Inspire Brands Foundation Inc
The Inspire Brands Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The foundation operates through multiple brand divisions: the Arby's Foundation, Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation, SONIC Foundation, and Jimmy John's Foundation. The organization works to ignite and nourish change for good across communities throughout the United States, with a team of twelve employees.
Key facts about Inspire Brands Foundation Inc
- EIN
- 58-1692997
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $10,994,393
- Grants made (2024)
- 306
- Average grant
- $35,929
- Median grant
- $11,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (111 of 306, 2024)
- Total assets
- $14,349,733
- Primary geography
- Georgia (25% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Inspire Brands Foundation Inc funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Inspire Brands Foundation Inc's 306 itemized 2024 grants were Georgia (25%), New York (18%) and District of Columbia (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Atlanta, GA (29 grants), Oklahoma City, OK (8 grants), Washington, DC (6 grants) and Asheville, NC (4 grants). None of its 306 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Mission Support" (306 grants).
Is Inspire Brands Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 111 of 306 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $48K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Inspire Brands Foundation Inc
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
$14.3M
-15.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$11.0M
-16.7% YoY
Grant Count
306
-5.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-12.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Inspire Brands Foundation exists to ignite and nourish change for good. The organization operates with four core aspirations:
- Elevate the communities served and play a valuable role in their growth
- Invest in and partner with organizations dedicated to providing food to children who need it most
- Unleash the next generation of leaders by helping young people build the skills and confidence they need to succeed
- Inspire youth to realize their full potential and chart their path to a successful career
The foundation focuses on three primary pillars:
Childhood Hunger — Addressing the fact that childhood hunger affects more than 12 million U.S. children, which can prevent them from performing their best. The foundation provides food through investments in local and national partners to fuel potential.
Youth Leadership — Supporting transformative experiences that build confidence in young people, whether through team environments, meaningful relationships, or new ways of thinking, to help unleash leaders within the next generation.
Career Readiness — Building partnerships within communities across America to help youth develop basic job skills, see their full potential, and chart a path to successful careers.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. All grantees are nominated by members of the Inspire Brands community.
Ready to take the next step with Inspire Brands Foundation Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, though the organization supports both national and local partnerships across the United States.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 306 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $14,349,733
- Total Revenue: $14,984,452
- Total Expenses: $16,926,907
- Total Giving: $13,791,344
2023:
- Total Assets: $16.9 million
- Total Revenue: $17.5 million
- Total Expenses: $17.1 million
- Total Liabilities: $2.17 million
The organization reported conflict of interest transactions in its December 2023 tax filing.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,349,733 | $16,889,623 | $15,019,799 |
| Revenue | $14,984,452 | $17,489,190 | $12,653,183 |
| Expenses | $16,926,907 | $17,086,165 | $11,511,452 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,006,579 | $365,825 | $104,340 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
1,347 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include DonorsChooseorg ($1,973,689), Share Our Strength ($1,254,758), Boys & Girls Clubs of America ($1,192,700).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DonorsChooseorg New York, NY | Mission Support | $1,973,689 |
| Share Our Strength Washington, DC | Mission Support | $1,254,758 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America Atlanta, GA | Mission Support | $1,192,700 |
| Folds of Honor Foundation Owasso, OK | Mission Support | $613,210 |
| The Ron Clark Academy Inc Atlanta, GA | Mission Support | $426,725 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Bandera County Bandera, TX | Mission Support | $101,391 |
| United Heroes League Hastings, MN | Mission Support | $101,000 |
| City of Refuge Incorporated Atlanta, GA | Mission Support | $100,097 |
| 3DE National LLC Atlanta, GA | Mission Support | $100,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Tampa, FL | Mission Support | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Trustees:
- Kate Jaspon — Chairman, Chief Financial Officer, Inspire Brands, Inc.
- Courtney Lowe — Vice Chairman/Treasurer, Vice President – Treasury, Inspire Brands, Inc.
- John Kelly — Chief Company Restaurant Officer, Inspire Brands, Inc.
