Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend receive nearly $18,000 community grant from Taco Bell Foundation
Barney Lerten
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of a $17,700 2025 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. The funding will support the Family Plus Program, which includes mentorship and wrap-around services, helping youth in Central Oregon access essential resources to achieve their goals.
“This grant will help us empower today’s youth through healthy adult mentorships, career readiness and exploration, and mental health support to thrive and become the confident leaders of tomorrow,” said Alice Ivie, the clubs’ vice president of development. “We’re grateful to Bend Taco Bell locations for believing in our mission and investing in the potential of our youth.”
The Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record-breaking $28 million in Community Grants this year to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide. The Community Grants program uplifts youth in the communities that matter most to Taco Bell – those of its fans and Team Members. True to the brand’s spirit, the Taco Bell Foundation supports nonprofits that think differently and take bold approaches to creating new opportunities for young people.
BGCB was nominated for the grant by local Taco Bell franchisee Bend Taco Bell, whose continued commitment to uplifting youth has helped expand access to education, mentorship and career readiness programs across the community.
“We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future,” said Lisa Lane Cardin, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation. “This record investment is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the limitless potential that exists when we remove barriers and open doors.”
Through this grant, BGCB will be able to serve and advocate for our families living in poverty through services that promote positive mental health and well-being for our “youth who need us most.”
To learn more about BGCB, please visit bgcbend.org. To learn more about the Taco Bell Foundation and the Community Grants program, please visit
https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/who-we-support/.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend
Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend provides youth opportunities for growth that inspire and empower them to reach their full potential in the classroom, at home, and in our community. Our after-school and summer programs are designed to promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and good character.
About Taco Bell Foundation
Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that empowers the next generation to pursue their passions by breaking down barriers to education and providing resources to help young people chase their boldest ambitions. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached nearly 9 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $203 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit www.tacobellfoundation.org.