Spreading Joy: How Our Foundation is Helping Kids Across America in 2025

What does joy look like? For some kids, it’s a warm meal when they’re hungry. For others, it’s a wagging tail from a facility dog during a tough hospital stay. At the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, joy is more than a feeling – it’s a mission. And in 2025, the Foundation is making incredible progress toward that mission. We plan to award over $10 million in grants to nonprofits nationwide before the end of the year. That’s more than 500 grants aimed at making life a little brighter for kids battling hunger or illness.

Why It Matters

Childhood should be full of laughter, play, and simple joys, but for too many kids, hunger and illness get in the way. The Foundation’s grants help change that through two powerful programs:

• Community Impact Grants: These grants fuel food pantries and organizations that make sure kids and families have access to nutritious meals. What makes them special? They’re nominated by Dunkin’ franchisees, crew members, and employees—people who know their communities best.
• Signature Impact Programs: Hospitals and health centers across the country can apply for these grants, which fund initiatives like Dogs for Joy, Dunkin’ Connecting Joy, Dunkin’ Prom, and Dunkin’ Joyful Spaces. Each program is designed to bring comfort, connection, and happiness to pediatric patients during treatment.

Our goal is simple: ensure that every grant we award creates a meaningful and lasting impact for children in the communities we serve.

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The scale of this year’s giving reflects both the growing need and the extraordinary commitment of the entire Dunkin’ system, including the generosity of Dunkin’ franchisees and partners. Since 2006, the Foundation has granted more than $70 million to hundreds of charities nationwide, helping bring joy to millions of children during some of their toughest times.