- David Graves — Brand President, Arby's
- John Bowie — Brand President, Buffalo Wild Wings
- James North — Brand President, Jimmy John's
- Ted Tetrick — VP, Financial Management, SONIC Drive-in
- Ed Baker — Executive in Residence, Georgia State University (Independent Trustee)
- Bill Bolling — Founder, Atlanta Community Food Bank; Sr. Consultant, Georgia Food Bank Association (Independent Trustee)
- Renee Ducre — VP, Enterprise Technology, Business Strategy & Operations, UNCF (Independent Trustee)
- Marshall Freeman — Chief Administrative Officer, Atlanta Police Department (Independent Trustee)
- Charlie Morgan — Partner, Alston & Bird (Independent Trustee)
- David Powell — Chief Revenue Officer, Liongard (Independent Trustee)
- Steak Shapiro — Founder, CEO, Bread N Butter Content Studio (Independent Trustee)
Inspire Brands Foundation Inc is led by Stuart Brown, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 5 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stuart Brown
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$200K (2020) → $263K (2024)
Christian Charnaux
Chairman
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Crawford
Director of Impact
Director Impact & Committee → Director of Impact, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$138K (2020) → $172K (2024)
Ryan Van Sickle
Senior Director of Operations
Director of Operations → Senior Director of Operations, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$139K (2021) → $166K (2024)
Bill Bolling
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Powell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Baker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marshall Freeman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patty Tucker
Trustee
Executive Committee → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charlie Morgan
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James North
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Renee Ducre
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karen Bremer
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Bowie
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Kelly
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tanishia Beacham
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Stranberg
Impact Manager
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$107K (2022) → $123K (2024)
Kristin Lutch
Accounting Manager
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$119K (2022) → $151K (2024)
Chris Held
Secretary
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Lowe
Vice Chairman & Treasurer
Vice President Treasury → Vice Chairman & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Chris Fuller (2020–2023) — Chairman
- Former: Travis Murphy (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Rita Patel (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Claudia San Pedro (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Danton Nolan (2020–2022) — Vice Chairman & Treasurer
- Former: Jim Taylor (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Lyle Tick (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Uta Belvin (2020–2021) — Senior Finance Manager
- Former: Dan Stephens (2021) — Community Impact Manager
- Former: Antonio Machado (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced several recent initiatives:
The Inspire Brands Foundation announced a $1 million donation to support workforce readiness
Dunkin\u2019 Joy in Childhood Foundation Set to Award More Than $10 Million\The foundation launched an initiative to support the workforce of tomorrow
Inspire Brands Foundation Announces $1 Million Donation to Support WorkforceThe foundation hosted a second SPARK event to rally support for empowering young people
Inspire Brands Foundation Announces $1 Million Donation to Support WorkforceHoliday giving initiatives supporting community causes
The Dunkin' Joy in Childhood Foundation, also part of the Inspire Brands family, announced plans to award more than $10 million in 2025 grants to support nonprofits nationwide.
Dunkin\u2019 Joy in Childhood Foundation Set to Award More Than $10 Million\Frequently Asked Questions
What does Inspire Brands Foundation Inc fund?
The Inspire Brands Foundation exists to ignite and nourish change for good. The organization operates with four core aspirations: • Elevate the communities served and play a valuable role in their growth • Invest in and partner with organizations dedicated to providing food to children who need it most • Unleash the next generation of leaders by helping young people build the skills and confidence they need to succeed • Inspire youth to realize their full potential and chart their path to a suc…
How do I apply for a grant from Inspire Brands Foundation Inc?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests. All grantees are nominated by members of the Inspire Brands community. The foundation supports national nonprofit partners including: • DonorsChoose • Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) • Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry campaign In 2023, the Inspire Brands Foundation donated more than $14.1 million to support youth-related organizations. In 2020, the foundation donated more than $9 million to youth-related causes in the U.S.
Where does Inspire Brands Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's grant-making focuses primarily on Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida, though the organization supports both national and local partnerships across the United States.
What size grants does Inspire Brands Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Inspire Brands Foundation Inc awarded 306 grants totaling $11.0M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Inspire Brands Foundation Inc's EIN?
Inspire Brands Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1692997. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Inspire Brands Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.