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Funding to Support Foster Youth
Orangewood Foundation is proud to announce it has been selected as a recipient of a 2025 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. The funding will support Orangewood’s Independent Living Program (ILP), which equips transitional-aged youth (ages 18 –24) exiting foster care with job readiness training, financial literacy, and independent living skills through workshops, case management, and career exploration experiences, helping youth in Orange County access the resources needed for a successful transition to adulthood.
“This grant from the Taco Bell Foundation is a powerful investment in the futures of young people exiting the foster care system,” said Chris Simonsen, CEO, Orangewood Foundation. “With this support, we can continue providing critical life skills, job readiness training, and educational resources to help youth build self-sufficient, fulfilling lives. We’re deeply grateful for the Foundation’s belief in our mission and for standing alongside us as we help these young adults navigate their path to independence.”
Taco Bell Foundation’s Record-Breaking Grant Program and Community-Driven Nomination
The Taco Bell Foundation awarded a record-breaking $28 million in Community Grants this year to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide. 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.
Orangewood was nominated for the grant by a Taco Bell Foundation employee, whose continued commitment to uplifting youth has helped expand access to education, mentorship, and career readiness programs across the community.
“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.”
Expanded Services and Impact Through Grant Funding
Through this grant, Orangewood will be able to expand access to individualized case management and life skills workshops for transitional-aged youth, increasing the number of participants who receive personalized support on their path to education, employment, and housing stability. In the last year alone, ILP served 841 youth through workshops and trainings, with 192 receiving one-on-one case management. The funding will also help extend services to youth who do not meet ILP eligibility criteria but face similar challenges, ensuring more young people have the opportunity to build independent, fulfilling futures.
About Taco Bell Foundation
Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that empowers the next generation to pursue their passions by breaking down barriers to education and providing resources to help young people chase their boldest ambitions. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached nearly 9 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $203 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit www.tacobellfoundation.org.
“With this support, we can continue providing critical life skills, job readiness training, and educational resources to help youth build self-sufficient, fulfilling lives.”
Chris Simonsen, CEO, Orangewood Foundation
