The Taco Bell Foundation for Teens was founded in 1992 (initially as the Taco Bell Foundation, Inc.) with the purpose of serving America’s teens — many of whom are our customers, our employees, our friends and families. Working closely with franchisees, local community partners and customers, the Foundation has inspired and enabled teens in your neighborhood to graduate high school and reach their full potential through our programs, partnerships, and direct financial assistance. We are proud to share these milestones:
1992 – Taco Bell Foundation founded.
1995 – Launched a national teen initiative with Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
2000 – Established 100th TeenSupreme Center with Boys & Girls Clubs, providing exclusive space for teens with a dedicated staff, special hours and teen-oriented programming.
2006 – Celebrated reaching $15 million in financial support to Boys & Girls Clubs of America teen programs.
2008 – Awarded thirty-nine teens with grants for their exceptional service to the community with the Teen Hero Awards, a partnership between Think MTV, Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Taco Bell Foundation.
2008 – Officially changed name to the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens.
2010 – Launched Graduate To Go™, a national initiative that distributed more than 250 grants totaling $1.8 million to local organizations
2010 – Launched Camp Taco Bell® by hosting eleven job training experiences.
2011 – Partnered with the Mark Wahlberg Youth Foundation and launched two Taco Bell Foundation for Teens Studios. The first in Long Beach, CA at the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor and the second in Dorchester, MA at the Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester.
2012 – Celebrated Foundation’s 20 year anniversary.
2013 – Partnered with Get Schooled to launch Graduate for Más™, a year-round program that challenges America’s teens to make a personal promise to graduate high school.
2013 – Reached 1.5MM teens through the Graduate for Más in school program throughout over 1,000 high schools.