The Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, with flags on its roof

Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 31-1807834

The Wendys Foundation

A private foundation in Dublin, OH. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 23 grants and $312,500 paid in grants.

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Accepts applications

The return gives an application contact and rules, as below.

Contact
Liliana M Esposito
One Dave Thomas BLVD
Dublin, OH 43017
(614) 764-3100
Form and materials
Written request with background literature included for the prospective donee charitable organization.
Deadlines
None
Restrictions
Organization must be a qualified IRC Sec. 501c 3 organization.

Assets and giving by year

6 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.
  • Tax year 2025

    $312,500

    Grants listed
    23
    Assets, end of year
    $462,245
  • Tax year 2024

    $393,300

    Grants listed
    21
    Assets, end of year
    $516,104
  • Tax year 2023

    $330,000

    Grants listed
    25
    Assets, end of year
    $780,644
  • Tax year 2022

    $427,500

    Grants listed
    28
    Assets, end of year
    $1,032,412
  • Tax year 2021

    $375,000

    Grants listed
    21
    Assets, end of year
    $1,398,094
  • Tax year 2020

    $965,000

    Grants listed
    36
    Assets, end of year
    $1,284,756

Grants paid in 2025

23 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Dave Thomas Foundation for AdoptionDublin, OH

    To dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North Americas foster care system.

    $175,000
  2. MidOhio Food CollectiveGrove City, OH

    To end hunger one nourishing meal at a time while co-creating sustainable communities where everyone thrives.

    $25,000
  3. Columbus Urban League EmpowermentColumbus, OH

    To empower African Americans and underrepresented groups through economic educational and social progress.

    $15,000
  4. Columbus Urban League HerStoryColumbus, OH

    To empower African Americans and underrepresented groups through economic educational and social progress.

    $10,000
  5. Alicias ClosetDublin, OH

    To create a brighter future for families affected by foster care by building community of support to provide essential resources and responsive programming.

    $10,000
  6. Northern Illinois FoodbankGeneva, IL

    To provide nutritious food and resources for our neighbors with dignity equity and convenience through partnerships and innovation.

    $7,500
  7. Central Community HouseColumbus, OH

    This organization is a comprehensive neighborhood-based community center that has been serving the near east side of Columbus Ohio in the settlement house tradition since 1936. Our mission is to empower people to reach their full potential to be self-supporting and to live cooperatively with all others.

    $5,000
  8. Harvest to HopeFort Worth, TX

    Serves kids and families in Title I schools in Fort Worth TX. They provide snack packs to kids in school and focus on their development.

    $5,000
  9. Kaleidoscope Youth CenterColumbus, OH

    For youth across the spectrums of sexual orientation and gender identity to live healthy whole lives with acceptance and freedom from oppression.

    $5,000
  10. MY Project USAColumbus, OH

    To be a catalyst for protecting and empowering youth by uplifting families througheducation social services civic engagement and advocacy.

    $5,000
  11. Proyecto MariposasColumbus, OH

    Provides an environment of learning sharing and support to Latina Girls and their mothers.

    $5,000
  12. Shepherds Corner Ecology CenterBlacklick, OH

    Invites others to join with us in experiencing the joys and responsibilities of caring for land life and spirit. Inspiring others to become shepherds of creation in their own corners of the world.

    $5,000
  13. Star House FoundationColumbus, OH

    Do whatever it takes to lift youth out of homelessness and into a community of hope.

    $5,000
  14. ForKids IncChesapeake, VA

    Breaking the cycle of homelessness and poverty.

    $5,000
  15. Honor Flight ColumbusWorthington, OH

    To honor Americas senior veterans with a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the nations memorials. To help them share their stories. To celebrate and affirm their service and homecoming.

    $5,000
  16. Kids Mental Health FoundationColumbus, OH

    To give expert-created resources and tools to all U.S. communities so that everyone can understand and promote mental health for children.

    $5,000
  17. The Ohio State University FoundationColumbus, OH

    To raise funds and manage endowments and planned gifts for the benefit of The Ohio State University

    $5,000
  18. Canine Companions North Central Training CenterNew Albany, OH

    A national organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained service dogs at no charge to the recipient.

    $2,500
  19. Families FlourishColumbus, OH

    Offers a 3-year program that transforms the lives of low-wage working families and their children by providing a comprehensive path to economic mobility and wellness. This is accomplished through life coaching rent support and monthly required programs that promote housing and economic stability career advancement and generational change for their children.

    $2,500
  20. Urban PeakDenver, CO

    To ignite the potential in youth to exit homelessness and create self-determined fulfilled lives.

    $2,500
  21. Casa ValentinaMiami, FL

    To provide at-risk and former foster care youth with safe affordable housing life skills and continued support so that they can achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.

    $2,500
  22. Go PantryFlorence, KY

    To provide food to Northern Kentucky children on days schools are not open.As a secondary mission we have found a way to involve many people with volunteer and giving opportunities.

    $2,500
  23. Raise the FutureDenver, CO

    To connect youth waiting in foster care with the adults who become stable forces in their lives and to support those relationships so that they last for a lifetime.

    $2,500

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Human services3 grants $10,00020% of the total
  2. Youth development2 grants $10,00020% of the total
  3. Housing and shelter2 grants $7,50015% of the total
  4. Arts and culture1 grant $5,00010% of the total
  5. Education1 grant $5,00010% of the total
  6. Mental health1 grant $5,00010% of the total
  7. 2 other causes2 grants $7,50015% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Ohio16 grants $285,000
  2. Illinois1 grant $7,500
  3. Colorado2 grants $5,000
  4. Texas1 grant $5,000
  5. Virginia1 grant $5,000
  6. Florida1 grant $2,500
  7. Kentucky1 grant $2,500

Officers, directors and trustees

4 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Aaron KaleTreasurer Hours 1Pay $0
  • Liliana M EspositoPresident Hours 1Pay $0
  • Ken CookChief Executive Officer Hours 1Pay $0
  • Mark JohnsonSecretary Hours 1Pay $0

The return

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