2026 Annual Report

As experienced foster parents, Adam and Shannon have learned the importance of connection and belonging for children in foster care.

“We had about 23 kids in and out of our home in the last four years,” said Shannon. “My favorite thing is that we get all these kids in our home, and they can sit at our table and relate to one another.”

So, when Adam and Shannon were presented with the opportunity to open their home to Allison and Austin as a foster placement, they didn’t hesitate.

“We just really hit it off,” said Shannon about their first meeting with the siblings.

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids recruiter Mikayla had joined the team of child welfare professionals working with Austin and Allison when they were living with Adam and Shannon. In getting to know the family, it didn’t take long for Mikayla to see that they belonged together.

To advance our mission, the Foundation believes it is not just about building an approach that finds forever homes for the longest-waiting children in foster care. It is about understanding the needs and lived experiences of the children and youth we serve, improving access for families who want to adopt from foster care and building an organization that supports the broader child welfare community in the U.S. and Canada.

This is why the Foundation’s strategic priorities and signature programs are grounded in research and created with a racial equity lens.

Read the full annual report to learn more about how we are advancing these priorities in partnership with our caring community of supporters.

In a tremendous act of generosity that will leave a legacy of love, Dr. Bob Bush set up an endowment for the Foundation after selling his family home in San Francisco.

The William E. Shay – Robert A. Bush Jr. Fund honors both Bob’s commitment to our mission, as well as the lived experience of his good friend Bill.

Bill was adopted at a young age and always knew that foster care and adoption were important causes to his parents. When his parents passed, Bill researched organizations to which loved ones could donate in memoriam. That’s when he learned about the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

Bill recognizes the advantages he had by being adopted by devoted parents at an early age, and he wants to give back to children who haven’t had that same kind of support in their childhood.

“Everyone deserves a loving, stable home,” Bill said. “It’s the best way to help a child have the best chance to thrive.”

Bob loves that the Foundation is addressing an urgent, but often overlooked, national crisis, while remaining committed to values of inclusivity and belonging.

“Seeing an organization where that was a core value is important,” Bob said.

Thank you to Dr. Bush for your incredible gift, and to Bill for spreading awareness of the Foundation’s mission!

For as long as the Foundation has been working to achieve Dave Thomas’ vision of a permanent home and a loving family for every child, the Wendy’s family has been there to support us.

United by the commitment of our shared founder, we are continually grateful for their dedication to our mission.

Together, The Wendy’s Company, Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc., franchisees, suppliers, employees and customers raised a total of more than $21 million during our 2026 fiscal year benefiting the Foundation. Restaurant campaigns educate customers about the urgent need for foster care adoption and offer them an easy way to help by purchasing Boo! Books^® and Frosty^® Key Tags and Rounding Up for Adoption at the register. Every dollar donated means more children will experience special memories in a permanent home.

“We couldn’t do this work without our partners in the Wendy’s family! From The Wendy’s Company, franchise owners to restaurant crews, suppliers and customers … together, we are cementing the legacy of Dave Thomas and changing lives every step of the way.” — Rita Soronen

For years, friends and partners across the Wendy’s system have gathered to raise funds for the Foundation at The Dave Golf Classic.

This year, the event was hosted by Quality Supply Chain Co-Op, Inc. (QSCC), and their continued commitment to the Foundation played a key role in the event’s success.

QSCC also contributes to the Foundation through payroll deduction, matching gift opportunities for employees, the Frosty^® 5K, Partnership Summit and more.

Since 2011, QSCC has raised more than $6.4 million benefiting our mission, including $1.3 million through this year’s golf tournament.

Additionally, for nearly 10 straight years, QSCC has been recognized on the Foundation’s 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list for providing first-in-class benefits, including financial reimbursement and paid leave, to employees who chose to grow their families through adoption.

Thank you, QSCC, for the life-changing difference your partnership makes!

This spring, Smash Park — a social entertainment venue with locations in Ohio, Iowa, Nevada and Minnesota — supported the Foundation through two special fundraising promotions.

In April, they donated a portion of their brunch sales, and during National Foster Care Month, they created a specialty beverage with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the Foundation.

“Smash Park is all about bringing people together,” said Monty Lockyear, Co-Founder and CEO of Smash Park. “The opportunity to have fun and support a mission that helps children in foster care have the sense of belonging we all need was a no-brainer for us. We’re honored to have helped the Foundation this year!”

Thank you, Smash Park!

The Foundation earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, recognizing our commitment to good governance, financial transparency and other best practices and is proud to be a part of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, a GuideStar Platinum participant and a CharityWatch Top-Rated Charity. View the U.S. statements of financial position on pages 18–19 of the Annual Report.

4.1% Management and General

5.9% Fundraising

90% Program Services, including:

Wendy’s Wonderful Kids: $31,865,905
Adoption-Friendly Workplace: $394,754
Program Grants & Awareness Programs: $59,354,527
National Adoption Day/Month: $32,906
Post-Adoption: $1,651,439