Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Received Major Gift from MacKenzie Scott

Posted on March 30, 2022

Foundation focused on finding forever families for children in foster care

Columbus, Ohio — The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption received an unconditional, multi-million dollar donation from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott to help advance its mission of dramatically increasing the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster care systems.

“We are beyond grateful to Ms. Scott for supporting the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and for sharing our belief that every child deserves a permanent home and a loving family,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO. “Her incredible generosity will enable the Foundation to advance its commitment to equity and social justice, serving more of our nation’s most vulnerable children in foster care who simply want what we all want — a family.”

With Ms. Scott’s gift, the Foundation will continue expanding the reach and impact of its national awareness campaigns and programs, such as Wendy’s Wonderful Kids®, Adoption-Friendly WorkplaceTM and National Adoption Day.

Through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, the Foundation supports the hiring of adoption professionals, known as recruiters, who serve children most at risk of aging out of foster care without a permanent family. A rigorous, five-year national evaluation by Child Trends revealed that a child referred to Wendy’s Wonderful Kids is up to three times more likely to be adopted. Through the program, nearly 12,000 children across the United States and Canada now have loving, permanent homes.

More than 180 organizations have been recognized on the Foundation’s Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces list for their commitment to supporting families who expand their family through adoption. And National Adoption Day, a program co-founded by the Foundation and a coalition of partners that opens courthouses during special hours to finalize foster care adoptions, is celebrating its 22nd year and more than 75,000 adoptions.

“This gift will change the lives of thousands of children,” said Joe Turner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Sun Management and chair of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption’s board of trustees. “It’s an honor for the Foundation to be included in Ms. Scott’s charitable giving alongside so many other highly respected nonprofits. We will work diligently to ensure these funds are put to the best possible use.”


About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity dedicated to finding permanent families for the more than 140,000 children waiting in North America’s foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s® founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the Foundation implements evidence-based, results-driven national service programs, foster care adoption awareness campaigns and innovative grantmaking. To learn more, visit davethomasfoundation.org.

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