Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption

Non-profit OrganizationsOhio, United States51-200 Employees

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a national nonprofit public charity focused on increasing the number of adoptions for children in North America's foster care systems. Created by Wendy’s founder Dave Thomas, who was adopted, the organization operates evidence-based, results-driven programs and works to raise awareness of foster care adoption. Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, it provides resources to employers and families and offers grants to adoption agencies to hire and train recruiters under its Wendy’s Wonderful Kids model.

The Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program supports child-centered recruitment to secure permanent homes for children in foster care, with demonstrated effectiveness for long-standing cases, older youth, siblings, and those with special needs. The foundation also maintains a free library of resources to help families navigate adoption, including Finding Forever Families: A Step-by-Step Guide to Adoption and Strengthen Your Forever Family: A Step-by-Step Guide to Post-Adoption. It engages in public service announcements, social media campaigns, articles, events, sponsorships, and more to raise awareness. In 2025, the foundation expanded its Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program across Tennessee through partnerships with Youth Villages and the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

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