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True Inspiration Awards
The True Inspiration Awards™ program was created in 2015 to honor the legacy of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. Through these annual grants, we are proud to celebrate and support nonprofit organizations who are Black-led or serve communities of color and who are working in the areas of education, hunger or homelessness. Applications for the 2022 True Inspiration Awards are open March 1 through May 31, 2021.
Apply now
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a True Inspiration Award, an organization should:
- Be either (i) a 501(c)(3) based in the U.S. or (ii) a Canadian charitable organization that can provide an opinion of counsel that confirms it is the equivalent of a U.S. 501(c)(3) public charity in its home jurisdiction
- Have a majority Black board of directors, executive leadership and staff or provide services that currently and intentionally impact Black communities or other communities of color in a quantifiable or measurable way
- Serve in the areas of education, hunger or homelessness
Types of awards
S. Truett Cathy honoree
One organization will be selected as the S. Truett Cathy Honoree. The S. Truett Cathy Honoree will embody the generous, innovative spirit of Chick-fil-A’s founder — pioneering new ways to solve problems and serve others.
Category winners
Nine organizations will be selected as Category Winners. Category Winners will demonstrate leadership and impact in the areas of education, hunger and homelessness.
- Education (three winners): Programs or projects focused on fostering character and leadership development, academic excellence, and community involvement in underserved youth
- Hunger (three winners): Programs or projects focused on addressing hunger and food insecurity facing children and their families
- Homelessness (three winners): Programs or projects focused on providing housing and other direct services to support young people
Regional winners
Twenty-four organizations will be selected as Regional Winners for their work in one of the three categories (education, hunger or homelessness). These organizations must be nominated by a Chick-fil-A Operator, and Chick-fil-A One Customers will have the opportunity to vote on finalists in the Chick-fil-A App.
2021 Winners
S. Truett Cathy Honoree
One organization is selected each year as the S. Truett Cathy Honoree. This organization embodies the generous, innovative spirit of Chick-fil-A’s founder — pioneering new ways to solve problems and serve others.
Riverdale, GA
Nominated by Operator Chris Smith
The mission of DuBois Integrity Academy (DIA) is to prepare college- and career-ready scholars who are confident and inquisitive lifelong learners. DIA, which takes a whole-child approach to elementary education, is open to any and every child that lives in Clayton County, free of charge.
Top Category Winners
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Education |
Homelessness |
Hunger |
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Homeboy Industries Los Angeles, CA Nominated by Operator Ashley Lamothe Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to former gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals to become contributing members of the community. |
Yonge Street Mission Toronto, Ontario Nominated by Operator Wilson Yang All of the resources and energy at Yonge Street Mission (YSM) are focused on working to respond to immediate needs and help people move from surviving to thriving. |
St. Paul CDC Paterson, NJ St. Paul Community Development Corporation (CDC) seeks to alleviate the conditions of hunger, homelessness, unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy in the City of Paterson. |
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C5 Youth Foundation Inc. Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Mike Moore C5 Youth Foundation inspires high-potential teens from under-resourced communities to achievepersonal success, while preparing them for leadership roles in school, home, work, and their community, as well as become role models for others. |
Wheeler Mission Indianapolis, IN Nominated by Operator Rick Johnson Wheeler Mission provides critically needed goods and services to the homeless, poor, and needy of central Indiana. |
HOPE Multiplied Washington, D.C. HOPE inspires and equips passionate people to serve more people than they ever could on their own. Together, they discover the real needs of their communities to passionately and creatively love and serve them. |
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City Kids Wilderness Project Washington, D.C. City Kids Wilderness Project is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that providing enriching life experiences for D.C. youth can enhance their lives, the lives of their families and the greater community. |
Lifestyles of Maryland Foundation La Plata, MD Nominated by Operator Ken Weikel Lifestyles of Maryland’s mission is to provide compassionate programs and services that meet the needs of those who are underserved in their community, resulting in help, hope and transformation. |
Good News Community Kitchen Occoquan, VA Nominated by Operator Luis Hevia Good News Community Kitchen rebuilds and strengthens communities by fighting hunger one meal at a time. |
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Education |
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Homeboy Industries Los Angeles, CA Nominated by Operator Ashley Lamothe Homeboy Industries provides hope, training, and support to former gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals to become contributing members of the community. |
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C5 Youth Foundation Inc. Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Mike Moore C5 Youth Foundation inspires high-potential teens from under-resourced communities to achievepersonal success, while preparing them for leadership roles in school, home, work, and their community, as well as become role models for others. |
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City Kids Wilderness Project Washington, D.C. City Kids Wilderness Project is a nonprofit organization founded on the belief that providing enriching life experiences for D.C. youth can enhance their lives, the lives of their families and the greater community. |
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Homelessness |
