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