$10 Million Dollars, 1,000+ Scholars and a Whole Lot of Tacos - the Taco Bell Foundation Is Fueling Pathways to Higher Education

Rhea-AI Summary

The Taco Bell Foundation announced its largest investment yet in the Live Más Scholarship program, awarding a total of $10 million to over 1,000 students. Of this, $7 million will go to Taco Bell fans and $3 million to Taco Bell team members. Scholarships range from $5,000 to $25,000 per recipient. Unique to this program, students are selected based on a two-minute video showcasing their passions rather than traditional academic criteria. Notably, this year's top winners also receive Taco Bell gift cards. The initiative is funded by customer donations and Taco Bell franchisees. The program promotes diversity, supporting students from various educational paths, and includes a new Alumni Leadership Council.

Positive

• The Taco Bell Foundation is awarding $10 million in scholarships, the largest investment in the program's history.
• More than 1,000 students will benefit from the scholarships, promoting educational opportunities.
• The scholarship program's selection process focuses on passion and personal aspirations, encouraging a diverse range of applicants.
• Scholarships range from $5,000 to $25,000 per recipient, providing substantial financial support.
• A new Alumni Leadership Council has been introduced to foster engagement and elevate narratives.
• The scholarship program includes a unique Summer of Connection conference to cultivate career skills and connections.

Negative

• No negative financial or business aspects were highlighted in the press release that could impact the company or shareholders.

In its ninth year of the Live Más Scholarship program, The Taco Bell Foundation is investing in the future success of young people across the country.

Taco Bell blog

IRVINE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 15, 2024 / The Taco Bell Foundation announced it is awarding $10 million in Live Más Scholarships, providing over 1,000 passion-driven students with resources to fuel their educational dreams. Of the $10 million, $7 million will go to Taco Bell fans nationwide and $3 million will go to Taco Bell restaurant team members. Scholarship award amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000 per recipient.

For the first time in the scholarship's history, Taco Bell will be celebrating this year's new $25,000 winners by providing a Taco Bell gift card to fuel up on tacos during the upcoming school year. And that's not the only thing unique about this scholarship. Forgoing grades, essays, and test scores, this one-of-a-kind passion-based scholarship allows students aged 16-26 to highlight their passion and educational aspirations through a two-minute video. This year's class is comprised of students with a wide variety of passions and nontraditional paths, with numerous scholars attending community college, vocational or trade schools.

"The Live Más Scholarship cultivates a passionate community of diverse individuals united by their shared commitment to breaking down barriers for the causes they believe in," said Jennifer Bradbury, Executive Director of the Taco Bell Foundation. "The unwavering passion exhibited by these students never ceases to amaze us. We provide them with pathways to access new opportunities and resources, empowering them to create the change they envision."

This program shows that a little kindness goes a long way. Scholarships awarded to fans are funded 100% by customers through the Taco Bell Foundation's Round Up fundraiser, in which the average donation is 44 cents. Team member scholarships are funded by donations from Taco Bell Corp. and Taco Bell Franchisees.

• Gracie S.: Inspired by athletics since a young age, Gracie quickly grew tired of hearing "you're just a girl," in response to her big ambitions in the sports world. She developed a nonprofit organization called "Girls on the Mound" designed to aid young women through the male-dominated sports business industry. Gracie is a Taco Bell team member and received a once in a lifetime surprise from her sports idol Davante Adams when the wide receiver surprised her with the scholarship at his Las Vegas football camp in April. Gracie aspires to further her education in business management and marketing, while also breaking barriers for women passionate about sports.
• Ethan C.: Ethan is a passionate storyteller who is currently studying Film Production at Chapman University. Growing up in a multicultural household, he developed a keen eye for untold stories in everyday life. From personal family documentaries to a film shedding light on racial injustice, his broad scope of work aims to share narratives other than just his own. He hopes his continued education in filmmaking will allow him to communicate authentic messaging and share transformative stories to bring hope to and unite people.

This year also marks the launch of the Live Más Scholarship Alumni Leadership Council, a group of twelve alumni leaders who will undertake a year-long commitment to drive engagement, amplify stories, elevate narratives and foster relationships throughout the Taco Bell Foundation board. Scholars will also have the opportunity to travel to San Diego to attend the Live Más Scholarship Summer of Connection this July, a one-of-a-kind conference designed to cultivate career skills and connections.

About Taco Bell Foundation
Taco Bell Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) public charity that helps break down barriers to educate and inspire the next generation of America's young leaders. Since 1992, the Taco Bell Foundation has reached more than 5 million young people across the country and has awarded more than $155 million in grants and scholarships, focused on education and career readiness. For more information about the Taco Bell Foundation, visit www.tacobellfoundation.org.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: Yum! Brands
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Yum! Brands

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is the Taco Bell Foundation's Live Más Scholarship program?

The Live Más Scholarship program by the Taco Bell Foundation provides scholarships to students based on their passions and personal aspirations, rather than traditional academic criteria.

How much is the Taco Bell Foundation awarding in scholarships in 2024?

In 2024, the Taco Bell Foundation is awarding $10 million in scholarships.

How are the Live Más Scholarship recipients selected?

Recipients are selected based on a two-minute video showcasing their passions and educational aspirations.

What are the scholarship amounts provided by the Live Más Scholarship program?

Scholarship amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000 per recipient.

Who funds the scholarships awarded by the Taco Bell Foundation?

Scholarships are funded by customer donations through the Taco Bell Foundation's Round Up fundraiser and donations from Taco Bell Corp. and franchisees.

What is unique about this year's Live Más Scholarship awards?

This year, top scholarship winners also receive a Taco Bell gift card in addition to their financial award.

What is the Live Más Scholarship Alumni Leadership Council?

It is a new initiative where twelve alumni leaders commit to a year-long role to drive engagement and elevate narratives within the Taco Bell Foundation.

What event will Live Más Scholarship recipients attend in July?

Scholars will attend the Live Más Scholarship Summer of Connection conference in San Diego to cultivate career skills and connections.