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Yonge Street Mission Toronto, Ontario Nominated by Operator Wilson Yang All of the resources and energy at Yonge Street Mission (YSM) are focused on working to respond to immediate needs and help people move from surviving to thriving. |
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Wheeler Mission Indianapolis, IN Nominated by Operator Rick Johnson Wheeler Mission provides critically needed goods and services to the homeless, poor, and needy of central Indiana. |
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Lifestyles of Maryland Foundation La Plata, MD Nominated by Operator Ken Weikel Lifestyles of Maryland’s mission is to provide compassionate programs and services that meet the needs of those who are underserved in their community, resulting in help, hope and transformation. |
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Hunger |
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St. Paul CDC Paterson, NJ St. Paul Community Development Corporation (CDC) seeks to alleviate the conditions of hunger, homelessness, unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy in the City of Paterson. |
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HOPE Multiplied Washington, D.C. HOPE inspires and equips passionate people to serve more people than they ever could on their own. Together, they discover the real needs of their communities to passionately and creatively love and serve them. |
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Good News Community Kitchen Occoquan, VA Nominated by Operator Luis Hevia Good News Community Kitchen rebuilds and strengthens communities by fighting hunger one meal at a time. |
Regional Winners
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Atlantic |
Midwest |
Northeast |
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Wash Away Unemployment New Bern, NC Nominated by Operator Tom Pike |
Midtown Educational Foundation Chicago, IL Nominated by Operator Rob Meier |
Techie Youth Group Rego Park, NY Nominated by Operator Joe Hawkins |
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Charleston County Parks Foundation Charleston, SC Nominated by Operator Jason Williams |
Dutton Farm Rochester Hills, MI Nominated by Operator Blake Dennard |
Cornerstones Inc. Reston, VA Nominated by Operator Larry Everett |
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Peacemakers of Rocky Mount Rocky Mount, NC Nominated by Operator Bill Lehnes |
MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center St. Joseph, MO Nominated by Operator Ruthie Seitz |
Buffalo City Mission Buffalo, NY Nominated by Operator Cassandra Sheedy |
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Lighthouse Academy Louisville, KY Nominated by Operator Matt Brigga |
Life Remodeled Detroit, MI Nominated by Operator Luca Chit |
Inspire Sports Camps Maywood, NJ Nominated by Operator Ken Walsh |
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Southeast |
Southwest |
West |
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Share the Magic Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Charlie Crews |
Generation One Houston, TX Nominated by Operator Becky Chin |
College Success Foundation Bellevue, WA Nominated by Operator Lynnae Schneller |
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Agape Youth & Family Center Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator John Diamond |
Hope Farm Fort Worth, TX Nominated by Operator Wayne Hassler |
Vine Maple Place Maple Valley, WA Nominated by Operator Marc Schuh |
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City of Refuge Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Quincy Springs |
Arlington Life Shelter Arlington, TX Nominated by Operator Tiffany Hassler |
ElevateMeD Inc. Scottsdale, AZ Nominated by Operator Jeff Myles |
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Ethos Classical Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Rodney Johnson |
Empower 225 Baton Rouge, LA Nominated by Operator Corey Teem |
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV Nominated by Operator Dave Taplin |
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Atlantic |
Midwest |
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Wash Away Unemployment New Bern, NC Nominated by Operator Tom Pike |
Midtown Educational Foundation Chicago, IL Nominated by Operator Rob Meier |
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Charleston County Parks Foundation Charleston, SC Nominated by Operator Jason Williams |
Dutton Farm Rochester Hills, MI Nominated by Operator Blake Dennard |
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Peacemakers of Rocky Mount Rocky Mount, NC Nominated by Operator Bill Lehnes |
MidCity Excellence Community Learning Center St. Joseph, MO Nominated by Operator Ruthie Seitz |
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Lighthouse Academy Louisville, KY Nominated by Operator Matt Brigga |
Life Remodeled Detroit, MI Nominated by Operator Luca Chit |
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Northeast |
Southeast |
|
Techie Youth Group Rego Park, NY Nominated by Operator Joe Hawkins |
Share the Magic Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Charlie Crews |
|
Cornerstones Inc. Reston, VA Nominated by Operator Larry Everett |
Agape Youth & Family Center Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator John Diamond |
|
Buffalo City Mission Buffalo, NY Nominated by Operator Cassandra Sheedy |
City of Refuge Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Quincy Springs |
|
Inspire Sports Camps Maywood, NJ Nominated by Operator Ken Walsh |
Ethos Classical Atlanta, GA Nominated by Operator Rodney Johnson |
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Southwest |
West |
|
Generation One Houston, TX Nominated by Operator Becky Chin |
College Success Foundation Bellevue, WA Nominated by Operator Lynnae Schneller |
|
Hope Farm Fort Worth, TX Nominated by Operator Wayne Hassler |
Vine Maple Place Maple Valley, WA Nominated by Operator Marc Schuh |
|
Arlington Life Shelter Arlington, TX Nominated by Operator Tiffany Hassler |
ElevateMeD Inc. Scottsdale, AZ Nominated by Operator Jeff Myles |
|
Empower 225 Baton Rouge, LA Nominated by Operator Corey Teem |
Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV Nominated by Operator Dave Taplin |
Meet past winners
Read inspiring stories of previous True Inspiration Awards recipients who are finding solutions to issues facing their communities.
