BGCTNV receives building community fund grant from Papa Johns Foundation

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley is proud to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from the Papa Johns Foundation’s Building Community Fund. This generous funding has provided critical support to the organization’s YouthForce program, which prepares local teens for future success through hands-on workforce development opportunities.

Thanks to this grant, 92 Boys & Girls Club members participated in a variety of impactful career-readiness experiences, including career exploration, soft skills and employment training, internships, work-based learning opportunities, and technical training camps. These activities are designed to equip teens with the tools, confidence, and knowledge they need to succeed in today’s workforce.

YouthForce continues to thrive as a dynamic and impactful program, and the ongoing support from the Papa Johns Foundation plays a key role in its success. With their investment, the program is able to empower young people across East Tennessee to discover career paths, develop essential life skills, and build brighter futures.

The program was nominated by Papa Johns franchise partner Chris Coffey, CEO – Home Run, Inc, who owns and operates Papa Johns restaurants in the Knoxville area.

“We are deeply grateful to Papa John’s of Knoxville and the Papa Johns Foundation for Building Community for this generous grant. This $25,000 investment directly supports our YouthForce program, which prepares teens with the skills and confidence to step into future career paths. Thanks to partners like Papa John’s, we can continue empowering young people across the region, creating brighter futures and a stronger community for us all,” said Bart McFadden, President & CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Tennessee Valley.

In 2021, the Papa Johns Foundation launched the Building Community Fund, which empowers U.S. franchise partners to support their communities by nominating local organizations addressing one or more of the Foundation’s focus areas – youth leadership and entrepreneurship, and food insecurity. The Papa Johns Foundation has invested more than $5 million in local franchise communities since launching the Building Community Fund in 2021.

“At Papa John’s, we believe in supporting organizations that strengthen communities and open doors for future generations,” said Chris Coffey, CEO – Home Run, Inc. at Papa John’s of Knoxville, TN. “I started working here at Papa Johns as a delivery driver 31 years ago. It’s such a pleasure to give back to the community that helped our business grow strong. So, we are thrilled to partner with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley through our Building Community Grant to support their YouthForce program. By investing in college and workforce readiness, we’re helping young people gain valuable skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in their careers and beyond.”

Since 2021, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been awarded over 120 grants to support local Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide with the funding total of over $882,500. The support from the Papa Johns Foundation’s Building Community Fund will make a significant impact on the future of Boys & Girls Clubs which currently serves over 3 million youth across the globe, empowering them to become leaders who will contribute to the long-term success and growth of their communities.

For more information about the Papa Johns Foundation’s partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and its commitment to youth and community development, visit our partnership page.
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Papa Johns Foundation supports U.S.-based organizations focused on youth leadership & entrepreneurship and food insecurity. Since launching in 2019, the foundation has invested $13.7 million in nonprofit organizations serving local communities.