Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. The funding will support workforce development and graduation celebrations, helping youth across Southwest Michigan access essential resources to achieve their goals and celebrate their accomplishments.
“We are honored to receive this community grant from the Taco Bell Foundation,” said Alloyd Blackmon, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan. “This investment helps ensure that our teens are not only prepared to succeed in the workplace, but also celebrated as they reach important academic milestones. Together, we are empowering young people to build bright futures filled with opportunity and purpose.”
The Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record-breaking $28 million in Community Grants this year to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide. In a statement, Taco Bell said 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.
“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, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan will expand and enhance its Life & Workforce Readiness programs for teens ages 13–18. The funding will support career exploration workshops, resume-building and interview skills training, job shadowing experiences, and access to industry professionals and mentors. It will also help provide transportation, meals, and supplies to reduce barriers to participation. In addition, the grant will fund meaningful graduation celebrations that recognize the accomplishments of high school seniors, reinforcing the importance of academic success and post-secondary planning.
