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:
4 Paws for Ability Inc
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
Arizona Helping Hands
Scottsdale, AZ
Provides basic essential needs to boys and girls in foster care in Arizona
Bracken's Kitchen, Inc
Huntington Beach, CA
Dedicated to combating food insecurity in Southern California, one tasty meal at a time
Camp Korey
Mount Vernon, WA
Empowers children and families living with serious medical conditions through year-round, life-changing experiences, always free of charge
Campus Pride, Inc
Charlotte, NC
Developing necessary resources, programs and services to support LGBTQ and ally students on college campuses across the United States
Carry the Future
Glendale, CA
Provides humanitarian aid to refugees, easing their journey while enabling global volunteers to be a collective force of action
Cities at Peace Inc (aka The Possibility Project)
New York, NY
Bringing teenagers together to transform the negative forces in their lives and communities into positive action
Conservation Hawks Inc
Bigfork, MT
Working to educate hunters and anglers on the threat from human-caused climate change
Emma's Torch Ltd
Brooklyn, NY
Training refugees in the culinary arts and helping them find meaningful careers in the food industry
Esposas Militares Hispanas USA Armed Forces
Schertz, TX
Creates awareness and information in Spanish to Hispanic Military Spouses
Grace Centers of Hope
Pontiac, MI
Homeless shelter and rehabilitation program dedicated to positively changing the lives of men, women, and children
Kids for Peace, Inc
Carlsbad, CA
Working to create peace through youth leadership, community service, global friendships and thoughtful acts of kindness
Life Remodeled - A Nonprofit Corporation
Detroit, MI
Striving to remodel lives along with neighborhoods, schools, and homes
Pike Place Market Foundation
Seattle, WA
Supports the heart and soul of the Market - its people - through housing, healthcare, healthy food, childcare and a community of support
Progressive Animal Welfare Society Inc
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
Project Transformation - North Texas
Dallas, TX
Engaging young adults in purposeful leadership and ministry, supporting underserved children and families and connecting churches to communities in need
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, OK
Largest private hunger-relief organization in the state of Oklahoma and member of Feeding America
RYSE Inc
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
Tap Cancer Out Inc
Stratford, CT
Raising awareness and funds for cancer-fighting organizations on behalf of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community
Team Red, White & Blue Inc
Tampa, FL
Enriching the lives of America's Veterans by connecting them to people in their community through physical and social activity
Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego County Inc
San Diego, CA
Volunteer-based program working to provide support and assistance to those traumatically affected in emergency situations
World Relief Corp. of National Association of Evangelicals
Baltimore, Maryland
Humanitarian relief and development organization that partners with local churches to end the cycle of suffering, transform lives and build sustainable communities
YMCA of Greater Seattle
Seattle, WA
Strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility
Youth Rebuilding New Orleans
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
Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater Philadelphia Inc
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:
When I Grow Up, Inc
Reedley, CA
Dedicated to empowering children out of extreme poverty
The Exodus Road, Inc
Colorado Springs, CO
Strategically fighting human trafficking
