontiac, MI
Homeless shelter and rehabilitation program dedicated to positively changing the lives of men, women, and children
Carlsbad, CA
Working to create peace through youth leadership, community service, global friendships and thoughtful acts of kindness
Detroit, MI
Striving to remodel lives along with neighborhoods, schools, and homes
Seattle, WA
Supports the heart and soul of the Market – its people – through housing, healthcare, healthy food, childcare and a community of support
Lynnwood, WA
Rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife, sheltering and adopting homeless cats and dogs and educating people to make a better world for animals and people
Dallas, TX
Engaging young adults in purposeful leadership and ministry, supporting underserved children and families and connecting churches to communities in need
Oklahoma City, OK
Largest private hunger-relief organization in the state of Oklahoma and member of Feeding America
Richmond, CA
Creating safe spaces grounded in social justice that build youth power for young people to love, learn, educate, heal and transform lives and communities
Stratford, CT
Raising awareness and funds for cancer-fighting organizations on behalf of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community
Tampa, FL
Enriching the lives of America’s Veterans by connecting them to people in their community through physical and social activity
San Diego, CA
Volunteer-based program working to provide support and assistance to those traumatically affected in emergency situations
Baltimore, Maryland
Humanitarian relief and development organization that partners with local churches to end the cycle of suffering, transform lives and build sustainable communities
Seattle, WA
Strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility
New Orleans, LA
Engaging local youth in the recovery and rebirth of the New Orleans area by reducing blight by rebuilding distressed and foreclosed homes
Philadelphia, PA
Creating volunteer opportunities to address community needs in Philadelphia and inspiring local youth for a lifetime commitment to service
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Separately, Starbucks partners (employees) nominated non-profit organizations for a $25,000 grant as part of the Upstanders Challenge Partner Edition, and the judging panel selected two winners out of the top 10 buzz-getters:
Reedley, CA
Dedicated to empowering children out of extreme poverty
Colorado Springs, CO
Strategically fighting human trafficking
Starbucks introduced innovations to its global store portfolio to further strengthen communities and create environments where all feel welcome, part of its continued effort to be a People Positive company.
Grants will be awarded for causes aligned to The Starbucks Foundation’s community impact goals, including youth empowerment, inclusion & diversity, social services, hunger relief, economic opportunity, and coffee-, tea- and cocoa-growing communities.
See the list of The Starbucks Foundation’s recently awarded origin grants to uplift women and girls in coffee-, tea- and cocoa-growing communities.