Powered by Joy: A Message from the Director of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation

Our Purpose

When people ask what we do at the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, I tell them it’s simple: We bring joy to the kids who need it most.

That may sound like a small thing, but joy is powerful. It’s healing. It’s hope. And for children battling illness or hunger, or families navigating some of life’s toughest moments, joy can be everything.

Each year, thanks to the incredible generosity of Dunkin’ franchisees, employees, crew members, and guests, our Foundation is able to support more than 2.6 million children across the country. That’s not just a number – it’s 2.6 million moments of smiles, relief, and resilience made possible through local giving. In 2024, that was brought to life through more than 630 community and national grants.

Since our Foundation’s inception nearly 20 years ago, we’ve raised over $60 million, all of which has been reinvested into local communities through impactful grants and programming. Whether it’s funding a facility dog for a hospital’s child life department, providing resources for a (Dunkin’) Prom that teenage patients may otherwise never get to experience, providing respite spaces for children taking a break from cancer treatment, or donating meals for food-insecure families, each initiative shares the same mission: to deliver joy to kids when and where it’s needed most.

What Makes Joy Unique

One of the things I’m most proud of as Director of Dunkin’ Joy is how grounded we are in the communities we serve. Our support doesn’t just come from a central office – it comes from everyday heroes: Dunkin’ franchisees who host fundraisers and give generously, partners who believe in what we do, employees who volunteer with local nonprofits across the country, and guests who participate in our in-restaurant fundraisers. All come together to make a real difference.

Because of this collective effort, we’re able to fund organizations in a personal, timely, and mission-relevant manner. We’re continuing to show up for our neighbors. Just last year, we raised $16 million to advance our community-oriented giving.

Big Hearts, Big Impact

There’s something extraordinary that happens when a child feels seen and supported. It’s not just about the meal or the moment – it’s about what those spark. Confidence. Comfort. Strength. And core to our mission – joy. It’s an opportunity for kids to just be kids.

I’m continually humbled by the resilience of the children we serve and inspired by the group that makes it all possible. Every donated dollar, every fundraising event, and every volunteer hour shared in support of our mission brings us one step closer to a world where every kid has the chance to experience joy, even in the hardest of times.

On behalf of the entire Foundation team, whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to Dunkin’ Joy, thank you for being a part of this journey. I hope that you’ll tune back into this page for stories about our local franchisees, partners, grantees, and more. Your support is critical to carrying us – and the kids we support – into the next 20 years.

Here’s to many more moments of joy to come.

With gratitude,
Mollie