2023 The Year in Review

As we reflect on the past year, the Guy Fieri Foundation is proud to share the impactful strides we've made in supporting communities, fostering culinary education, and aiding those in need. In 2023, our commitment to empowering individuals and communities through food and education remained at the forefront of our initiatives.

Culinary Grants and Scholarships:

The Foundation awarded grants and scholarships to aspiring chefs and culinary students, providing financial support to pursue their dreams in the culinary world.  Our culinary grant program helped students in schools in throughout California, Florida and new this year, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our scholarship program also expanded this year.  We partnered with multiple schools from high school to college and ensuring those students interested in pursuing their culinary education had an opportunity to apply.  Our continued support of the California Restaurant Foundation to provide 4 students a continuing education scholarship continues to be a great success.  We also created our first two scholarships for the University of Nevada Las Vegas Hospitality College, which is the alma mater of our Founder, his son, and the Executive Director of the Foundation.

We believe in supporting the next generation of students wanting to be a part of the Restaurant, Hospitality, and Culinary Industry and will continue to do so through these grants and scholarships.

Read on Sonoma Literacy Program

The Accelerated Reader Program through Renaissance Learning is the tool we use to practice and support reading in our classrooms. So far, our students have already read 15,491 books, which is an average of 14 books per student (this is up from 10 books on average this time last school year!

These accomplishments reaffirm our belief that Readers become Leaders, and we are honored to witness the motivation, hard work, and joy our Read On Sonoma students bring to their reading goals.  We are actively working towards increasing our partnering school sites in Sonoma County, broadening our impact on literacy within the community.

Honoring our Heroes Program

Our Honoring Heroes Program took us around the country allowing us to feed our Active Military, Veterans, First Responders and their families by honoring them with food and festivities for a day, by bringing our mobile kitchen and having our network of chefs and culinary teams provide them meals of appreciation. It is a day filled with respect and honor for all they do protecting and serving our communities.  It is an honor to serve those that protect and serve us each and every day!

Community Support:

Partnering with local organizations, the foundation established community outreach throughout the year including back to school programs, feeding thousands of underserved community members during the holidays by partnering with the Salvation Army, Redwood Gospel Mission, and local first responder departments, and providing toys, clothes, and other gift items to make sure families would have a Christmas.

We also supported like-minded foundations including the Special Olympics, National Down Syndrome Society, Future Farmers of America and 4H, that impact the lives of so many diverse and deserving people.  We did that through financial donations, volunteering, and social awareness doing anything we can do to support each other.  We are Better Together!

Collaborative Partnerships were a big part of our year to help expand our reach not only to communities near and far, but also grow new partners and sponsors to grow in size the lives we touch. We collaborated with great corporate partners including a new relationship with Macys, and a continued relationship with Walmart, Chef Works, Camp Chef, Workday, Graton Casino, Ergo Knives, Bona Furtuna, Freightliner, Ole Hickory Pits, and Carnival Cruise Line and so many more.Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Fundraising:

Chefs for Maui Fundraiser was a highly successful fundraising event that brought together chefs, celebrities, and philanthropists to celebrate food and raise funds for the people and restaurant workers of Maui.  Through on line auctions, silent auctions, live auctions, and generous donations, we were able to raise over $1,500,000.00.  We distributed the money directly on the island with the help of the Salvation Army and the Hawaii Restaurant Association.  This money was distributed to the people of Maui and those affected by the wildfires in August of 2023.

In addition, we had our 1st ever National First Responders Day Battle of the Badges Police vs Fire Softball Tournament to raise money for their charities.  It was a great success and a family fun day bringing the community together to support great causes and good times.

Our Stats

10,000 + meals served in 2023

4,700 + VOLUNTEER HOURS

735 people Volunteered

26,000 + People Impacted by our programs

$100,000 + Grants and Scholarships given

Future Vision:

As we look ahead, the Guy Fieri Foundation remains dedicated to expanding its reach and impact. Plans for the upcoming year include:

Expanding our Culinary Education Programs:

We are expanding our culinary arts programs to schools that are in need of a kickstart, and a hand up to continue to excite students about food, cooking, and education. 

Continued Community Engagement:

Strengthening our connections with local communities, understanding their unique needs, and tailoring our initiatives to create lasting positive change.

Expansion of Disaster Relief Trailer Program:

Support the thousands of First Responders dedicated to disaster relief by expanding the fleet of our Mobile Kitchen Trailer for the East Coast and a coffee trailer to support those commuities in need during the natural disasters happening around the country.  Create a volunteer program in cities around the country that will support our culinary team and allow us to expand our support to communities around the country.

Fundraising and Program Awareness:

Increase awareness about the foundation through mulitple fundraising events throughout the year, including but not limited to on-line auctions, Guy Fieri Foundation Webstore, Chefs for Cause Events, and other creative avenues to be able to raise funds.

In conclusion, all of our Programs are supported by every day people and companies through donations, volunteering your time, and donation of goods and services.  To contribute please click here

The Guy Fieri Foundation extends its gratitude to all supporters, partners, and volunteers who have played a crucial role in making these achievements possible. Together, we look forward to a future where the transformative power of food and education continues to uplift individuals and communities around the country. On behalf of Guy and the entire Guy Fieri Foundation Team, THANK YOU!

To get involved in our programs and learn how you can help us with our Mission, please go to our PROGRAMS page (click here) and also follow us on our socials through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @GuysFoundation