Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Adopted at just six weeks old, Dave Thomas had a heart for building families through adoption. In 1992, the Wendy’s founder started the Dave Thomas Foundation with one powerful mission: to dramatically increase the number of adoptions from foster care because every child deserves a safe, loving, and permanent family. 

When you visit a Wendy’s restaurant, you are doing more than purchasing quality food in a customer-focused environment. You’re helping some of the country’s most vulnerable kids––the more than 125,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care. The Foundation is committed to supporting adoption through the following events and campaigns:

• Building awareness about foster care adoption with National Adoption Day, founded by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Alliance for Children’s Rights and Children’s Action Network
• Promoting an adoption-friendly workplace with adoption benefits including paid time off, bonding leave, and financial assistance for each adopted child
• Fundraising in local restaurants with items such as the Snap Cup, "Fill a Home with Love" Pin-Up campaign, Boo! Books™, Frosty® Key Tags, and counter change canisters
• Issuing grants to adoption agencies to hire and train specialized recruiters through the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids® program, an evidence-based, child-focused program that triples a foster child’s chances of being placed in a permanent home 

With these initiatives, the Dave Thomas Foundation has helped more than 9,000 children get adopted into loving homes. But until every child finds a permanent family, the work will not be done. As Dave Thomas always said, “These children are not someone else’s responsibility. They are our responsibility.” Wendy’s continues to make Dave’s legacy a priority.  

The Wenco Connection 

The Dave Thomas Foundation helps boys and girls throughout the Ashland area, Ohio, and the country, valuing a strong connection among local organizations and a national mission to help children. Wenco Wendy’s Franchises host major fundraisers, the largest one being The Wendy’s Golf Classic.

With fun, Frosty's, and an opportunity to golf with celebrities, this annual event brings the community together for a memory-making day on the green. Since the establishment of this golf outing, our community has raised over a quarter-million dollars for area charities, making a lasting difference in kids’ lives.

Learn more about The Wendy's Golf Classic